First look around new Peace Park
THE ORCHARD PEACE PARK WILL REFLECT THE HISTORY OF THE TOWN AND WILL BE A BIG ASSET
THE new public park in Enniscorthy, the Orchard Peace Park, will be officially opened in May.
Speaking to this newspaper about the facility District Manager, Liz Hore, said the park is ‘95 per cent’ complete and while the exact launch date has not been decided the official opening will coincide with flowers planted on-site coming into bloom.
‘It is 95 per cent completed and there is just a little bit of landscaping to do,’ said Ms Hore.
‘There has been a lot of work done on-site and we hope to launch it in May,’ she added.
Ms Hore said the park will provide a strong link from Irish Street to the Duffry and expects it will be fully utilised by the people of the town.
She also feels the park’s close proximity to the Presentation Centre and St Aidan’s primary school will also prove very beneficial.
It’s hoped the park will be used for events like outdoor recitals and arts activities going forward.
‘It’s a great thing to happen for the town and will be a great amenity,’ said Ms Hore.
The local authority hopes the facility will be used by schools to get pupils to engage with nature while also undertaking outdoor activities.
When asked about the name Ms Hore said it was reflective of the history of that area of the town as there used to be an orchard there belonging to the nuns from the Presentation Centre and there is also a graveyard located close to the site.
The park will have a UN memorial on-site and seven specific trees planted there will reflect the seven signatures on the Irish proclamation.
The park will be one of a number of significant projects being launched in the town and surrounding areas over the coming months.
Kiltealy town and village scheme is due to be launched on Sunday, April 14, while Bree walking trails are due to be launched on May 10, at 7 p.m.
An adventure urban hub will be unveiled in Bunclody on May 3, at 2.30 p.m. and a lot of work has also gone into redeveloping the Enniscorthy town courthouse as a commercial centre.
Ms Hore said the work is ongoing to ensure that Enniscorthy is in a prime position to capitalise after the by-pass is opened.
‘We are looking to have a closer connection to Dublin,’ she said, while also commenting there will be opportunities as a result of Brexit.
While there is ongoing development of the Enniscorthy technology park Ms Hore said that is geared more towards big businesses whereas the courthouse will be ideal for smaller enterprises.
However, it’s expected the local authority will move its local office into the courthouse building for around one year but Ms Hore said there have already been expressions of interest from businesses interested in utilising the facility.
Regarding all of the projects due to be launched she said it’s ‘an exciting time in Enniscorthy’ which has had its struggles and challenges.
‘The economic recession hit hard here but it’s a beautiful town steeped in history,’ she said.
Emphasising the importance of tourism to the town Ms Hore said Enniscorthy has ‘huge potential’ in that regard and the local authority will be working to maximise opportunities for the town going forward.