Street Focus group reveal ambitious plan for New Ross
NEW ROSS Street Focus group launched the second run of their free walking guide and a new plaque highlighting the history of Rosbercon in St Michael’s Theatre on Wednesday night.
Street Focus group founder Pete Caulfield congratulated Myles Courtney on the group’s Facebook page, describing it as brilliant. Pete thanked the Dunbrody Visitor Centre, the Brandon House Hotel, St Michael’s Theatre and Design Nut for their support of the event and work on the booklet which has had two 5,000 print runs. The guide outlines New Ross’s history and heritage – hidden in plain street around the streets.
Myles said the New Ross Street Focus Facebook page has been growing rapidly with 1539 followers, adding that it has 840 Twitter followers. ‘Our social media presence is used to educate, inform and promote the history and heritage of New Ross.’
He said the group is voluntarlily run and unfunded. ‘Our Twitter activity attempts to network with social media influencers nationally and internationally to promote New Ross and all its attractions. We are doing so in the absence of any dedicated tourism body in our immediate locality. It’s nice to see the appearance of Visit New Ross though.’
Myles said the group are aware of how successfully groups in other towns have used social media to publicise and promote their areas and attractions. ‘ The key to their success have been funding and training, but also the fact that local groups, businesses and people have become interested in assisting them in the efforts and like, share and retweet actively.’
New Ross abounds in history and heritage, he said. ‘ There are treasures about you as you walk the streets. Until recently many lacked a bit of lustre, but thanks to the efforts of the municipal district council, the tidy towns committee, local businesses and individuals a shine and sparkle has started to reappear on these treasures.’
He called on any groups with New Ross in their title to promote the town by liking, sharing and re-tweeting messages about the town online. Myles thanked the Dunbrody Visitor Centre, Ros Tapestry, Lacken Hill Trails, Alan Ryan in Colcough Walled Gardens, the JFK Arboretum and Pat Kent for actively supporting the street focus group online. He acknowledged the help of the staff in The Thosel, New Ross Library and Wexford library. ’ We would love to assist any of you who would like to upskill your staff in the history and heritage of our town and give your customers and visitors that little bit of added value. Just contact us and we will help out.’
He surprised Philo Whelan of New Ross Tidy Towns by presenting a new plaque highlighting the 13th century history of Rosbercon. He said money from a €500 award the street focus and tidy towns groups won in the Barrow Awards scheme paid for the plaque.
‘We are delighted to be able to finally have a plaque in Rosbercon,’ he said, while Philo said a second plaque about the Domnican priory is planned.
Dick Fennell said he was delighted to see the Rosbercon area’s history represented in the plaque.
Representing New Ross Chamber of Commerce Lorcan Kinsella said it is extraordinary how much history a comparatively small town like New Ross has. Lorcan praised Pete and Myles saying the street focus group reflects real community values in the town.
Myles praised Municipal District Director Eamonn Hore for being a fantastic help to the group since its foundation. ‘We want to sincerely thank you for all of the help you have been to us. It has meant a hell of a lot to us and I think you have been a credit to the town.’
Eamonn said the groups’ Facebook page is fantastic. ‘Every day or week there is some little gem about New Ross in it. It’s getting it out there that New Ross is a place that’s worth visiting. Thank you for the top class work.’