Concern over two year delay in €7m centre’s funding
REPEATED delays in a funding round for tourism projects could hold up the planned development of a €7m visitor centre on the quay in New Ross.
A funding application was due to be made in early 2017 but Fáilte Ireland pushed the deadline back a number of times, the latest deadline being early 2019 – two years later than anticipated.
The expansion of the Dunbrody Visitor Centre – which had 66,000 visitors last year – into Michael Murphy’s large building on the quay is still on course to happen, the JFK Trust, which operate the Dunbrody centre, believe.
Dunbrody Experience Visitor Centre CEO Sean Connick said: ‘We would still be hoping to be on schedule for a 2022 opening.’
Mr Connick said the project, which could see the Ros Tapestry move from its current location in an old mill building to a state-of-the-art centre designed by the architects who designed the Titanic Quarter museum, would be great for the town and area.
Mr Connick said: ‘ There has been a lot of negativity on Facebook. The money will not be given to us. It will be grant aided and it will lead to more jobs and an increase in dwell time in New Ross which is great for businesses.’
The delay is linked to the huge take up for the initial funding round, JFK Trust chairman Willie Fitzharris said, adding that he is confident the project will still be completed in 2022.
The plans will involve an extension to the current visitor centre, an upgrade of facilities to the visitor experience and an upgrade, refurbishment and extension of the restaurant and retail areas. Also the purchase of the Murphy furniture building on the quay and its refurbishment into a major visitor attraction - all leading to increased visitor numbers to New Ross and district and increased job opportunities and investment in New Ross. The quay area will be linked more with the town centre, under the plans.