Kickstarting New Ross committee names priorities

Job creation and the development of tourism and leisure activities in New Ross are among the top priorities County Wexford Chamber has for the town.

Addressing the New Ross Municipal District meeting by video link, County Wexford Chamber CEO Fiona Lewis said there are four priorities for New Ross. Ms Lewis said there is a very active committee in New Ross who are pushing for the renewal of the town centre, maximizing the potential of the river Barrow and attracting foreign direct investment into the town and developing tourism and the potential of the South

East Greenway.

Ms Lewis said: ‘We have worked with Invest Wexford pre- Covid and hope to be back onto them after the emergency.’

A sub-committee has been formed to develop a kickstaring New Ross strategy. Sean Connick is over tourism, Tomás Kavanagh is responsible for all things cultural and, at the meeting, councillors Michael Whelan, Michael Sheehan and Anthony Connick were all voted and approved to contribute to the group, which also features municipal district manager Mick

McCormack, district engineer Eili Furlong, and Chamber representatives Ms Lewis and Mary Browne. Cllr Whelan said New Ross is a step behind other towns, adding that the committee had to get up and running within days. District director Eamonn Hore said New Ross is ahead of some other Co Wexford towns with the shopfront scheme up and running. ‘€10,000 realises a €20,000 spend because it’s on a 50/50 basis,’ he said.

Mr McCormack said the €10,000 will see shop fronts improved and investment in street furniture or an awning – describing the fund as an early ‘win’.