400 years of history brought to life as Wexford archivist restores records of New Ross meetings from 17th century

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Those with an interest in the history of New Ross and its surrounds can now access records of council meetings dating back almost 400 years.

Described as the “longest unbroken run of (council) minutes in any town in Ireland” the records document meetings from 1658-1965 with further content to follow.

Thanks to the efforts of Wexford county archivist, Grainne Doran, the minutes have been fully digitised and are available to read in full online. The first collection, the New Ross Corporation Minute Books, was originally recorded in Italian longhand and required two specialised transcribers to translate into English.

The second collection, the New Ross Town Commissioners Minute Books, and the third, the New Ross Urban District Council Minute Books, run from 1843-1965 and are also freely available to read at wexfordcountyarchive.com

Back to the present day, and at the monthly meeting of the current New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) councillors commended all those involved in the publication of these historical documents.

“It will make astonishing reading,” said Councillor Pat Barden who couldn’t help but wonder if his regular sparring partner Cllr Michael Sheehan featured in some of the earlier documents.

While Cllr Sheehan didn’t rise to the bait on this occasion he did point out that, at the time, the 1916 Rising was “condemned” by sitting New Ross councillors.

That detail and many others form part of what director of services Eamonn Hore said was the “longest unbroken run of minutes in any town in Ireland.”