Construction of New Ross Norman Visitor Centre to commence in two months as council remains on track for 2027 deadline

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Construction of the much-anticipated Norman Visitor Centre in New Ross is expected to commence within the next two months after Wexford County Council (WCC) confirmed it has “identified a successful tender” for the project.

Scheduled to be complete by the summer of 2027, the Visitor Centre will be built on the site of the old Bank of Ireland and grain store buildings and include a multi-purpose courtyard and a number of interactive features in the centre itself.

While the final design of the interior of the centre has not yet been revealed, it is expected to b e a “world-class experience which will eventually attract up to 100,000 visitors” to New Ross annually. Expected to honour New Ross’s unique Norman heritage and act as a gateway to the rest of Co Wexford’s historical attractions, the onus is now on WCC to ensure the building is open next year to coincide with the ‘European Year of the Normans’ celebrations which will mark the 1,000th anniversary of William the Conqueror's birth with a series of events across Europe.

Speaking at the April meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD), Sean Meyler of WCC’s special projects team said the project remained on schedule.

“The tenders for the works have been received and we have identified the successful one,” he said. “We just need confirmation of funding before we can award the contract but we will be doing that in the coming weeks. It will take another month after that before we can start work there but, subject to funding, you can expect it to commence in two months’ time.”