Long awaited car park in centre of Enniscorthy expected to open by the end of the month

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Although there may be some debate regarding its official name, the new Murphy Floods car park in Enniscorthy is set to open by the end of the month. Bringing 37 spaces to the centre of the town, the car park includes pedestrian linkages to both the Main Street via a set of concrete steps and a pathway/ramp to the Dunnes Stores side.

Announcing details of its opening at the July meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD) district manager Claire Lawless caused some confusion when she referred to it by its official title.

“The new Barrack Street car park should be ready to open by the end of the month,” she confirmed.

“Where has the Barrack St name come from?" asked Councillor Jackser Owens. “As far as I’m concerned it’s Murphy Floods car park and it always will be Murphy Floods car park.”

“Everyone is going to call it Murphy Floods anyway,” said Cllr Aidan Browne, “some people might even be offended if it has a different name.”

“We’ll always call it Murphy Floods, regardless of its official title,” added cathaoirleach Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy. “That’s what people remember it as, Murphy Floods represents many different events in their lives, that will never change.”

After Ms Lawless said she would amend the name to reflect the councillors’ wishes, Cllr John O’Rourke suggested the new space be utilised for some of the town’s businesses.

“Have we engaged with the members of the farmer’s market with a view to moving to the Murphy Floods car park on Saturdays?” he asked. “It would increase footfall from the centre of the town, it would be a great move considering we are a market town. It would create an ambience which would draw people to the area.”

Seconding this proposal, Cllr Owens requested one further addition to the car park.

“The farmer’s market has been 15 years in the Abbey Centre and it would be a great move to bring them up there. We need public toilets there too, but we probably haven’t got the funding.”

Ms Lawless said she would contact the members of the farmer’s market with a view to relocating the weekly event to Murphy Floods before confirming Cllr Owens’ suspicions regarding further facilities.

“We don’t have funding for a public toilet but we will keep it in mind for the car park,” she said.