New Ross to ‘really take off in next couple of years’ as plans to pedestrianise Quay Street unveiled

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Works to pedestrianise New Ross’s Quay Street and continue the “rejuvenation of the town” are expected to commence in mid-2026. Featuring outdoor seating, lighting, and planting, the project will see the entire street paved with “a simple perpendicular banding pattern to break the linearity of the street and encourage pedestrian movement”.

Incorporated into the design will be engraved paved bands to introduce visitors to the history of New Ros with public art etched into the paving at gateway spaces depicting the work of local poets and artists.

The street will also feature catenary lighting (overhead decorative lights) at its narrowest section, creating a gateway for pedestrians during the winter months, and seating areas with removable umbrellas.

There will be a performance space in front of the Tholsel overlooked by an informal seating space with pollinator-friendly attractive planting in raised planters integrated into tables and chairs, benches, and bleachers. in addition, projection mapping onto the Tholsel facade to create dynamic public art features for different seasonal events will be part of the project.

Retractable bollards will be installed at either end of the pedestrianised area to allow access for business deliveries and emergency services.

A detailed design of the project was presented at the December meeting of New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) by Malone O' Regan Consulting Engineers and it was met with overwhelming positivity from councillors and officials alike.

“We’re not comprising on quality, we only get one chance to do this,” said director of services Eamonn Hore of a project which will be supported by the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) with match funding from Wexford County Council (WCC).

Noting that there had been some resistance to the development since it was first announced in 2022, Councillor Michael Sheehan said the pedestrianisation of Quay St was the “way forward for New Ross”.

“This can be a regenerative point for the town centre, we can repivot the town in winter for light festivals, there’s no town in the country which has lighting festivals,” he said. “Moving forward we can create a cultural quarter and incorporate the adjoining areas of the town.”

Deputy Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eamonn Hore.

Cllr John Fleming was similarly enthused, going as far to suggest that a roof design could be included in the design to match that of Monck St in Wexford town. On a more serious note he said the newly-designed street would “give people a reason to visit New Ross” and would prove attractive for “families and people of all ages”.

The enthusiasm continued from Cathaoirleach John Dwyer who said Quay St could become “a centrepiece for the town” once the works were complete, however, he did raise some concerns regarding traffic and how the council expected to manage diversions onto Charles St and the existing junction at the Tholsel.

“We have a full traffic plan done,” replied Mr Hore, “even down to how many seconds it will take for diversions. The traffic situation has been analysed and we don’t foresee a problem with it.”

Returning to the positivity, Cllr Pat Barden predicted that New Ross was “really going to take off in the next couple of years” and that the few remaining dissenting voices would soon have little reason to be negative.

The final word went to district manager Alan Fitzhenry who said the project had been designed to support active businesses and provide flexibility for any future works in the town.

“There will be loads of space for tables and chairs for businesses to promote outdoor dining. Rather than create a designated space we’ve left it quite open and flexible for what might come in the future,” he said.

Work on pedestrianising Quay St is expected to begin in the middle of 2026.