Social media accounts doing ‘everything they can’ to run New Ross into the ground – ‘It kills me when I see the commentary online’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Online commentators and social media accounts are determined to “run New Ross into the ground” despite a number of new initiatives and projects being completed in the town in recent months. Bemoaning the constant negativity online, councillors used the November meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) to hit back at those who choose to continually criticise the supposed lack of activity in the town.

“We’ve a job convincing local people how well things are going,” said Councillor Michael Sheehan. “There are certain social media accounts which do everything they can to run the town into the ground, and, for those of us working to improve things here, that’s soul-destroying.

"And of all the good work done here already, there’s still more coming down the line.”

For Cllr Bridín Murphy the narrative that nothing ever happens in New Ross was one she took personally.

“It kills me when I see commentary online saying there’s nothing going on in this town. Just look at St Michael’s Theatre; there are very few small towns in Ireland that have a theatre like that with concerts going on all year round. And this is in addition to the festivals which take place here. We as public reps need to push back against this negativity.”

One way in which this negativity can be addressed is by shopping local at what is the busiest time of year for retailers. And Cllr Pat Barden suggested that the public be made fully aware of where their money goes if they chose to spend it with businesses in the district.

“We need to push the shop local campaign this year, point out what happens to every euro that’s spent in this town, the knock-on effect it has,” he said. “I don’t think people fully realise how important it is to shop local.”

“If you support the businesses in the town you’re supporting the families,” agreed Cllr Murphy.

One man who is already shopping local is cathaoirleach of the NRMD, Cllr John Dwyer.

“Today I made the decision not to buy from outside, I purchased my first suit in about 20 years and I did so in town.” he said.