Suggestion that ‘there’s nothing happening’ in New Ross is ‘complete and utter rubbish’ says councillor

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The notion that “there’s nothing happening” in New Ross is “absolute and utter rubbish” according to cathaoirleach of the district, Councillor John Dwyer. Speaking following the announcement that €100,000 had been allocated to the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) for festivals and events in 2026, the independent councillor hit out at the naysayers who sought to bring the town down.

“There was a real buzz around the place last year because of these festivals,” he said at the February meeting of the NRMD. “Yet, in spite of that, people still say there’s nothing happening in the town. That’s absolute and utter rubbish.”

He was supported by Cllr Bridín Murphy.

“Each and every one of those events brings something different to the town, the array of festivals we have in our district is quite incredible,” she said.

The €100,000 has been awarded to the following festivals: AIMS Choral Festival (€3,000), Summer Sessions (€18,000), Tri the Hook (€5,000), Kennedy Summer School (€10,000), Baginbun Norman Festival (€5,000), New Ross Piano Festival (€10,000), Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Drama (€10,000), St Patrick’s Day Parade (€7,000), Nollaig New Ross (€27,000), New Ross Guitar Festival (€5,000).

Meanwhile, Cllr Pat Barden has asked that the newly reopened Shambles in the centre of town be used to tell the recent history of New Ross.

“I thought when we were developing it that it would be like stepping back in time, that we would adorn the walls with the history of the town, with old photos of the Albatross, the Barge Factory, New Ross Steel,” he said. “I had visions of this happening, but it hasn’t come to fruition.”

If such a project were to materialise, Cllr Dwyer expressed his wishes that the tailors of Mary Street would be commemorated.

“There were five tailors operating on that street, including two seamstresses, one of whom was prominent in Cumann na mBan,” he said.

Responding to these suggestions, district manager Alan Fitzhenry said he could explore the possibility of hosting an exhibition in The Shambles so long as it didn’t interfere with certain aspects of the building.

“Most of the walls of the Shambles are protected heritage structures apart from one newly constructed wall,” he said. “We do have one photo of how the area used to look, but we could add more along with an information panel.”