Cllr Keith Doyle has been informed that Wexford County Council has appointed an architect to refurbish Enniscorthy’s old courthouse.
Originally opened in 1820, the historic courthouse served as a courthouse for almost 200 years. It has been vacant since 2006 when it was closed by the OPW for refurbishment. This refurbishment was never carried out and the OPW subsequently handed the courthouse over to Wexford County Council.
It was built on the site of an older building that served as a field hospital for United Irish insurgents in 1798. That original building was set on fire by Crown forces and 76 wounded insurgents lost their lives.
“The old courthouse is one of Enniscorthy’s most important historical buildings and sites. I’m delighted that an architect has been appointed and that the building is to be restored and a new use is to be found for it”.
“Since becoming chair of Wexford County Council, it has been a priority of mine to bring vacant and dilapidated buildings in Enniscorthy back into use. The old courthouse has been left vacant and dilapidated for too long and extensive works are required to bring the building back into use. Once restored it will be a major addition, to the town center. However, it’s important that any restoration and future use of the building will respect the historic nature of the building and the site”, concluded Cllr Doyle.