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2018 €7.95 Castle FEATURE New era for for era New Johnstown PASSION See page 74 page See OUR Over 30 top top 30 Over events in in events WHAT’S ON WHAT’S Wexford festivals and PLACE OUR shop… Where to Where to stay… Where to eat… HOSPITALITY OUR PEOPLE

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Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford. 6000 @wexfordcoco 919 (0)53 Phone: 00353 www.Wexford.ie www.InvestWexford.ie CONTENTS

Wexford is not all about work; it has a great reputation as a place to live, ‘‘ wonderful landscape and WALKING WEXFORD coastline, vibrant arts scene A selection of beautiful walks A selection of 20 different walking the long stretch of golden coastline through varied countryside trails are on offer across Wexford, stretches to Raven Point south and hosts the renowned awaits you in Wexford Walking from easy grade to moderate to of Curracloe. Broken then by Trails – wooded walks, historic strenuous. More than half of Wexford Harbour, the southern international Wexford walks, coastal walks, and Wexford’s border is bounded by coast runs on towards Waterford mountain walks. You can choose the sea; starting at Kilmichael Harbour and is fringed with small Festival Opera a different walk each day and Point in the north of the county, inlets and rocks. savour the varied beauty of In the north of the county the ABOVE: Europe’s most western isle. You Enniscorthy Blackstairs form an integral part Billy Sweetman, can walk through bird-rich River Walk of Ireland’s heritage. The highest Partner, PwC polders beside Wexford town LEFT: peak is Mount Leinster (795m), or traverse the slopes of Mount Courtown dominating the surrounding Walking Trail Leinster and the Blackstairs skyline. The name ‘Leinster’ comes Mountains in the west. In from the Irish Laighin, the ancient between, you can choose from name of the province whose King ’’ a wide range of quality walks was buried beneath a cairn here through quiet rural landscapes before the time of Christ. of diverse character and all steeped in the history of the A Wexford Walking trail guide island long regarded as ‘the end which details the variety of walks of the known world’. in Wexford can be found at www.visitwexford.ie

ACTIVITIES 105 Our Wexford WELCOME TO WEXFORD 6 Our People AMBASSADORS The world-famous faces who have 10 a major love for the ‘old sod’ OUR CRAFT Meet the crafty Wexford people who 22 bring design to a global audience OUR FOOD Meet the people behind the global 30 food brands produced in Wexford DOING BUSINESS IN WEXFORD The hugely successful businesses that have 38 chosen Wexford as their place to work HOSPITALITY Where to eat..where to stay..conferencing 62 Wexford offers a menu of choice Our Place JOHNSTOWN CASTLE A new era is on the horizon for this 74 expansive estate WELL-CONNECTED WEXFORD What is it that keeps Wexford moving? 78 PROPERTY SOLUTIONS Sites and turnkey property ready for new business 82 EDUCATION Cultivating the bright minds of the future 86 WHERE WE LIVE Wexford’s residential housing market 88 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST Explore the cornerstone of Ireland’s Ancient East 90 Our Passion CULTURE & ARTS Explore Wexford’s bustling arts scene 93 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA Learn about this World Famous Festival, 96 hosted every year since 1951 ACTIVITY & ADVENTURE There’s an escapade at every turn 98

Magazine designed by TOTEM www.totem.ie 3 Welcome from the Chairman

In this publication we introduce you to inspirational Wexford people who have developed hugely successful careers, but who have a very soft spot for their home place. We look at some of the transformational projects, which will see Wexford infrastructure develop to a whole new level over the next number of years, making it easier to live, work and invest in our county.

We have discussed doing business in Wexford with some of the county’s biggest employers and delved into what they believe makes the county a great place to do business.

We also explore the county’s rich heritage and cultural offering, and feature Ireland’s Ancient East along with a range of festivals and events, which ensure Wexford has a 360-degree offering for locals and visitors alike.

From living in Wexford and studying here, to working and enjoying leisure time, we hope that ‘Our Wexford’ offers you some insights as to why some of the world’s biggest brands have chosen Wexford as their place to do business.

Más fíor nach neart go cur le chéile, caithfidh Carmanaigh uilig cur le cheile ar mhaithe le Co Loch Garman.

If it is true that there is no strength without unity then all Wexford people must unite for the betterment of Wexford.

John Hegarty, Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council.

4 OUR WEXFORD Photo by Ivan Donoghue Ivan by Photo

WELCOME TO WEXFORD 5 Welcome to Wexford

The beautiful, historic and New Ross on the borders with every year, spending €190 million diverse county of Wexford is Waterford and Kilkenny, the in the local economy. located on the southeastern-most urban areas of Wexford all offer The urban centre is a popular corner of the island of Ireland. their own unique attractions. All shopping destination and the In recent years developments in remain within easy distance of town is home to a number of large infrastructure, education and Ireland’s major cities and airports, employers across the agri- food, the arts have led to it becoming as well as the busy Rosslare financial services and ICT sectors. one of the most innovative, Europort, which is just minutes bustling places in the country. away and is a key link to the This coastal town is also just United Kingdom and continental minutes from spectacular beaches As the heart of Ireland’s ‘Sunny Europe. such as Curracloe and Rosslare, Southeast’, it enjoys the most nature reserves, and national sunshine of any part of Ireland With a county population of heritage sites including 12 pillars every year. Wexford’s rolling 145,315, the key urban centre is of Ireland’s Ancient East. countryside and vibrant towns have Wexford town,which was founded many attractions for those who over 1,000 years ago and has Not to mention the multi-award- ABOVE: want to live and work in a place retained historic links with its winning Wexford Festival Opera, Wexford town which attracts tens of thousands quayside which has a young and enterprising Viking and Norman past. population, spectacular scenery, a into the town every autumn to It was those Viking ‘visitors’ rich heritage embodying Ireland’s enjoy many musical treats, in an who first laid out the narrow and Ancient East and an unparalleled awe-inspiring venue – Ireland’s picturesque streets and lanes, cultural life beloved by visitors and National Opera House. which today form a thriving locals alike. town centre in Wexford that has The designated heritage town From Wexford town in the become famous as one of the of Enniscorthy is located in the south of the county to Gorey most attractive urban districts heart of the county and today is and Bunclody in the north, in Ireland. County Wexford a busy shopping and visitor town Enniscorthy in the heart to welcomes over 850,000 visitors filled with interesting heritage

6 OUR WEXFORD sites and described in Ulysses as the gateway for that majestic At the northern end of County ‘the finest place in the world’. river’s exit into the sea off Ireland’s Wexford can be found the bustling Eniscorthy played a key role in southeastern coast. The ruins of St market town of Gorey. Its Market Ireland’s centuries-long struggle for Mary’s Church are worth seeing House and Square sets the tone independence, especially during while the Dunbrody Visitor Centre of a town just six minutes from the 1798 Rebellion but also during on the town’s quayside features a the blue flag Courtown and the 1916 Rising which eventually replica of the type of ships which Ballymoney and minutes from hill led to the War of Independence once brought thousands of people and woodland walks. It is a busy and the birth of the Irish Free who wanted to escape poverty to commercial spot featuring a long State. The town’s streets are different parts of the world. wide main street with a host of picture perfect, a feature which saw charming, indigenous shops and The quays in New Ross are also Enniscorthy used as the town for is a thriving hub for new business home to the Emigrant Flame, a all of the Irish street scenes in the start-ups and tech companies. monument to all those who left much acclaimed Brooklyn movie. this country – including JFK’s Not far from Gorey are a host of Not far away is New Ross, a ancestor Patrick Kennedy – in panoramic beaches laden with soft, vibrant market town on the banks search of betterment. golden sands. Some are hidden of the river Barrow and indeed away, found following drives or walks of discovery, while some like Courtown Harbour are busy resorts. ABOVE: Further north the likes of Wicklow The Dunbrody Famine ship at New and then Dublin are but a short Ross Quayside drive from here while, heading LEFT: south again, the coastal drive back Wells House and down to Wexford town is one of Terrace Garden the prettiest of its kind in this part of the world and a reminder of all that Wexford has to offer as a place to work, live, visit, and do business.

INTRODUCTION 7 OUR PEOPLE

8 01

9 People Profile: Wexford Ambassador EOIN COLFER

Eoin is one of the world’s managed to shoehorn into about menu. The whole region is very favourite children’s authors and 10 books so far in different guises. very magical and sometimes it’s has written the internationally forgotten, which actually we don’t “After that one of my favourite bestselling Artemis Fowl books, mind because we like having it all places is what is now the National which chronicle the adventures to ourselves, but in the spirit of Opera House, it is quite unique of a 12-year-old master generosity we would like to open it and is often described as a hidden criminal. up to the rest of the world.” jewel and that’s exactly what it is; Eoin was born in Wexford in Speaking of his play My Real Life 1965, where he and his four which is to be performed as part brothers were brought up by his I’VE BEEN INSPIRED of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, father (a primary school teacher, Eoin says, “In the 15-minute historian and artist of note) and BY MANY MANY version of the play the character mother (a drama teacher). He first LOCATIONS IN THE was based quite exclusively on a developed an interest in writing close friend of mine who has MS. in primary school with gripping REGION, HOOK HEAD What I wanted to put across in Viking stories inspired by the IS SOMETHING I HAVE that first version was that he is history he was learning in school still the same guy he always was, at the time! NEVER FORGOTTEN despite his condition; he’s still funny, still has a great personality. A former schoolteacher himself AND IT IS SOMETHING I talked to him about it at the Eoin now lives in Wexford with I HAVE MANAGED TO time and showed him the script, his family. He began writing adult I was very anxious that he didn’t fiction but after teaching primary SHOEHORN INTO ABOUT feel I was using him as a hot topic school realised that he had an 10 BOOKS SO FAR IN or being patronising. affinity with kids. He created the acclaimed Artemis Fowl, W.A.R.P. DIFFERENT GUISES “When I had to extend it into a and Legends series for children. full-length piece I realised there He is a former Laureate na nÓg had to be more to it than that; when you’re in Wexford you walk (2014-2016). He has also written there had to be subtext and back- into this narrow street which is an Ironman novel for Marvel story and genuine emotions and full of terraced houses and you Comics, the play My Real Life the not just a one-note moral fable. think, this is a beautiful quaint musical Noel and much more. So then a lot of my own life went street but then you turn left and into it, a lot of my growing up A latecomer to success, Colfer the whole world of theatre opens in Wexford, a lot of my friends’ didn’t get published until he was before you in this massive opera stories went in too. I think if any 32. “I had been trying since I was house. of us look back on our younger 19. For four or five years I stopped. I also love the Wexford Quays years we could find 20 or 30 It wasn’t until I hit 30 that I had a with its incredible old wooden funny stories to use, it was just crisis. I had always said to myself works where ships have been a matter of attributing all those that I would get published by the docking for hundreds of years; to one person and giving them time I was 30. That really hit me it’s a wonderful place to visit on a a timeline. It’s still mostly based — not only was I not published, I Sunday and look out to sea, smell on my friend with a lot of my hadn’t even written a proper novel. the salt and watch the fishermen own time in 1970s and 1980s I then put the pedal to the metal.” on the ballast bank opposite; it is Wexford.” Speaking about taking inspiration something my dad did with me Eoin plans to continue his creative for his work from Wexford, and I do with my kids. and writing works for many years Eoin says, “I’ve been inspired “There is an awful lot on offer to come, he says. “I will keep by many many locations in the here. We have the scenery, we writing until people stop reading region. Hook Head is my family have the history, we have the or I run out of ideas. Hopefully, home and I grew up climbing cuisine, we have the friendly neither of these will happen the lighthouse with my dad; it is people, we have the culture; in anytime soon.” something I have never forgotten every coffee shop, there’s an art and it is something I have exhibition as well as a fantastic

10 OUR WEXFORD OUR PEOPLE 11 People Profile: Wexford Ambassador MICHAEL LONDRA

Emmy®-nominated, Irish singer- my mother was born and reared in The shopping and restaurants dotted songwriter Michael Londra is Maudlintown, Wexford. My whole along our Main Street are second to from the opera capital of Ireland. childhood was spent in the heart of none. I am bringing a tour of North He decided in his early 30s to the town itself. Even though I live Americans and Australians this year follow his heart and pursue a in the USA, I am deeply connected and I know they will be blown away professional singing career. His to the town and can’t stay away for by the place.” leap of faith was rewarded when longer than a few months. Michael is a proud Wexford he soon became a leading man “Wexford was the ideal town to Ambassador, commenting on this in musical theatre in Dublin, grow up in, as a singer. The heart official role as such, “I always saw playing many roles. US director of the town for me, was the Theatre myself as an ambassador for the and choreographer Larry Fuller Royal. It is where I learned about town. Not out of responsibility asked Michael to play Bobby music and performing. I loved as a but out of a genuine love and Kennedy in the world premier of kid that I lived by the sea and the appreciation for the place. When JFK where he was noticed by the maritime influences. My earliest I was approached I honestly just producers of Riverdance. memory is listening to seagulls thought that it was a natural fit. He was offered the role of lead first thing in the morning. I have “I talk about the town and county singer in the US National Tour probably more romantic impressions at every show I do. Whenever a which included performances at of my childhood, living so far away, newspaper does a story or I do a TV Radio City Music Hall and the but to me it was fairly idyllic. The or radio interview, I make Wexford MGM Grand in Las Vegas. In town itself and the people living a part of the conversation. It is March 2000, Michael was again in it have always been open to the part of my identity. Internationally offered the position of lead singer in world outside so I remember seeing we have lost out to other parts of the new production of Riverdance foreigners come especially for the Ireland but now I feel like we are on Broadway, taking the role Festival Opera and I think it gave part of the conversation and people from acclaimed Irish singer Brian me wanderlust.” are coming to visit. I have no place Kennedy. This was the platform in Irish media at home but I get a from which Michael’s recording and fair amount of attention in other producing career began. FOR ME, THERE IS countries. Whenever you read or Michael’s first album Celt was hear about Michael Londra, you produced by the world renowned NOWHERE LIKE will also hear about Wexford. It’s a Steve Skinner who co-produced the WEXFORD. IT HAS A given.” Grammy nominated soundtrack Michael is indeed partnering his of RENT. The album was released QUALITY THAT VERY love of Wexford with his new in 15 countries worldwide selling FEW TOWNS HOLD. venture as a theatre producer, with particularly well in Korea where it Venuworks Theatricals. “Venuworks reached No 1 in the World Music is a large US based company, Charts. He appears with Pavarotti, Michael thinks that Wexford has managing arenas, theatres and Bocelli, Il Divo, Sarah Brightman discovered its strengths over the conference centres across the US. and Kathryn Jenkins on the years and built on them. “The The CEO and I have partnered to Universal Records Asia 2009 release cultural spine of the town has been produce shows for Broadway and Arias : Ancora. realised with the crown of the national touring. Our first project National Opera House in the heart His recording of Danny Boy was is a new musical, written by my of it all. described by The Irish Emigrant lifelong pal Eoin Colfer and another in New York as “One of the best “For me, there is nowhere like Wexford based composer, Liam recordings of Danny Boy in Wexford. It has a quality that very Bates. The show will now tour in history”. The YouTube video of this few towns hold. Over the years, it the US and beyond. Organically, it recording has been downloaded by has been almost a well kept secret was a great fit with facilities, talent seven million people. but that has changed in recent years. and know-how for its premiere in The town itself obviously has its Wexford in 2016. Broadway agents Chatting with Michael, his love for musical charms along with a rich and tastemakers flew in to see the Wexford is palpable. “My whole tapestry of history from Viking to show and we now have global plans identity is built on Wexford town. Norman. A few miles away you have for it.” While my father is a Kilkenny man, some of the best beaches in Ireland.

12 OUR WEXFORD OUR PEOPLE 13 People Profile: Wexford Ambassador DERMOT O’LEARY

One of the most recognisable That’s certainly the case with other ventures. He later returned faces on British – and Irish – Dermot O’Leary – or Dermot Seán as the host in 2016 and then once TV screens nowadays is that of Fintan O’Leary to give him his full again in 2017. Dermot O’Leary, the likeable name – who says that, in relation He remains loyal to his Wexford presenter who has made The to Wexford and his parents’ origins family and still recalls, all these X Factor his own and is also in the county, he “always felt a years later, those holidays back to a veteran of many popular connection to the area” when he was the southeast of Ireland as a child. television and radio ventures. growing up. “We visited the area every year when Many in the UK, and even in I was younger, spending six weeks in Ireland, may not realise that Dermot the summer.” is first generation Colchester-Irish CURRACLOE BEACH As could be expected, he says and that both his mother and father, WAS MY FAVOURITE “fond memories include going to Maria and Seán, are from Wexford. PLACE AS A KID. A the beach and watching hurling,” They were among the many who MAGICAL BEACH. so that’s in line with most other made their way from Ireland to people who choose to summer in England back in the late 20th Wexford and take advantage of the century, when the domestic sunny climate, local activities and He always speaks with pride about economy was still struggling spectacular natural surroundings. his connections to Wexford and to catch up with its European indeed, holds dual British and Irish Of Wexford town itself, he says counterparts and opportunities citizenship. what he likes about it most is that were few and far between for young it’s such a friendly town, while he adults just out of school and college. Following his childhood in encourages visitors to the area to Colchester where he attended St While times have changed since then visit that beautiful, golden stretch of Benedict’s Catholic College, Dermot and we’ve seen a boom, recession strand just outside the main urban broke into broadcasting when he and now a recovery to the extent centre. “Curracloe beach was my landed a job as a DJ on Essex Radio, that Ireland was recently named the favourite place as a kid. A magical before earning a slot as a presenter fastest-growing economy in Europe, beach.” Not many would disagree on Channel 4’s T4 slot on television. that legacy of Irish emigrants remains with him there. in many countries throughout the He then went on to present Big Dermot recently posted a touching world, not least in the UK. Brother’s Little Brother, a spin-off tribute to his Irish-born parents as of the Big Brother behemoth, on E4 It’s often the case too, that the Irish he paid a final visit to his childhood before taking over as The X Factor’s communities in far-flung parts of home in Colchester, sharing a main host in 2007, running the the globe insist on maintaining photograph of his mother Marie gauntlet with the likes of Simon their original heritage and ensuring and father Seán outside the house Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon that the generations that follow, he grew up in, saying that they were Osborne, a position he held since even though they’re born away from moving back to Ireland. 2007 with the exception of 2015, Irish soil, are aware of and proud of when he stepped down to pursue He captioned the family photograph their roots. with, ”Squeezed in a last visit and supper to O’Leary HQ before RIGHT: Mam and Dad take the trip back to Curracloe Beach Wexford. “They’ve loved it here. Since they’ve moved in ‘68 the people have been nothing but kind, welcoming and generous to them in a time when it wasn’t easy to be Irish in Britain. But, home calls.”

14 OUR WEXFORD OUR PEOPLE 15 People Profile EAMONN SINNOTT

From relatively low-key contributor of about €12.5 billion Educated at the CBS primary beginnings, computer chip in capital investment to the Irish school and St Peter’s secondary ABOVE: Eamonn Sinnott, and software manufacturer economy since 1990. school in Wexford, before going Intel Intel arrived in Ireland over 25 on to graduate from university At the helm of Intel’s Irish years ago and began operating with maths and physics activities is a man who grew out of a warehouse in west specialities, Eamonn worked with up in Wexford town, Eamonn Dublin while waiting for its Digital Equipment Corporation Sinnott. He remains a frequent headquarters to be readied. in Galway before joining Intel as a enough visitor to the streets and shift manager in 1991, starting off Today it’s one of the country’s countryside of his native locality at its base in Albuquerque, New most important private-sector to know that it has as much, if not Mexico, where he became familiar businesses, employing almost more, to offer any multi-national with the landscapes and streets 5,000 people at its huge base or smaller business, as any other made famous on Breaking Bad. in Leixlip, Co Kildare, and a area in Europe.

16 OUR WEXFORD He has held a number of positions businesses, including those located that is something that Wexford with Intel since then, before in Wexford, who can look to a could excel at.” becoming the corporation’s Vice- global market. Ireland has done well at looking President for Technology and The Intel general manager points abroad for opportunities over the Manufacturing in 2010, a post out that there are 200,000 small last few decades, Eamonn says. he today holds along with that and medium enterprises in “We’re a small country in the of General Manager for Intel in Ireland, accounting for about 70pc grand scheme of things but we Ireland. of the national workforce. “Just definitely adopt a world view easily Among his many responsibilities imagine if they were all to employ and Wexford, for me, is a fantastic are oversight of Fab 24, Intel’s another one or two people, you’d cradle for business.” first 300mm wafer fabrication solve the unemployment register.” A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers facility outside of the United found that Intel is worth almost States, and home to the latest €900 million to the Irish economy generation of Moore’s Law – the every year, making its way directly principle outlined by one of Intel’s and indirectly across the whole founders, Gordon Moore, many I HAVE MET A country and not just the Leixlip, years ago. This basically predicted NUMBER OF PEOPLE Kildare and Dublin areas, while that microprocessor chips would internationally its reputation is double in capacity every two FROM WEXFORD IN gold-standard – recently rated years for the same cost. It remains RECENT TIMES TO by Forbes as one of the 10 most the key principle driving the innovative companies in the world. semiconductor industry worldwide TALK ABOUT THINGS today. In his capacity as President of the THEY ARE DOING AND American Chamber of Commerce “What that has done in our Ireland, Eamonn recently made lifetime” Eamonn explains, “is IT REALLY DID GIVE the presentations in a new US- transform the entire world as ME AN ADRENALIN Ireland research innovation awards we know it. Who could have scheme and says he was hugely imagined the sort of scale, RUSH TO HEAR ABOUT impressed by the level of creativity expansion and transformation of THE KINDS OF THINGS now in existence across the nation. the tech sector and the exciting “We had 15 finalists and I was things which it has enabled, and WE’RE CAPABLE OF. blown away by the calibre of those Ireland is at the very heart of this.” IRELAND IS A NIMBLE, finalists. The reason we put that Other important activities in INNOVATIVE AND event on was to point out the level Intel in Ireland include chip of talent that exists here in this design, security software, CREATIVE PLACE AND country. I have met a number of advanced graphics for games, WEXFORD HAS THAT people from Wexford in recent and development work for the times to talk about things they are “internet of things”. SAME LIFEBLOOD. doing and it really did give me an adrenalin rush to hear about the Eamonn is passionate about using kinds of things we’re capable of. Intel as an inspiration for smaller Ireland is a nimble, innovative and businesses to create, innovate, creative place and Wexford has grow and thrive and says Wexford Things have been tough for that same lifeblood.” is an ideal location for such such companies in recent years, development. he acknowledges, in the area Meanwhile, he is quick to blow of raising finance for example. the trumpet of his native town as “Intel has enabled the worldwide “I believe that excellence is a place to live and work, citing its infrastructure to connect the something that you can sell on a beauty, heritage, amenities and planet in ways we could only have world stage - if you are the best in young, educated population. dreamed about 25 years ago and the world at what you do and can you could really get excited about “I’m a little biased but I do think capitalise on that then you have a the opportunity that presents for Wexford is fantastic.” massive opportunity and I think expansion and growth for small

OUR PEOPLE 17 People Profile MARK REDMOND

The numbers are impressive. therefore, that an important body ties between the two countries,” And proof of how important of influence is the American he adds. “US Foreign Direct American businesses are to the Chamber of Commerce Ireland. Investment in Ireland is now at Irish economy, in good times an all-time high, it’s never been Now led by former head of the and bad. Over 700 companies higher, and US confidence in Irish Tax Institute and native across Ireland have their Ireland is also, thankfully, at an of County Wexford, Mark headquarters in the United all-time high.” Redmond, the ACCI has been States, directly employing representing American investment Even during some of our darkest 140,000 people in this country and businesses here for over half a days, economically, the US kept and also indirectly responsible century. faith in this country. The period for a further 100,000 jobs. 2008-2012, the age of austerity for A huge 26pc of Irish GDP is That history reflects the key role Ireland and so many other nations accounted for by exports from played by FDI from the US since across Europe and the rest of the US companies based here, the 1960s when the Seán Lemass- ABOVE: world, actually saw an increase in worth billions to the domestic led government of the time took Mark Redmond, CE, American investment here, with American Chamber economy. Ireland out of its insular, inward- FDI from the US exceeding that of looking past and looked abroad for OPPOSITE PAGE: Meanwhile, employees of the previous 50 years. Under the iconic new opportunities for growth and American companies in Ireland portrait of President innovation. Ireland and Wexford have many John F. Kennedy, donate about 200,000 hours advantages when it comes to his grand-nephew through volunteer work in their “It’s a very important sector of the Congressman attracting foreign investment, local communities, meaning the Irish economy and Irish society,” as Joe Kennedy III Mark points out. (grandson of Bobby payload is not just in financial Mark Redmond says. Kennedy) with Mark terms but also social capital, with “The number one thing is our Redmond in the The Chamber now has over 700 4,000 local community projects talent. I talk every day to leaders White House on St members who are American Patrick’s Day 2015 supported by those businesses. of US companies in Ireland companies with activity in Ireland, and in America and the most So that’s quite an influence on as well as some members who are important thing we have got and Irish finance and Irish life in Irish companies doing business have to nurture is the talent of the general and it’s unsurprising, in the United States. “We’re all workforce here.” about strengthening business

18 OUR WEXFORD Other pluses are our relatively low costs and level of competitiveness, while the ever-improving infrastructure is also key, both the physical infrastructure of the likes of our road network and water supply, and also the digital infrastructure made up of our connectivity and broadband access. “The fact that we’re a bridge between Europe and the US and, also, between the US and Asia, is very important. A lot of Americans would tell you we have the same kind of ‘can-do’ flexible approach to business which they have and appreciate.” Mark cites a number of examples of businesses based in County Wexford which originate in America such as Coca-Cola, Waters Technology, Clearstream, and Lake Region among others, as proof of the confidence placed by US companies in the area and THE FACT THAT WE’RE A BRIDGE BETWEEN proof of what the area has to offer. EUROPE AND THE US AND, ALSO, BETWEEN “The skill base in Wexford is THE US AND ASIA, IS VERY IMPORTANT. strong and we’ve very strong Irish employers in Wexford and A LOT OF AMERICANS WOULD TELL YOU WE multi-national employers as well. HAVE THE SAME KIND OF ‘CAN-DO’ FLEXIBLE Wexford has got a good supply of office and rental accomodation, APPROACH TO BUSINESS WHICH THEY HAVE which is very important, and AND APPRECIATE. in Wexford now we have a much-improved road link to the motorway system, which will take making process when it comes to College Dublin and Dublin City you to Dublin Airport and as far as location. “For US companies, the University. Belfast.” lifestyle of their employees is very “It’s really fantastic,” he says important. They like to have their He hopes to see delivery of the about his position as CE with the employees living and working in long-awaited and much-debated American Chamber, where he’s great places and I think Wexford is Technological University of the been working for three years. “It’s one of the best places to live, it has Southeast, which would probably a fantastically-interesting agenda many strengths.” link the existing and highly- and a very broad agenda, and a regarded Institutes of Technology Mark himself has many family great team in the chamber. There’s in Waterford and Carlow and have links around the county and grew a really wonderful membership an outreach campus in Wexford, up in Ferns and Enniscorthy, who are committed to Ireland and as a way of deepening the skill and attending boarding school in the committed to helping Ireland kick education base even more. Cistercian College in Roscrea, on into the coming years.” County Tipperary, before going But then, there’s also the quality on to third-level education of life available in Wexford which and graduating from Trinity he cites as a factor in any decision-

OUR PEOPLE 19 Our Diaspora THE SAVANNAH CONNECTION

In addition to being the constituting by far the largest Wexford is being newly celebrated, ancestral home of President county of origin. as confirmed by the presentation John F. Kennedy, the maritime in mid-March 2016 of the Key Known as the Wexford-Savannah county of Wexford boasts many of Savannah to the people of Axis, the link remains relevant, other strong bonds with the Wexford in a ceremony conducted for Savannah is vibrantly proud United States. For example, by Savannah’s Mayor under the of its Irish heritage, shaped very the US Navy’s “Father,” gold dome of City Hall. consequentially by immigrants Commodore John Barry, was with Wexford names: Corish, The source of this refreshed born in Tacumshane, a village Kehoe, Murphy, Rossiter, Sinnott, interest is a major research project in the southeast of the county, Stafford, and more. Savannah lives into the Wexford-Savannah Axis. in 1745. up to its moniker, the Hostess Counting as partners the Georgia Yet another connection developed City, by proudly facilitating North Historical Society, the John F. in the 1840s and ‘50s, when America’s second-biggest St. Kennedy Trust of New Ross, Co. three County Wexford shipping Patrick’s Day Parade. Over 190 Wexford, and humanities staff and companies operated a direct years old, that tradition-rich event librarians at Waterford Institute transatlantic pathway to Savannah, plays a crucial role in the city’s of Technology, the initiative is ABOVE: Forsyth Park, chief port of Georgia – the huge tourist industry—hardly anchored at the Center for Irish Savannah, Georgia Empire State of the South. While surprising, for many of Savannah’s Research and Teaching (CIRT), a northeastern cities like Boston 14 million annual visitors seek unit of the 21,000-student Georgia and New York often dominate heritage experiences. Southern University, the largest perceptions of Irish America, we university serving Savannah. In response to the south’s shouldn’t ignore Savannah, famed CIRT’s director, Dr. Howard expanding population and for preserving the largest National Keeley, explains, “While all Irish economy, Ireland in recent years Historic Landmark District in counties feature within Savannah’s has opened two new consulates the US. Remarkably, the US history, none is more represented there: in Austin, Texas, and Census of 1860 recorded a quarter than Wexford.” Atlanta, Georgia. But no of Savannah’s white population southern urban center is as Irish Keeley continues, “Must-see as Irish-born, with Wexford as Savannah, where nowadays Savannah locations, such as the

20 OUR WEXFORD Kehoe House and Rossiter Place, Hunger, but perhaps more to of apprentice to ownership of are, in essence, pieces of Wexford. chronic anxiety on the part of what the February 1916 edition Thanks to mobile content we’re Wexford tenant farmers over land of the journal Iron Tradesman developing, millions of culture- security. characterised as “the largest and driven Savannah visitors will soon best equipped” iron foundry south In Wexford, Kilkenny, and get precisely that message.” of Virginia. other regional newspapers, the Keeley and his colleagues are companies vaunted Savannah Currently, the extant buildings sure that such digital curation and its hinterland as offering from his ironworks are undergoing will entice Americans to make “cheap and fertile” land, as well renovation and repurposing to in-person trips to great Wexford as “universally high wages.” become the centrepiece of a multi- attractions, such as the Dunbrody By regularly underscoring acre, world-class events campus. Centre on the quayside at New that passengers for Savannah The Director of the Georgia Ross, where one can tour a full- arrived alive, the advertisements University Honors Program, scale reproduction of the sailing complicate the received narrative Dr. Steve Engel, notes, “From barque Dunbrody. The original of Famine-era vessels as “coffin John Barry of Oylegate, second vessel, the researchers have ships.” Catholic bishop of Savannah, to determined, sailed to Savannah at and beyond Father Peter Whelan least five times. But the findings go of Loughnageer, one of the great deeper. humanitarians of the Civil War From an uncatalogued box in THE LITANY OF in Georgia, the litany of Wexford the National Archives of Ireland, men and women who built James Devlin, an undergraduate WEXFORD MEN AND Savannah is rich and extensive.” student from Georgia Southern WOMEN WHO BUILT Engel concludes, “Our students University’s Honors Program, are excited to uncover and share brought to light correspondence SAVANNAH IS RICH what pushed and pulled the mailed in 1847 by Andrew Low AND EXTENSIVE people who left Wexford, faced II, the dominant cotton factor in the Atlantic crossing in winter, mid-19th-century Savannah. The and then integrated into multi- addressee was the Dunbrody’s ethnic Savannah neighborhoods. owner, William Graves of New Much of the power of the The work is rekindling the Ross, and Low’s intent seems to Wexford-Savannah Axis derives Wexford-Savannah relationship have been promotion of Savannah from human-interest stories of in ways that yield very desirable as an exporter of such goods as achievement. One exemplary tourism, business, and investment BELOW: cotton, rice, timber planks, and narrative is that of William Kehoe, outcomes. But also important ‘Emigration barrel staves. born in 1842, whose baptismal to Savannah’ are the insights it provides into record identifies his origin as newspaper Devlin recalls, “Although nerve- migration, a core challenge and advertisement the townland of Mounthoward racking to untie the fragile strings opportunity in our time.” Upper, south of Gorey. Arriving around bundles of documents in Savannah at age 10 with his not handled in over a century, parents and siblings, Kehoe the discovery of the letters and would progress from the status circulars from Low to Graves thrilled me. As an Irish-American awed by the contributions that Wexford people have made to Savannah, identifying the possible origin of the Wexford-Savannah Axis was humbling.” Using Dunbrody, Glenlyon, and other vessels, Graves grew the Wexford-Savannah Axis, even dispatching his son, James Palmer Graves, to reside in the Georgia city as his business representative. Expanding to incorporate shipping concerns in addition to Graves – Howlett & Co. of New Ross and R. M. & R. Allen of Wexford Town – it responded to the Great

OUR PEOPLE 21 OUR CRAFT

Design and craft in Wexford is an ever-growing industry. The Craft Trail enables locals and visitors to ‘meet the makers’. The trail offers an insight into 19 different craft makers on a driving route right across the county featuring galleries, craft workshops and exhibition spaces. Visitors can meet the makers in many of the workshops and gain a greater insight into the skills involved in their own craft. Milliners, potters, weavers, wood turners, sculptors and jewellers all feature across the trail, offering visitors an opportunity to view a broad variety of traditional crafting skills.

EILEEN GRAY – Irish design legend

One of the world’s greatest Her celebrated Dragon chair, designers, Eileen Gray grew up owned by Yves St Laurent and in Brownswood, Enniscorthy Pierre Berge, broke records for a in County Wexford. 20th-century decorative artwork when it sold at auction for €21 Gray’s iconic furniture designs, million in 2009. rugs, lacquered screens and light fittings have left a lasting legacy An exhibition dedicated to her in global design. work is on permanent display in her hometown at Enniscorthy Gray spent most of her life Castle. in France but she remained proudly Irish and returned to Eileen Gray died of lung cancer this country on several occasions. on October 31st, 1976 and was She was keen in her later years, buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery for instance, to have her carpets in Paris. made in Ireland.

TOP: Eileen Gray RIGHT: Dragon chair

24 OUR WEXFORD BLÁITHÍN ENNIS - Jewellery Designer

Often a leap of faith and and took home the Wexford striking pieces of jewellery and courage is what’s needed to Young Entrepreneur of the couture accessories. transform a great idea into Year award. Last year she was a For example, her Topaz collection a great business and that’s cultural ambassador for the Three features pieces with a sterling something that jewellery Sisters – Kilkenny, Waterford and silver or gold-plated finish, designer Bláithín Ennis Wexford– in their bid to become with a brilliant gem sparkle, performed when she established European Capital of Culture in making them much sought-after her own label within a year of 2020. She has been showing sell- among those who appreciate graduating from college. out collections at Create in Brown contemporary, unique style. Thomas in both Dublin and Railing against any negativity and Galway for the past two years and “Price point is important to me,” despair still washing around the now has 40 stockists nationwide. she adds. “I don’t want to be a country from the worst days of the At her fourth Showcase, she designer associated with high recession, this exciting designer secured further customers prices. My customers appreciate and manufacturer of unique, including three in Sweden and hand-made items and like to contemporary jewellery pieces has one in the US and she now has buy Irish design, so it’s anything worked with New York designer ambitious plans to export. She has from about €35 and upwards to Diane von Furstenberg and then built up a significant reputation for purchase one of my pieces. They’re saw her own creations going down herself from her base in her native reasonably-priced.” a treat when it came to selling County Wexford. them at markets, showcases and Bláithín graduated from the outlets. “At the moment the ready-to- National College of Art and wear jewellery pieces are what I Design following an intense, Now she has her own, am mainly focusing on,” she says. packed course which she describes eponymously named studio a “I deal mainly in the market of as “a daunting experience” and, TOP: stone’s throw from the beautiful selling to shops and I also have after her stint in New York, was Bláithín Ennis north Wexford coastline at an online presence. My ethos as a offered a number of design jobs. Ballymoney, close to the bustling designer is to have a contemporary However, she decided to stay close town of Gorey. jewellery and accessory range. I to her roots. Within a short couple of years like to make unique accessories Her interest in gardening helped of launching her first collection that can give a new lease of life to a achieve her first big break at the Bláithín Ennis designs can be simple garment.” Springmount Garden Design found around the world. Bláithín sources all of her materials Fair in Ballycanew where shortly In 2014 she won Jewellery herself, from many parts of the after her return from the US Designer of the Year at the Fashion world, and then combines and she showed a small collection Innovation Awards in Galway manipulates them to create of fashion jewellery using what

OUR CRAFT 25 was to become her signature – Since then, she’s seen her pieces Quality is timeless, and delicate mesh and crystal – in worn by the likes of Nicole for 18 years now the high- cuffs, belts and earrings. “It got Scherzinger from the Pussycat a phenomenal reaction”, she Dolls, and X-Factor judge; had quality, beautiful products says, “and sold out, so I had to 15 of her designs selected by made by Paul Maloney go home and make more. The Brown Thomas fashion director Pottery in an idyllic seeds to my business were planted Shelly Corkery; while the location barely a stone’s in that garden centre.” So, the accolades have grown and grown. decision to start her own studio throw from the urban “At the moment my focus is and retail business was born. bustle of Wexford town the home market but this year She operated out of the renowned I’m planning to move towards have been charming those independent boutique, Place, in the UK market,” she says of her who will always appreciate Gorey with designer and artist current plans. “I have to say all the imaginatively-designed Juliana Walters whose concept of the local support I’ve received and the well-made Place was, and that proved an has been really fabulous. I’m important step for Bláithín. one of these people who doesn’t “She’s a wonderful person,” the like to pressurise my friends or jewellery designer says now of family or anything, showing Juliana. “She has a really good them my collections, but there is It’s with a good proportion of eye for unusual objects and a customer base out there and if tender loving care, along with I learned an awful lot from they like it they’ll buy it.” years of experience and an working alongside her. She was Having attended college in appreciation of what people also my first ever stockist and Dublin for four years, she want as well, of course, as expert really liked my pieces.” appreciates being out of urban craftsmanship that Paul Maloney The Wexford County Enterprise life and back in County Wexford, and his team have managed to Board also came along with yet less than an hour from wow them through thick and support and Bláithín was soon the capital on the nearby road thin. heading for her first trade show network. “I find it very inspiring Located in Barntown, just off the at Showcase Ireland in 2013, living in the country and I’m main artery between Wexford picking up valuable business just better designing in quiet and and New Ross/Waterford, Paul’s from the likes of the Kilkenny calm,” she explains. “There are workshop attracts a significant Shop in Dublin’s Nassau Street fabulous amenities here, like the chunk of walk-in (or more and the Fran & Jane collection of beaches and even the local hotels. usually, drive-by) business. It also boutiques. It’s a really nice place to live.” achieves a lot of its turnover by selling to selective outlets such as Kilkenny Design and Carrig Donn and some independent craft shops. Meanwhile, local clubs and organisations realise how much the products of Paul Maloney Pottery are valued and prizegivings organised by everyone from Wexford Racecourse to golf clubs, bridge clubs and Wexford Creamery will often feature some of the work.

RIGHT: Paul is also an accomplished Jewellery designs painter; he has painted in acrylic by Bláithín Ennis and oil throughout his life and has been a first prize winner in Europe’s largest Plein Air Festival. He recently produced a range of prints titled Field of Dreams, striking images of the animals he sees in the fields about Wexford. These works of art are also made here in Barntown so there’s always a huge variety on offer

26 OUR WEXFORD PAUL MALONEY – Potter

for the casual visitor as well as for boot space to load up with pottery influence coming from simple those secondary markets in many and art. things like “walking on the many of our large towns and cities. beaches in Wexford and watching “It doesn’t take them long to find Just some of the places where the changing coastline”. us and they’re good customers,” the pieces can be found include the man himself says. “Most of Visitors to the website can also Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Foxford the customers who come into the find stunning photographs of in County Mayo, Galway, Sligo, shop would be locals and Irish some of Paul’s work, such as items and historic Kells in Co Meath holidaymakers. The shop accounts from his collections of pottery and Cashel in County Tipperary. for about half of our sales and the like the Sea Breeze collection, the Not to mention, down the road, other half would be selling into Ocean collection and the Red Barker’s on South Main Street in the likes of Kilkenny Design and Earth collection. Wexford town. Carrig Donn.” Unlike many other small Paul Maloney is originally from businesses in Ireland, Paul Wexford and graduated from the Maloney Pottery rode through the renowned National College of Art THE POTTERY HAS recession and came out the other and Design. He worked as an art side, although that wasn’t without teacher as well as for a number MODERN FLUID its cost. “It hit us in 2008, we had of other potteries before going LINES, WITH MUCH nine people in total working here out on his own in 1998. During INFLUENCE COMING and two weeks later we had five the intervening years, he’s never working here so it wasn’t as bad regretted that decision nor has FROM SIMPLE THINGS for me as it was for them. It hit us he ever wished he’d established like a sledgehammer and we had his own business in a different There are even some shops in to take action straightaway. But, location. “Wexford is good, it’s the United States who like to having said that, we’re probably here in the sunny southeast and stock Paul’s products, while the a lot more efficient now. I’ve we get a lot of Dublin people internet has naturally enough complained less in the last few down. It suits us really well. started to make inroads into years than I did during the Celtic Dublin people like to spend their his business, with an increasing Tiger years!” money with us and they appreciate number of orders coming via his their pottery and their crafts.” Many of his products, such as paulmaloneypottery.ie website. giftware, held their own during Wexford has always been a place TOP: That website points out that the difficult times - “people still Paul Maloney at where those living in the capital, all of the items of tableware had to buy presents” - while others work in his studio and indeed other parts of the and giftware are made using fell off somewhat, and today country, like to holiday, and many traditional hand methods, with visitors to the craft shop or website return again and again every year, everything in the pottery section can see that the quality remains often to their own holiday homes. hand-thrown on the potter’s wheel untouched. Such tourists are a frequent sight and then finished off by hand, “Things are going well now, at Paul’s workshop in Barntown, glazed and fired. This ensures actually,” he says with a note of particularly in the summer everything is unique. confidence. months, when they often arrive The pottery has “modern, up in their cars and have plenty of fluid lines,” he says, with much

OUR CRAFT 27 RICHARD MALONE – Fashion Designer

Richard Malone graduated and Paris Fashion weeks. According from Central Saint Martins in to Vogue magazine “Richard’s 2014, where he was awarded the designs are likely to be on every prestigious Louis Vuitton Grand fashion editor’s wish list come fall.” Prix Scholarship. The designer says that growing up From drawing and image-making in Wexford, he was always inspired to film and performance, Richard by people. “I was always, always Malone’s sources exist outside of the drawing. I still am. I’m obsessed fashion world, resulting in his own with people, always observing unique fashion language. Based in and sketching. It really informs London but producing in Ireland my designs; I don’t see how you is vital to Malone’s DNA. His can design without considering hometown of Wexford seems an people. We have this box that my unlikely inspiration for his extreme late grandmother, Chrissie, kept tailoring but his environment is key and it’s all of these paintings and to his unique direction. He draws Saint Martins was sourced entirely observations from when I was upon visual references like school from end of roll and unwanted about two until about eight, very uniforms, work wear, hand-me- fabrics and he aims to continue to informative and quite funny, it ABOVE: downs and religious dress, which avoid mass production and waste shows I haven’t changed much. Spring Summer wherever possible, and refuses to 2017 collection by he merges together to form a No-one ever discouraged it either, Richard Malone ‘typical’ Irish identity. Inspired by compromise on production in which is helpful, I know in school favour of fast fashion. RIGHT: the ordinary and the lack of vanity sometimes they would try to push Richard Malone in daily dressing, he reinterprets His star is rising fast; he has me to a safer career option, because this in his use of patchwork and exhibited at the National Textile I was good at Maths and English, embroidery. He mixes skills Museum of Wales, he has been but it made no sense to me. I think associated with old age couture, selected by the BBC as one of it’s so important to embrace what and materiality associated with the most creative up and coming you’re passionate about, and it the working classes. Sustainability talents to watch as part of their needs to be really encouraged in underlies each design. His BA Young Artists Day initiative and has our schools.” graduate collection from Central presented his collections at London

28 OUR WEXFORD and Riccardo Tisci, so it’s crazy to present your first collection to major international press in this context. Following this I won the Deutsche Bank Award for Fashion, which Christopher Kane previously won after his MA, so again I feel very lucky. “It’s allowed me creative freedom; I’ve turned down four major job offers in Paris to establish my own brand, which is going really well now.” Malone’s intention as a designer is to change the fashion industry. He shoots his with “real women, intelligent and inspiring young women. A portrait I took of my 82-year-old grandmother was even on my show invite this season. I want to involve real people who are where I’m from; it should be accessible for everyone.” On visiting and working in Ireland, Richard says that he loves to come home. “I actually have a studio in Wexford where the collections are made and where we do private orders and made-to- measure pieces. It’s so refreshing being back here and away from the fashion cycle, I’m really not that fashion-y at all. The studio is a converted shed, and it really is just that. I can be totally creative and there is no one nearby to disagree with it, its great. “My intention is to keep the studio here and keep the products made Speaking about his plans for the a design competition with Louis in Ireland, I’m actually crossing my future, Richard says, “I think one Vuitton while I was in second fingers that I can get a grant from of the main reasons I’m a designer year, and was offered a contract the council to expand the business, is because I see so many problems to go and work there immediately they seem really supportive so far. with fashion, so in a way I see it afterwards. So I was 22 and living It would be great to have a really as a way of resolving those. To be in Paris working for the biggest directional and artisanal label honest the ‘industry’ isn’t really an fashion house in the world, it was coming out of Wexford, and why interest of mine, nor is anything crazy. This is within four years of not? My long-term goal is to start to do with celebrity, I’m far more doing my leaving cert in St Peters taking on local staff, up-skilling interested in people. in Wexford. ABOVE: local communities and providing Spring Summer “I didn’t move to London to “I was then shortlisted for the creative employment right here, 2017 collection by become a ‘London’ designer, and I LVMH which was insane, as they with a really enjoyable atmosphere Richard Malone feel really lucky that I was accepted own all the major companies – for everyone. to Central Saint Martins without Vuitton, Celine, Fendi, Dior, you “The best thing about coming a foundation, as it never happens. name it! I eventually won, which to Wexford is seeing family and I worked incredibly hard, from meant they would fund my entire friends. Also the food in Wexford 8.30am - 10.30pm every single final year. Then I was selected is particularly brilliant, I’ve lived day in the studio. I feel very lucky to open the BA Fashion press in Paris and London and honestly because these massive companies show, which is a major honour; Irish hospitality and cooking is really responded to my point of previous graduates are people many, many steps above both.” view and my work ethic. I won like John Galliano, Phoebe Philo

OUR CRAFT 29 OUR FOOD

The production of great local and artisanal foods in Wexford has always been a big part of business here, however over the last number of years this has grown exponentially. Opportunities in the agri-food sector are abundant; and it has become one of the prime growth sectors in recent years. County Wexford’s unspoilt green countryside along with our long-standing tradition in agriculture and food production by a mix of both processing and artisan food producers guarantees the production of top quality Wexford food which is distributed nationally and globally.

YELLOWBELLY BY NAME, NOT BY NATURE.

YellowBelly Beer opened its the world. In 2009, Simon and They now supply pubs, restaurants brewery doors in 2015 at their myself undertook a brewing course and off-licences across Ireland, busy pub ‘Simon Lambert & in Manchester and when we the UK and Europe with their Sons’ in the heart of Wexford. arrived home, we decided to build Citra pale ale, lager and other The brewery’s name pays a brewery on site here at Simon speciality beers to continue homage to the nickname Lambert & Sons.” offering beer consumers quality ‘yellowbellies’ bestowed upon and variety. YellowBelly have the Wexford townsfolk, while also won multiple national and also being full of irony in IN 2017, YELLOWBELLY international awards. that owners Nicky and Simon As well as producing top quality Lambert never fear to be HAS FURTHER beers, the company also produces progressive and innovative with EXPANDED INTO A NEW award-wining branding across their business. BREWERY WITH STATE their product range, merchandise, Situated on South Main Street, comic book series and even a Simon Lambert & Sons is a family OF THE ART PACKAGING video game. Creative Director run pub which has been part of the TECHNOLOGY, QUALITY and Wexford native Paul Reck Wexford backdrop for 52 years. It was initially hired to create the has seen steady business over its CONTROL SYSTEMS YellowBelly beer logo and brand lifetime, however in the face of a AND LOTS MORE SPACE assets, but soon became a full- rapidly imploding Irish economy time member of the team. He ABOVE: the brothers felt it was time for now oversees brand management, The YellowBelly something new. The brewery, which took a number content creation and design, and team of years to plan and build, was works alongside the packaging “Pubs were closing all around initially located in the basement of team to ensure that customers us,” says director Nicky Lambert. the pub. It was entirely designed initially choose YellowBelly beers “Simon and myself agreed that it and installed by the owners with on tap or shelves, before the was time to diversify our product the help of local tradesmen, quality of the beer keeps them offering and look towards a and has since undergone three coming back for more. sustainable business model that expansions and brewed over 200 has been in operation across the Discover more at different beers under the careful continent and the US for the last www.yellowbellybeer.ie. watch of Head Brewer Declan two decades. In 2008 we started Nixon. stocking craft beers from around

32 OUR WEXFORD WEXFORD: A MODEL COUNTY FOR FOOD

Wexford: the Food Capital of “Wexford has the best climate and “make County Wexford a food re- Ireland. soil for growing food and rearing gion” renowned internationally. “We animals for food,” explains Paula firmly believe that Wexford is the Has a nice ring to it, and while Ronan, CEO of the Wexford Food food capital of Ireland and we have there’s no such official designation Family and someone has been there the ingredients for that to happen. when it comes to food, it’s a goal from the start. “We also have the being aimed at by the Wexford “There’s a Wexford eco-system being best farming heritage. Wexford is Food Family, a network of developed, gathering momentum and known as the Model County and producers across the county who helping the economy and jobs, and that actually started from agricul- are putting the area on the map, any job created is good.” ture, because Wexford was the first so to speak, of gourmet goodies. to use modern farming techniques, She agrees that the “knowledge and Established in 2011 with 14 showing the rest of the country how experience” shared by members at members, the Wexford Food Family to use them. The skills of Wexford their meetings and events is one of now counts 46 different members, farmers are well-known particularly the largest pluses of the network. ranging from one-person artisan in Irish farming terms.” “If you’re a start-up and looking for outfits to large multi-nationals like information, then just sitting around Glanbia and Danone. the table is great.” It’s been hard to get support from It all makes sense; County Wexford WEXFORD HAS THE the government but Wexford has the most hours of sunshine and BEST CLIMATE AND County Council have come on the least amount of rainfall of any board, Paula says. “And they can see county, making for top weather SOIL FOR GROWING this is working,” with about 1,700 conditions for coming up with high FOOD AND REARING jobs supported by members, 277 quality food. ANIMALS FOR FOOD. WE of which were created in the last ABOVE: Whether it’s the grass-fed cows year. Meanwhile, 2,500 farmers and Ballycross Apple Farm and cattle for the highest quality ALSO HAVE THE BEST fishermen are supported by members € milk, cheese and dairy products or FARMING HERITAGE of the network, worth a total of 525 beef, or the potatoes and sun-kissed million to the economy. strawberries for which Wexford is So it’s a win-win and only going to get famous (and to which you can add A number of major events are held by better for the Wexford Food Family sweet tomatoes of late) the region the network to showcase their produce itself, its members and Wexford in lends itself to produce which is to the wider community. Members general. among the world’s best. also embark on “learning trips”. As Paula puts it: “Our small family So, why not promote it to the wider According to Paula, the goal is to is growing bigger and becoming world? stronger every day.”

OUROUR CRAFT FOOD 33 BEAN & GOOSE CHOCOLATE

Sisters Karen and Natalie after learning how to temper Wexford has one of the biggest Keane established Bean and chocolate from French chocolatier overwintering populations of birds Goose Chocolate in 2014. Benoit Lorge. Starting as a small in Europe, including the bean concern they began selling their goose. When they first started they products on Saturday mornings made their incredible handmade In 2015 Bean and Goose was at Glasnevin Market, Dublin; chocolates in the kitchen of their accepted on the Foodworks the sisters tried out various home in Wexford. Their first program, a Bord Bia, Enterprise combinations and sought customer creations of small batch single- Ireland and Teagasc-backed opinion on the results. origin bars and truffles were made accelerator programme. In 2016 on marble slabs using traditional salary support from the Local techniques. They have grown to be a Enterprise Office in Wexford team of chocolatiers with equipment CURRENTLY EMPLOYING allowed Bean and Goose to take in order to meet demand. SIX PEOPLE, INCLUDING on a full-time chocolatier, they received Competitive Start Up Each creation is to the highest KAREN AND HER Funding from Enterprise Ireland standard and their unusual-but- and are working towards High delicious flavour combinations SISTER NATALIE, WHO Potential Start Up Funding. really set them apart. The chocolate ARE JOINT FOUNDERS, is made using complex, rich The next step for the Keane sisters flavours of single origin paired with BEAN & GOOSE IS NOW is to launch their online store. flavours that reflect and celebrate MAKING PLANS TO Karen and Natalie aspire to create the Irish seasons. a global Irish brand that can retain DEVELOP EXPORTS its integrity and roots whilst scaling The company has over 70 up. “As we grow, we would be customers: a mix of independent mindful of emulating companies retailers, design spaces, hotels, In 2014, they asked a design that have fantastic corporate and cafés in Ireland and Northern company, Designgoat, to work with culture. It is the key to help turn Ireland, including Avoca, Brown them on their packaging. Design a company vision into reality. Thomas, Shannon Airport & is a very important layer to their ABOVE: Companies like Zappos or Whole Karen & Natalie Teeling Whiskey. They also provide story. They work in collaboration Foods have passionate, engaged, tempering gifting services and host chocolate with designers, illustrators, food chocolate and active cultures that are on making workshops for corporate producers and other brands to bring display for the world to see. clients. different elements to their products, in terms of packaging, design or “Our top performing bar is a Employing six people, including flavour inspiration. dark chocolate from Ecuador, Karen and her sister Natalie, who 70% paired with roasted spiced are joint founders, Bean & Goose The chocolate bars are made in hazelnuts and Wexford honey, and is making plans to develop product moulds, these have the topography our most popular truffle is Irish sea for export. of ‘Last Tree Farm’ as the pattern, salt caramel,” says Natalie. a link back to the Wexford home They set out to do something of Bean and Goose. Even their www.beanandgoose.ie different with chocolate, inspired name Bean and Goose has a story.

34 OUR WEXFORD KILLOWEN FARM

Traceability is a key word these grew to include Dunnes Stores, easy option and add preservatives days in food production and at Tesco, SuperValu, not to mention and have a shelf life of six months, Killowen Farm at Courtnacuddy independent retailers such as but we won’t do that.” in County Wexford, it’s a word Donnybrook Fair and hotels across Another reason to remain in which can be emphasised again Wexford and Ireland. Wexford is that it’s convenient and again. According to the sales and for distribution to both Dublin The yogurts made at Killowen by marketing director Pauline Dunne, and Cork, has a good climate for the Dunne family and their team “the people of County Wexford have growing grass and, thus, producing are 100pc from milk produced by given great support to Killowen and milk, and has easy access to excellent the dairy cows on the farm, with got it up and running.” locally-grown fruits. “Our cows are fruit sourced locally as much as out in the fields 10 months of the possible and without adding artificial year. They’re only in for the real, preservatives, flavours or colours. THE YOGURTS MADE real harsh weather in the winter and because the land is very good, we get The family have been farming at optimal use. The cows flourish being Courtnacuddy for generations and AT KILLOWEN ARE 100 outside and that adds to the flavour.” got into the yogurt business over 10 PERCENT FROM MILK years ago, when Nicholas Dunne So that all makes for a recipe for sought ways to add value to the high- PRODUCED BY THE success, along with a lot of hard quality milk produced by his cows. DAIRY COWS ON THE work. “It didn’t happen overnight,” Pauline points out. “It’s taken all this The Killowen yogurt name already FARM, WITH FRUIT time over the last number of years. existed in Wexford and when the We were able to grow the brand and opportunity arose to take it over, SOURCED LOCALLY AS go into the stores and promote it.” Nicholas duly did so and moved MUCH AS POSSIBLE production from Crossbeg to But all the promotion and market- Courtnacuddy. ing in the world is no good without a quality product range. Killowen A number of outbuildings were To allow for the expansion in sales have that high-quality product with converted into production facilities countrywide, Killowen invested ABOVE: its emphasis on nutrition. There’s no The team at and today, as it was 10 years ago, in new machinery as well as new sugar added to the natural yogurt, Killowen Farm the yogurt is made right beside the storage and chill facilities, but the while the fruit flavours such as farm’s milking parlour. farm at Cournacuddy remains home. strawberry, rhubarb, lemon curd, “The most important thing to us 160 cows are milked twice daily and blueberry, forest fruit, and blackcur- is that it’s the milk we produce on the milk is then turned into yogurt, rant have minimal levels of sugar. the farm that’s used to make the packed, chilled and sent off to an yogurt,” as Pauline puts it. “We “That’s not an accident. We made a ever-growing range of retailers and make the yogurt on Monday, pack decision that we wanted our yogurt hotels. it on Tuesday and it leaves us on to be different from everything else Initially they recieved support Wednesday. We only make to order out there.” from the Wexford-based Pettitt’s because we have a 28-day shelf life And it is. supermarkets and the list of outlets for the products. We could take the

OUROUR CRAFT FOOD 35 GOOD FOOD IRELAND & JEFFARES FAMILY FARM

Today it seems like a no-brainer. Good Food Ireland is based in shared philosophy to that food But when it was established Wexford but today has over 600 experience.” in 2006 by Margaret Jeffares, members spread right across the Margaret came up with the Good Food Ireland was very island of Ireland, all with one concept while on her travels much a pioneering concept, common goal, to continue to overseas on business when she ahead of its time. It lost no time, improve Ireland as a food brand realised there was a curiosity however, in getting down to the and a food destination. abroad and an appetite for Irish business of achieving its primary After all, two of our most food and Ireland as a country. goal: promoting Ireland as a important and oldest indigenous food destination. She found there was a new-found industries are agriculture and importance placed on quality and Before 2006, there was no such tourism so it makes perfect sense traceability following international nationwide, all-island network for to combine the two and to involve scares such as SARS, bird flu, BSE the purposes of getting quality as much collaboration and co- and foot and mouth. food producers and outlets operation as possible to maximise together and branding them as a that business. “People were beginning to ask collective, with the emphasis on about Ireland, was our food safe, After the first two years alone of quality. where do we go, and so on. I felt Good Food Ireland’s existence, people were asking for a guarantee “Many of the people who are 92pc of its member businesses had around a good, safe, quality food promoted through Good Food increased their purchasing of Irish experience. Ireland have been doing this food, contributing €50 million to ABOVE: for 25 or 30 years, but nobody the economy, and within a further “Farmers were looking at high Margaret Jeffares, Good Food Ireland was giving them recognition for year that had increased to 98pc of value products and looking for that commitment to using local members. a market. In my opinion, was ingredients in their products,” stifling their growth was the lack “The most important thing and Margaret explains. of market opportunity. I thought the most unique thing about Good if we could create Ireland as a She herself has long been familiar Food Ireland around local food food destination, we could create with the quality food business, experiences is that it’s an approved opportunities for farmers to bring through Mr Jeffares Blackcurrants, standard,” Margaret adds. “It’s these visitors into their businesses.” which is run on the family farm at the only approved standard in Ballykelly in Drinagh, Wexford by the island of Ireland for local As with any new venture, there her husband Des Jeffares. food, with a commitment and were “challenges” from the

36 OUR WEXFORD outset for the Wexford-based organisation, which has its network throughout all of our counties, but Margaret found that, from the beginning, there was “huge support” for what she and the early pioneers were trying to do. “What Good Food Ireland focuses on are the people who are genuinely committed to using the ingredients of our country and showcasing them, because they believe that’s the best food and milk and butter and cream. There’s Blackcurrant Cordial, which has the best food ingredients they can nothing like it in the world. Then proved to be a hit with discerning offer to their customers. It’s about there’s our meat, fantastic provided consumers. “When Des was giving the best choice of food to it’s cooked correctly. We have got researching this product he very the customers.” wonderful, grass-fed beef which much wanted to produce a drink More than ten years on, and GFI we take for granted. You put this which he grew up on, and which recently entered a new phase of its into any other country around his Mum used to give them as development with the launch of its the world and it’s premium beef. kids.” With three-quarters of a food tourism business, a “one-stop- It’s very, very special and that’s kilogram of blackcurrants in each shop” of sorts for people who want why our food and our agri-food bottle, the emphasis is firmly on to enjoy a quality food experience sector is so deeply engrained in our the fruit. “He tried adding other in Ireland. culture. To me it’s the taste.” fruits to it but all of them took away from the blackcurrant taste Farming and food production has “We are putting together bespoke he had from childhood memory. changed in the last decade, she itineraries for international It was all about allowing the says, with more of an emphasis visitors,” Margaret says. blackcurrant to shine. It’s fantastic now on quality products, with to have customers taste it and, Somebody’s wishes for a trip more small operators going into when they open the bottle, go to Ireland could be as simple the likes of cheese-making, cider- ‘wow’.” as ensuring they are staying making, balsamic vinegar, ice somewhere good and eating well cream and yogurts, to name just a Again, taste is the key. throughout their stint in this few examples. country, whether they’re from Meanwhile, one of the secrets to the home or abroad. “They could be Of course, Margaret herself and success of Good Food Ireland is, as golfing or sight-seeing or want the Jeffares family know all about Margaret puts it, “the connectivity to see the scenery and just want quality ingredients. Ballykelly between members,” and the level of to have a good gastronomic Farm has 100 acres devoted to co-operation at all levels. “It’s going experience as they go around.” the production of one of the from one family member to the healthiest, tastiest fruits of them next, they’re all part of Good Food Then there are the experts, such all: blackcurrants. Ireland and all think the same and as a group of culinary lecturers are like-minded people. That’s a For decades the Jeffares family from Scandinavia who wanted to unique experience.” meet the chefs and the producers supplied Ribena with a good and get behind the scenes of our chunk of the drink company’s Another offering is a special pre- food culture. “Because of the blackcurrants but had to change paid Mastercard, which users can unparalleled access that we have direction some years ago when present at any member outlet, and the fact that we know our Ribena, after being sold, decided along with a touring map which they didn’t need Irish fruit any highlights of all the best places to industry so well, we can offer this ABOVE: to our visitors and we can give the more. eat and drink. “They become like Des on the Farm a member of the family.” in Ballykelly visitors something that nobody else Des Jeffares decided to start can.” supplying IQF blackcurrants - Then, before they go home, So what makes Irish food so Individually Quick Frozen - whch visitors get a “gourmet souvenir” to appealing to the international means they are harvested on the take with them - from GFI’s online gourmand or casual eater? farm, frozen to the point that they gourmet food shop - and which feel like “little marbles” and not a they can in time share with their “The biggest thing is the taste,” combined mush, and then sold on. family and friends and discuss. Margaret says. “Irish food just Spreading the good news about Last year, the company launched tastes so different. Our dairy is Ireland, its food and Good Food its own cold-pressed, no-added- really second to none, down to our Ireland. sugar drink, Des Jeffares’ Irish

OUROUR CRAFT FOOD 37 DOING BUSINESS IN WEXFORD

38 The largest town in the southeast, Wexford is superbly located. With an excellent transport infrastructure, a well-populated catchment area, educated workforce, a third-level college and a progressive local authority, Wexford simply offers investors more. Wexford has established a solid reputation in the agri-food business, medical technology, ICT and financial services sectors. Food produced here is trusted worldwide and we feed everyone from newborn babies to members of royal families. Wexford companies are saving lives in operating theatres around the world, providing safe, sanitised water to those in need and delivering time-saving business services for global organisations. Business Profile SCURRI

That package you received this The business was established by manage deliveries. The barcode morning? At business, or at Rory O’Connor, initially from his label is the key to getting home, shortly after making your home village of Duncannon on the something delivered.” latest online order? Chances County Wexford coast, in 2010. When the courier arrives to collect are, Scurri had something to do Rory worked for years at world- the item, they use the barcode with it. famous Waterford Crystal, in the to scan it into their system and sales and marketing department E-commerce is becoming more then proceed with delivery, so the of the luxury goods brand, and and more widely-used, not just same code is used throughout the also for some time with AOL on a in the world of business where transaction. number of IT projects. for years it’s been a daily part of “Years ago, if you ordered life, but also at home where more His stints at both of those firms something from Amazon it would and more people are choosing to taught him the importance of go off into the ether and you’d be order clothes, technology, gifts, good logistics: no point in having hoping it would arrive safely.” furniture, and more online with quality products to sell if you can’t the convenience of often better get them to the customer on time. The barcode technology ensures value and delivery to their door. nothing is left to chance. Originally, the thinking behind “We keep the wheels oiled in How to ensure a smooth transition Scurri was to solve the problem e-commerce and it all happens between order, despatch, shipping of excess capacity, and freeing up behind the scenes.” and delivery? That’s where capacity for use by consumers. Scurri comes in. Think of the Scurri use about 30 different “If you had a canoe or a box or a company, which has its head carriers in the UK, choosing set of wheels to deliver, we were office in Wexford and also has whichever one works best for each a one-stop-shop for that,” he offices in Dublin and London, as particular order based on weight explains. a kind of “one-stop-shop” for the or size or location. e-commerce business. They realised after a short time The company is now based in that the area of barcode software Scurri provides peace of mind Wexford town, employing about was one that could do with both for the retailer, who wants to 30 people, with exciting plans to attention, so Scurri became a ensure there’s no glitch between expand to as much as double that primarily B2B company, using sending off an item and that item’s size in the coming years. cloud computing to take all arrival at the customer’s base or purchase, order and delivery Most of the employees work from home, and for the purchaser who information, generating a unique Wexford, with some developers can track the order from initial barcode for each transaction and based in various locations across payment to delivery. ensuring that the barcode could the world. Rory finds that be used to track a delivery Wexford has many attractions item from start to finish. when it comes to attracting the best international staff. “Since 2013 we’ve All of our people are focused on the UK The area already has a heritage market. We provide in the logistics business, mainly top-class developers who solutions to due to the presence of Rosslare e-commerce Europort and its easy access to the have a look at our video and merchants UK and continental Europe. to provide Meanwhile, as a place to live and ‘‘ come and visit us and they love barcode work Wexford has few equals, labels according to the CEO. “All of our Wexford. Some people want to and people are top-class developers go to the city but other people are who have a look at our video and come and visit us and they love looking for a different experience. Wexford. We’re right beside the sea and it’s a nice town, not too Rory O’Connor, CEO and Founder, Scurri big and not too small, and has 40 OUR WEXFORD ’’ a great buzz outside the door. It It’s a fast-changing industry but brings a different edge to coming Rory feels that Ireland and our to work in Ireland. Some people AS A PLACE TO LIVE people are adept at changing with want to go to the city but other AND WORK WEXFORD the times and staying ahead of the people are looking for a different technological curve. That’s a trait HAS FEW EQUALS. IT ABOVE: experience.” that is likely to serve Scurri well Rory O’Connor, BRINGS A DIFFERENT into the future. Rory started the business on CEO and Founder, EDGE TO COMING TO Scurri November 22, 2010, a day of WORK IN IRELAND. “I’m very optimistic,” he says. infamy in Irish economic history “E-commerce has been growing as it was on that date that the and we find that we have the most international troika came to this progressive customers. I don’t see country to resuscitate our then- days of the recession but things that abating. It’s only going to dying economy. Now, it’s all have changed an awful lot. keep growing.” different and there’s a palpable However, in the tech industry there mood of confidence. hasn’t really been a recession. We’ve “We started right in the darkest been quite cushioned from it.”

DOINGOUR BUSINESS CRAFT 41 Business Profile CLEARSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES

Established when the country workforce. Many of these have ClearStream brand products for was on the cusp of an graduated from Ireland’s third- the market and also entered the unprecedented economic boom, level colleges and are ready to “peripheral” sector, manufacturing ClearStream Technologies enter the market with a visionary products not just for the heart has pretty much seen it all. employer located within striking but also for the leg. This was It has ridden out the Celtic distance of many of our cities and the obvious route forward as the Tiger and the subsequent airports. This is just one element company already had developed crash, successfully completed of the company’s fortunes in the technological know-how to a management buyout and, in recent years. pursue such a move. recent years, become the subject ClearStream Technologies was “We felt that the peripheral sector of a takeover by a superb global initially founded in 1996 as a was where we could really make giant, CR Bard. Recently they subsidiary of Angiodynamics Ltd, an impact,” Pauline says. “We have bucked another trend by to manufacture products for the did that and signed some very expanding their workforce (as a coronary healthcare market. The significant deals with well-known result of an increased workload) company was previously focused large companies to distribute our over the last year or so. on diagnostics and interventional products.” One person who has been on that procedures. “We were their In 2004, the company floated rollercoaster since ClearStream first subsidiary outside the US,” on the London exchange. This was set up in 1996 is Pauline Pauline recalls. That remained allowed the company to gain Oakes. She now reflects on a the case for four years, before funding for its research and period of success from the time a management buy-out took development activities in order ClearStream was acquired by CR place which led to ClearStream to further develop its suite of Bard in 2011. becoming a wholly Irish-owned products. “We released 12 new company. “When we started with CR Bard products, the tide started to turn we employed about 220,” the As an independent company, for us and we started to grow Director of Operations says. “We ClearStream was a great success. again.” are now at 410.” Then came a “seismic change” in By now it was 2006 or 2007 and the market thanks to the arrival That upsurge in recruitment has the end of the decade-long boom of a new generation of stent come mostly from the Wexford/ was in sight. However, because of coronary care products and this southeast area where there is a ClearStream’s experience, expertise threatened the very future of the highly-educated, flexible and innovation they were once business. “We lost a lot of sales in again going against the grain. a 12-month period. A lot of our “Our fortunes started to turn as customers disappeared and our we developed a bigger range of sales dropped dramatically. peripheral products and signed We had to refocus and re- some deals with large medical think our future growth device companies.” strategy.” Pauline herself had a diverse and Having previously exciting journey since joining Ireland is as accessible sold on a ClearStream as a computer business-to- science and economics graduate from the east coast of business basis, from University College Cork. ClearStream She initially took responsibility America as are Seattle or San decided to for running the company’s IT develop network. She subsequently moved ‘‘ Francisco on the west coast – their into IT management, then into own which is a key factor in today’s supply chain management. She became supply chain manager global economy. and then joined the board as an executive director. She then Pauline Oakes, Director of Operations, ClearStream acceded to the role of Operations 42 OUR WEXFORD ’’ Director in ClearStream Today the core of ClearStream’s Meanwhile, a healthy work-life technologies and she now very activity remains the development balance is easily-attainable in proudly holds the role of Director of cutting-edge medical devices County Wexford with its many of Operations, CR Bard. used by vascular surgeons, natural and built amenities. radiologists and cardiologists In 2009, ClearStream signed a deal Pauline points out that Ireland is when carrying out angioplasty with CR Bard on a customer basis as accessible from the east coast procedures. and in 2011 the multi-national of America as Seattle or San decided to buy the County The export market accounts Francisco on the west coast, which Wexford-based company. “Since for about 99pc, if not 100pc, is a key factor in today’s global then we’ve grown rapidly,” says of ClearStream Technology’s economy. Pauline. sales and this is helped by the “Our products would be going to company’s strategically-beneficial The business opened a new every region of the world. We still location in County Wexford – production facility in 2014 which do some business-to-business sales. located close to ports and airports is responsible for manufacturing Our big markets would be the US, and sizable centres of learning new products for the peripheral obviously, but also China, Russia from which to recruit its staff. healthcare market. This has and continental Europe.” ABOVE: facilitated a huge growth in activity “I think the improvements in Pauline Oakes, The relationship with CR Bard and in staff numbers. the infrastructure are really Director of has been “very good and very Operations, positive. Even from a basic point “It’s been quite a rollercoaster productive” since the takeover and ClearStream like getting a corporate visitor to journey but I’m never complacent has well-positioned ClearStream the plant (and we have a lot of about that, considering our history. to both ride out the recession corporate visitors, particularly I’ve been here from the outset and and now, hopefully, avail of the in the last year during our I know what it’s like to go through “economic upturn enveloping the expansion). Wexford is very the ups and downs. Last year our Irish economy”. accessible from the US; from biggest challenge was maintaining Dublin Airport to Wexford is now control during a period of rapid only about an hour and a half.” growth and development.”

DOING BUSINESS 43 Business Profile IDA - SOUTH EAST

Wexford can look forward enterprises in Ireland, representing investments. Central to this is a to a positive business future almost one in 10 workers in the strong ambition for employment according to the new IDA South economy. growth throughout all regions over East Region Manager Brendan the lifetime of the strategy. We are The role of the South East Regional McDonald. targeting a minimum increase in Manager, to which Brendan investment of 30pc to 40pc for the Brendan and his team in Ireland McDonald was appointed in 2017, southeast region.” and overseas are promoting Wexford is to drive foreign investment into and the southeast region in order to counties Wexford, Waterford, Brendan says that the people of the take advantage of the opportunities Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary. region are central to success. “Our that are arising from Brexit as high levels of productivity and a Brendan says that the IDA is well as further improvements in deep talent base have endowed us midway through their current infrastructure, close proximity to with major strengths. We have key strategic plan, ‘Winning Foreign the capital, direct access to a roll on talent available in Wexford and Direct Investment 2015–2019’ in roll off port, a talented workforce across the region who can help to which he says there are some very and the unrivalled quality of life on provide more value add to company specific and ambitious goals. “This offer in Wexford. headquarters, be they in the US, plan has ambitious targets with Europe or elsewhere around the Brendan says that all of these aspects goals to deliver 80,000 new jobs, globe. Outside of attracting talent, are absolutely key when it comes to 900 investments, €3 billion R&D companies also need to know that the decision-making process behind investments and balanced regional they can feel part of the community choosing a location for Foreign growth.” when they embed in too; and Direct Investment. As well as the significant presence Wexford very much has the quality IDA Ireland is the country’s of Irish owned companies in of life that company executives and Investment Development Agency Wexford, sectors such as financial employees desire. I can’t overstate and its main role is to attract and services, medical, technical, and how important this is; people don’t sustain FDI since 1969 when the internationally-traded services want to commute two hours to Irish state first opened up to the all feature strongly in the current Dublin each day; people do want a international market in a significant Wexford portfolio and hopes are good role to build their career but way. The relationship between high that they’ll grow even more. also excellent quality of life, and Ireland and overseas companies Wexford certainly offers this in “Our goals within the 2015-2019 has stood the test of time, with the spades.” strategic plan is to win 900 new numbers providing compelling investments for Ireland, this Wexford is uniquely positioned evidence; there are over 199,877 represents a 40pc increase on the just one hour from Dublin with a people employed in foreign-owned 2010-2014 targets. Regional direct port access located within the development is a major county and according to Brendan component of our present this infrastructure is key. Wexford very much has corporate strategy. In “Long-term investments, made by 2015 for the first time, Transport Infrastructure Ireland the quality of life that ambitious investment and Wexford County Council, are targets have been set contributing to an environment company executives and for each region, that enables IDA Ireland to drive with a strong growth. Some very important pieces ‘‘ employees desire. People do focus on that are coming down the track are securing an the M11 extension from Gorey just want a good role to build their increased south of Enniscorthy along with share of career but also have an excellent thenew N25 New Ross bypass. These are key infrastructural pieces quality of life and Wexford certainly from an access perspective, because the easier you can make it for people offers this in spades. to travel, the easier they can see that they are connected, not only Brendan McDonald, Regional Manager, IDA South East Region 44 OUR WEXFORD ’’ to Dublin but also to Europe and the south of the country. We have the M9 motorway coming down from Dublin through Carlow to Waterford but this new development will open up the east outside of the region to everybody from Dublin right down to Waterford. That can not only be beneficial for companies in Wexford but also in the wider region - opening up access to more talent across the region. People will be able to travel further within a shorter period of time without having to commute to Dublin or Cork for a role that is commensurate with their talent and their experience. These are the kinds of things that we sell to companies all of the time, and this is so important to companies. “We also pitch the direct access in County Wexford with the roll on roll off port at Rosslare Europort, this is of great value to companies particularly in the manufacturing sector as they need to know that they can get product to market as quickly and as efficiently as possible and Rosslare offers sheer convenience and ease of access to the various markets in Europe.” hand but it is also an opportunity global financial marketers and Lake on the other. We are looking at Region and Waters Technology who When it comes the to the property Brexit as opportunistic and we are send product all over the world. solutions available for FDI Brendan pitching Wexford as a viable second We have those references and those says, “We aim to partner with site solution for companies who are companies who have hundreds of companies and help them develop already located in Dublin in the people hired, who did a great job the business case for investment in first instance. We are also pitching for those companies showcasing Ireland. We also work hand-in-hand it in the second as a viable solution that you can be a global player from with companies to identify property to companies who may wish to Wexford.” and office solutions, particularly locate or relocate in order to set up a The message from Brendan and the in regional locations. The new European office from the UK. M11 Business Park in Gorey is an IDA Southeast team is to continue exemplary site of that nature; this “We are out in the market place to promote the huge array of positive is what we call a Grade A building continually and we have an office attributes connected with operating and this is a site that we are actively in London which has increased its globally from Wexford and the promoting at present. The plans staffing within the last year. The region. Along with the combined and developments on track for the team there is actively promoting the strength of the inter-agency Trinity Wharf site and other key region on a daily basis to various workings and close co-operative different companies. The challenge attitude to doing business that exists ABOVE: sites are strategic for Wexford’s Brendan McDonald positioning and it is something we here is to get the companies to think between Wexford County Council, Regional Manager, that they can do business outside the Local Enterprise Offices, IDA South East welcome and offer credit to Wexford Region County Council in terms of their of London, where they are used Chambers of Commerce, existing foresight to develop these sites. to a massive population on their businesses, education and training doorstep; our job on the ground is providers and the IDA, Wexford is With the as yet unknown extent of to convince them that if they come well positioned to continue to put changes that Brexit will enforce, the here they can build an offering its best foot forward as the ideal IDA view Brexit as an opportunity that serves global markets, and we base for new multinationals in the for Ireland. have the reference companies who services or manufacturing space. “Brexit is a big challenge on the one already do that from Wexford. For instance, BNY Mellon who serve

DOING BUSINESS 45 Business Profile WATERS TECHNOLOGIES

What James Waters began in traded corporation with more than and they essentially perform an office basement of a police 7,000 employees; operating directly chemical analysis. They separate station in Framingham, MA, in 31 countries, its products are and measure the constituents of USA, has evolved into a $2.2 available in more than 100. a sample; this could be water, billion corporation serving tens blood or a pharmaceutical Celebrating 20 years in Wexford, of thousands of scientists all mixture, and our technology Waters Technologies employs 330 over the world, and its company deciphers what is in that sample people, having grown from just 20 values of ‘Delivering Benefit’ and how much of each element it staff upon opening in 1997. The have not wavered since. contains. Simply put, an HPLC plant is a state of the art 145,000 system will separate a sample Almost 60 years in business, sq ft manufacturing facility, which into its chemical components Waters Technologies is the world’s is instrumental to Waters’ global and an MS system identifies leading specialty measurement manufacturing strategy. compounds by their molecular company, delivering benefit weight. The Wexford product through innovations and people output is used in laboratories that enable customer success AT WATERS, WE STRIVE around the world to test materials in the life, materials and food in the pharmaceutical, food, sciences. Specifically, the company TO CREATE A WORKPLACE environmental and other sectors. designs, manufactures, sells and CULTURE THAT REWARDS services ultra performance liquid “Our technology has many chromatography (UPLC), high HIGH PERFORMANCE important applications, for ABOVE: Waters performance liquid chromatography AND ENCOURAGES AND example, it is used to determine Technologies (HPLC), chromatography columns the results of newborn baby and chemistry products, mass FACILITATES INCLUSION, screening. It plays a fundamental spectrometry (MS) systems, thermal PARTICIPATION, AND role in quality control testing analysis and rheometry instruments. of many products including RESPECT pharmaceuticals such as the With a hard-earned reputation for common Aspirin tablet. When applications expertise, dedication there is a scare with food to customer success, and post-sales Senior Director of Wexford product contamination, Waters support, Waters stands out among Operations Liam Hore tells Technologies instruments are used its peers and year after year is one us that, in terms of operations to check if proper standards and of the best-performing companies at the Wexford facility, “Our specifications are being adhered to.” in the industry. It is a publicly products are quite complex

46 OUR WEXFORD Liam took up the position of Senior “The reason for choosing Ireland Director of Wexford Operations at the time was based on the in 2016 having moved through positive experience some of the ranks of Waters since he joined the senior Waters Corporation the company in 2004. “The fact executives had of working with Waters is based in Wexford was previous Irish operations. They hugely attractive to me; in 2004 I knew that there was excellent was working in Kerry for a Japanese well-educated talent in Ireland pharmaceutical company and, and that the people had a strong originally hailing from Wexford entrepreneurial spirit. These and having become a new father advantages still apply today; with at the time, it was a location I very the plant having grown not only much desired to live in and raise my organically but also through a family. Wexford offers an unrivalled Institute of Technology Carlow number of technology transfers. quality of life and it also affords an with their Wexford Campus and This growth and progression excellent standard of living. also Waterford IT through our can largely be attributed to the capabilities of the site and the team “One of the attractions of Waters is Education Assistance Program based here. More recently we have that we continue to provide growth and we feel that a university for also expanded our operations to opportunities for employees; my the southeast will provide more include research and development own career progression through talent in the STEM (Science, of reagent kits in support of our the company is a testament Technology, Engineering and customers requirements.” to this commitment. I joined Maths) areas and create a cluster Waters as Quality Manager; I was effect.” “We get an excellent return on subsequently promoted to Director The improvements in what I call discretionary effort of Quality Assurance and then infrastructure have made within the plant, our staff have moved to a Senior Director of Wexford more accessible to a really positive can do attitude. Quality Assurance role with global Waters executives and customers That culture is a little bit responsibility for Ireland, the US, globally. Liam says, “We’ve seen infectious here.” and the UK. In 2016 the Senior a large increase in the number Over the years Liam says that Director of Wexford Operations of customers who now come to Wexford County Council and the role came up. It is an excellent visit us in Ireland and this growth local agencies have also continued fit for me and it is a role I am not only helps to promote Waters to facilitate the growth of the relishing at the moment.” business but also Ireland as a company. “We have gone through According to Liam, Waters’ whole. Our global customers arrive three plant extensions here in sustained commitment to and are very pleasantly surprised Wexford and Wexford County investment in manufacturing by the calibre of our people, our Council have always been very and job creation in Wexford is lean processes and also the modern pro-business and have facilitated hugely significant. The Wexford facilities that we have to offer.” our discussions around planning operation is a strategically The company progression in efficiently. We also work closely important component of Ireland has been phenomenal; with Wexford Chamber, the Waters Corporation’s global Liam says that the credit for the American Chamber of Commerce, manufacturing footprint. company deciding to locate in the IDA, and IBEC through open days at the plant and site visits for “At Waters, we strive to create a Wexford some 20 years ago can further potential FDI research ABOVE: workplace culture that rewards largely be accredited to the IDA. trips. Liam Hore Senior high performance and encourages “When Waters was looking to set Director of Wexford and facilitates inclusion, up an Irish operation, the IDA had Waters has helped to advance Operations participation, and respect.” readily available infrastructure and science in a wide range of fields, this made it an easy decision for including life sciences, industrial Liam says that the Wexford plant Waters Corporation. chemicals, environmental enjoys excellent staff retention management, food safety, and levels, “We have team members “As we know, when multinationals water quality. As it celebrates more who started with us a junior level decide to open new operations in a than a half-century of growth and and have progressed through country, they usually want to do so achievement, the company remains the company to management within months rather than years. dedicated to supporting the next level. Waters offer employees While it is great to have green-field generation of groundbreaking an opportunity to work in a sites it was more important for analytical technology. multinational within the science Waters to have a facility available – and engineering sector. that was certainly a deciding factor for the decision for Waters to open “We work very closely with the Wexford plant.

DOING BUSINESS 47 Business Profile WEXFORD CHAMBERS

Wexford town and county hosts business in a county like Wexford NEW ROSS CHAMBER four Chambers of Commerce has the added benefits of a great New Ross town is the gateway to located in Wexford Town, quality of life, with arts, heritage, breathtaking scenery, secluded Enniscorthy, Gorey and New tourism and nature at every turn; coastal bays and the rolling hills Ross. All four are members a business community that works of south Wexford. It is a thriving of Chambers Ireland, the together for the improvement town of 7,000 people and the country’s largest business of our towns, and most of all a Chamber of Commerce in New organisation. wonderful sense of pride in how Ross works closely with the and what we achieve together.” town and the district’s business ENNISCORTHY CHAMBER community. GOREY CHAMBER Enniscorthy is a market town and New Ross & District Chamber continues to make strides with Gorey Chamber is the leading is embedded in the corporate, new developments in industry business organisation of its kind consumer and tourism sectors and infrastructure. The Chamber in north Wexford, supporting of the town and region, hosting works with the District council to businesses of all sizes and sectors networking occasions, creating promote developments in the area across the locality. Jim Hughes, business and tourism events like and relationships. Gorey Chamber President, the very successful Sunshine explains that “services range from Enniscorthy & District Saturdays, a Chamber voucher Build your Business meetings, Chamber is the largest business scheme which has seen nearly €2 Lunch with the Chamber and representative organisation in million kept in the local economy Business Start-Up to our annual the town and is affiliated to since its establishment in 2004. Christmas and Easter markets. Chambers Ireland. Enniscorthy The Chamber also works closely John McSweeney is the New Ross & District Chamber works for with Gorey Municipal District & District Chamber President the interests of business and for and LoveGorey.ie. and told us about the exciting the economic development of the opportunities that are on the town and county. It is the stated Jim highlights Wexford’s location horizon for the town. “New Ross vision of the Chamber to make as key to success. “Business in is a jewel in the crown of the Enniscorthy a better place to do Wexford has many different southeast region. The town has BELOW LEFT business. attributes with an excellent road TO RIGHT: a number of large projects about infrastructure, proximity to two Enniscorthy town, Chamber President Maree Lyng to come to fruition including shopping in Gorey ports and to two airports, it is shared with us her views on a Greenway, a Street Focus town and dining in wonderfully placed as a location New Ross business in Wexford. “Doing for business start-ups, indigenous Historical Project and the New industry and international Ross bypass which will all ensure operations.” an even more vibrant town centre.”

48 OUR WEXFORD Business Profile WEXFORD CHAMBER

Wexford Chamber of Commerce support and advice that they need to key decision makers about was established in 1835 and to find a solution.” considering the Model County as today almost 200 years later, a possible location. The Chamber is committed to it holds steadfast to the core continued innovation and to Another of Wexford Chamber’s principle of supporting the local developing proactive responses to objectives is to increase the business community. the challenges presented by the number of existing businesses that Headquartered in a state of prevailing business climate. The have an active online presence. the art building on Hill Street, plethora of vacant commercial Omni-channel marketing is Wexford Chamber aims to properties in Wexford town is a now a must for every business promote the economic and social scar from the recession that the as it offers market opportunities development of Wexford, with a Chamber is looking to eradicate. far beyond the confines of the view to making the community At the beginning of the year, over local bricks and mortar store. a better place to live, work and 100 commercial premises remained Therefore, throughout the year, do business, through a series of unoccupied, but the Chamber Wexford Chamber offers a series activities that acknowledge and has liaised with local estate agents of practical workshops which will promote the town as a thriving to determine the optimum use result in the attendees setting up enterprise hub. for these buildings and having an online shop for their business identified the ideal tenants, has and learning how they can In addition to organising 70 now successfully reached out to a effectively manage and market events per annum, it is the number of new businesses about this new channel. receptive and responsive nature locating in the town. ABOVE: of Wexford Chamber that is most Wexford Chamber’s ability to plan Karl Fitzpatrick, appealing to its growing member Critical to the success of this for and adapt to the latest market President, and base. CEO of Wexford Chamber initiative has been Wexford developments is evident, and this Madeleine Quirke, CEO, Wexford of Commerce, Madeleine Quirke, Chamber’s presence at industry will ensure its continued relevancy Chamber echoes this sentiment, by stating events, such as the Completely to the local business community. that, “The Chamber has fostered Retail and Leisure Marketplace And as Madeleine Quirke a culture of open and honest expo and the annual Call states, “We’re already laying the engagement with our members, Centre Management Association foundations for the next couple which has served us well in both expo. Such events have enabled of hunderd years of the Wexford identifying the issues that are Wexford, which has been the only Chamber of Commerce.” impacting upon them on a daily Chamber of Commerce to exhibit basis and providing them with the at these national arenas, to speak

DOING BUSINESS 49 Business Profile INNOVATE BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

Last year, INNOVATE Board, Kirby Engineering Group, measure the business outcomes. celebrated a seminal moment in and Barnardos among others. Jim is quick to point out that their 12-year history, by moving “Moving to our new offices at “technology has the potential to its southeast headquarters to Innovation house is a physical transform organisations in ways Innovation House at the M11 representation of our commitment you cannot even imagine, and we Business Hub in Gorey. It to our people at INNOVATE, know how to unlock the value of was a significant event for and to our community,” said Jim ICT to enable you to succeed.” INNOVATE’s co-founders. Hughes. He continues, “Through our In 2005, Jim Hughes (Chief Jim explains, “At INNOVATE, partnership approach, we Executive Officer) and Enda we have a keen focus on how evaluate our clients’ current ICT Cahill (Chief Technical Officer) digital transformation can environment and recommend joined forces with a vision drive commercial outcomes how and which cloud technologies to carve out a niche in the for our clients. While our and ICT solutions will offer Irish market: Transforming core competencies are substantial operational gains or technology to power fundamentally rooted in IT solve existing headaches. We organisations for growth. and Telecommunications, it is make world-class IT affordable INNOVATE design, deliver and our commercial understanding through our ‘as-a-service’ manage secure cloud-based IT and of how technology can drive business model that packages communications environments to organisational strategy that all IT infrastructure, cloud and create IT enabled organisations. differentiates us in the market.” managed service investment into one single monthly operating With a growing workforce of over There are many definitions of cost.” 40 people, INNOVATE is set to digital transformation. In a continue their growth in 2018. business sense, it defines how In 2015, INNOVATE grabbed INNOVATE’s list of customers an organisation can enhance or national media attention when is impressive. Clients include transform its commercial model they struck a deal with Wexford private, public and not for profit using technology. In doing so it GAA to rename the county sports organisations such as Glanbia plc, can gain a competitive advantage, grounds ‘INNOVATE Wexford Lifestyle Sports, Campus Oil, greater financial outcomes and Park’. It was one of the first deals DCC plc, the Irish Greyhound improved customer experiences of its kind in Ireland and the while simultaneously improving partnership was a perfect fit for business processes and increasing INNOVATE. organisational capacity. “2017 was a sterling year for It depends on strong INNOVATE. We sealed a string leadership, alignment of high-profile national contracts, Wexford’s people, between ICT and we added world-class executives the business, and to our dynamic team, and we location and reputation the ability to moved to our new home at Innovation House. We’re carving meet world-class standards. out our place at a national level yet remaining true to our roots in ‘‘ If you’re looking to build a north Wexford,” Jim reveals. For Jim, there are numerous business on character and reasons for basing a business in Wexford: “Wexford’s people, values, choose Wexford. location and reputation meet world-class standards. If you’re You won’t regret it. looking to build a business on character and values, choose Jim Hughes, CEO, Innovate Wexford. You won’t regret it”. 50 OUR WEXFORD ’’ ABOVE: Jim Hughes, CEO, Innovate

DOING BUSINESS 51 Business Profile SLANEY FOODS

Almost five decades ago, Back in 1967, Ireland was As CEO Rory Fanning puts it Bert Allen and his brothers preparing its entry to the today, “County Wexford and the established a new meat plant in European Common Market – surrounding counties are among Clohamon on the banks of the now the EU – looking forward the most fertile and productive river Slaney which has grown in to opening up many new export on the island of Ireland” while, the intervening period to become markets. This was particularly allied with this, there is a “solid one of Ireland’s leading beef important for Irish agriculture infrastructure” of family farms processors. covering dairy, beef and lamb, with a ready supply of sheep and in particular. The Allen family cattle. “Irish beef has for many Slaney Foods International in were well-established in farming years enjoyed an international Clohamon in County Wexford has and livestock at the time and reputation for excellence. become a byword for quality and is with these markets becoming “Traditional farming practices synonymous today with the highest accessible to Irish producers, they coupled with nutritious high ABOVE: standards in beef, as well as being Rory Fanning, CEO, saw the need to develop modern quality grass and an unspoiled Slaney Foods one of the area’s most important processing facilities which were environment, provide the employers. Today, together with geared towards exporting quality optimum conditions for quality Irish Country Meats in nearby Irish beef and lamb. beef production resulting in a Camolin, the Slaney Foods Group product of delicious and distinct employs over 600 people in Slaney Foods International, flavour.” Slaney Foods combines County Wexford. Wexford’s prime having grown into one of best-quality Irish beef with ultra- location in the “sunny southeast” Ireland’s leading beef processors, modern processing facilities to and its high-quality land make it prides itself on its reputation offer a product range of superb an ideal location for such an agri- for sourcing and producing quality, prepared precisely to food business. the highest quality Irish beef.

52 OUR WEXFORD the customer’s specification. the growth in production needed “We feel that the spirit of hard- “Selected from the best Irish to feed an ever-growing world working industry and the desire farms, our beef is traditionally population,” Rory added. “We to serve our customers are matured and carefully prepared have invested in recent years to inherent in the culture of County using the skills and craftsmanship prepare our plant for this, under Wexford.” of master butchers to ensure the umbrella of the first National Rory points to the excellent optimum tenderness and product Food Harvest plan to 2020, location, people, road presentation.” and beyond that under Food infrastructure and easy access Wise 2025. It is all about taking While half a century old, the to Dublin and Rosslare as key our excellent farm produce and company remains “young and benefits for any business in converting it into top-class quality vibrant” and believes in constant Wexford, while newcomers “will meat that has access to the best innovation. “Today it is the largest get tremendous support and available world markets. Our single primary beef processing encouragement from the local quality trained workforce, using plant on the island of Ireland,” authority. Future employees will best available technology, is ready Rory points out. have the attraction of living in a to deliver into the future.” Rory very pleasant environment with Slaney Foods is now a Joint stresses that all of this will be done good facilities for them and their Venture between the ABP with “a particular focus on our families.” Food Group, one of Europe’s environment,” and this focus is leading agri business companies shared by the company’s farmer See www.slaney.com for and Linden Foods, the leading suppliers. “We are proud and further details. Northern Ireland beef processor. committed members of Origin While serving markets at Green, the Irish Food Board (Bord home in Ireland, Slaney Foods Bia) Sustainable Food Production is predominantly an export Programme. This programme business. The United Kingdom, encapsulates this focus in a very continental Europe and the Far real way for businesses like ours. East are among its key export “In our company we feel that we markets today, while exciting are knitted into the community,” developments coming up for this he says when asked about the company include the resumption importance of Wexford as a of exports to the US and the location for Slaney Foods. “This opening of the Chinese market. is particularly true for us being Slaney Foods has developed part of the agriculture and food strong and successful long-term industry. The county and Traditional relationships with a variety of surrounding counties provide customers, including leading the raw material which farming practices supermarkets and food service is the life blood of our companies, covering all sectors coupled with nutritious business.” As a result, from Michelin-starred restaurants Slaney is “very much to top fast food chains; and the high quality‘‘ grass and an part of the local main food manufacturers in all of community” in their markets. unspoiled environment Clohamon, There are very important plans Bunclody provide the optimum in place for the development of and agriculture in Ireland under Food beyond. conditions for quality beef Wise 2025. “While we recognise production, resulting in a product that there are many challenges to agriculture at farm level, we are of delicious and distinct flavour confident that Irish farmers, being very progressive, will respond to Rory Fanning, CEO, Slaney Foods DOING BUSINESS ’’53 Business Profile LAKE REGION MEDICAL An INTEGER Company

It’s been an impressive 23 years world’s first pacemakers,” to ensure the company sticks to for the Lake Region Medical Director of Operations for Lake that upwardly-mobile trend graph. devices plant in New Ross Region, an Integer Company, In 2012 Lake Region Medical in County Wexford which Eddie Kiely, explains today. Since New Ross became the first was initially set up with a those early days, it’s been success medical device manufacturer in workforce of 15 people but has after success for the company. Europe to be awarded a global grown to now employ almost The acquisition of Lake Region standard in Enterprise Excellence, 900 staff. Medical by Greatbatch Medical the prestigious Shingo Both in Wexford and abroad, Inc. in late 2015, led to the Accreditation Bronze Medallion. the company is much different creation of Integer Holdings Meanwhile, also in 2012, the today to when it was founded Corp. Integer is now one of the company was honoured by the internationally in 1946 and in largest medical device outsource Irish Medical Device Association Wexford, when it was set up to (MDO) manufacturers in as “Ireland’s MedTech Company service the European market in the world serving the cardiac, of the Year”. So what exactly do 1994. neuromodulation, orthopaedics, they do in that state-of-the-art vascular, advanced surgical and plant on the western side of Co Starting life in post-war America, portable medical markets. Wexford? the business was founded by Joseph Fleischhacker Snr to The New Ross plant is now one “We manufacture medical guide manufacture lures and fishing of 27 manufacturing sites across wires which provide a point of tackle. “About 10 years later, he America, Europe and Asia. The access to a patient’s coronary and was approached by the owners County Wexford plant is a great peripheral vascular system to of Medtronic to develop and source of pride to management allow physicians conduct a range manufacture pacing leads for the and staff alike growing as it has of diagnostic and therapeutic since 1994 to become one of the medical procedures, for example, key employers in the southeast inserting other devices like of Ireland. “Over recent years catheters and stents,” Eddie the plant has gradually grown to says. This may sound simple a workforce of 880 associates,” but such devices save lives and Eddie points out. Integer, the products designed and New Ross, can now be manufactured by this innovative Wexford is very described as “a very diverse company are now a vital tool company, employing for cardiologists and surgeons much a pro-business people of 18 different worldwide. “It has been estimated nationalities,” that an Integer guidewire is used environment with all of whom somewhere in the world every combine their 1.5 seconds,” as the Director of ‘‘ excellent relationships expertise and Operations puts it. experience An impressive track record and with local and national one that hasn’t been developed

authorities, educational and without a constant commitment

to excellence, innovation and

training organisations customer service. At the moment, Eddie Kiely, Director of Operations, Lake Region Medical, the New Ross site ship products an Integer Company. to customers in more than 30

54 OUR WEXFORD ’’ countries around the world and, of the area and Integer would according to the company, find IT HAS BEEN “absolutely” recommend New that the decision to locate in ESTIMATED THAT Ross and Co Wexford to anyone County Wexford was one that A LAKE REGION who wants to establish a new base proved rewarding. They cite MEDICAL GUIDEWIRE for their business. the co-operation of the likes IS USED SOMEWHERE “It borders both Waterford and of the County Council, Local IN THE WORLD EVERY Kilkenny. There is a great pool Enterprise Office, national state of highly-educated people, close agency offices, as well as those 1.5 SECONDS proximity to the national airports agencies who ensure that a and shipping routes, good highly-educated workforce is on infrastructure and affordable hand. With Rosslare Europort nearby housing which gives a great ABOVE: as well as Belview Port in south Eddie Kiely, “Wexford is very much a Kilkenny, along with airports quality of life in one of the most Director of probusiness environment with picturesque parts of Ireland.” Operations, in Waterford and Cork, and Lake Region excellent relationships with Dublin Airport a couple of hours’ Medical, an local and national authorities, drive away, their enthusiasm Integer Company. educational and training is justifiable. The rapidly- organisations,” he says. improving roads network along with high-quality housing in one New Ross is an “ideal location” of the most beautiful parts of the from which to do business. country add to the attractions

DOING BUSINESS 55 Business Profile DANONE

There are things we take for working on producing high-quality While breastfeeding is always granted and we don’t even think infant and toddler milks for export recommended as the best nutritional about their origins. For example, to a number of large markets. start in life, for those who can’t it is we know that breastfeeding gives comforting to know that Danone The factory itself has been on site your baby the best nutritional Nutricia Early Life Nutrition are in Wexford for over 40 years but start in life, providing them with manufacturing a high-quality infant came under the umbrella of multi- tailored nutrition on demand. But milk thanks to the excellence of the national Danone, which operates for those who don’t breastfeed farmland and the farming itself in across five continents, about nine they can be busy preparing a the region. years ago. child’s bottle of milk, ready to Meanwhile, the support of feed it to them on demand when “Our competitive advantage,” the Government through the the need arises at any time of the as Wexford Site Director Liam Department of Enterprise, Jobs day or night. For those in that Carmody puts it, “is our state-of- and Innovation and funding from position, do they ever wonder the-art blending and packaging Enterprise Ireland helps to ensure about where that powdered facility for infant and toddler milk. that Ireland remains a competitive milk, so essential to the child’s “The company’s rapid expansion in location for Danone. The company wellbeing and progress, actually recent years has come about through also enjoys supportive relationships originates? a series of major investments. with the local council and continues Well, the truth is that in several These are a vote of confidence in to be one of the area’s largest countries in Europe and, the future. In November 2014, we employers. ABOVE: increasingly, the Far East, a opened a new packaging line at a Liam Carmody, “There’s a real can-do attitude in significant portion of that milk cost of €26 million and a further Wexford Site Ireland in relation to attracting Director, Danone has come from a cutting edge expansion project is currently jobs and investment,” Liam says. production facility in Wexford. under construction. These are the “Ireland has a positive reputation most recent parts of an investment Danone Nutricia Early Life within the Danone Group as a good of €250 million in our Irish Nutrition is one of many success location. We have a great team here operations.” stories in the region and has been who consistently deliver to a high expanding in recent years from One of the key “ingredients,” standard, strong supports from the a point where the Wexford plant in so many words, for the Government and together we have employed about 110 people in 2012 Wexford facility is the easy continued to invest and grow the to today, when 300 people are availability of quality raw material. operations. This has led to positive

56 OUR WEXFORD career development opportunities and it is very easy to sell the sunny infrastructure, Waterford Port for the team who have had the southeast. The combination of and Rosslare Europort are a short opportunity to grow their roles and a relocation to this area together distance away while the recent responsibility as the operations have with the opportunity to work with and ongoing upgrades to the road grown. Danone can be very appealing and network, including the New Ross gives us a choice of very strong bypass along the southern corridor, “Enterprise Ireland have been candidates. We have found a but also between Wexford and consistently supportive – open and number of people who may have Dublin, have made all journey times engaged, helping to meet our needs. come from Wexford originally but much shorter. They are keen to try to help make who have had experience of working things happen. This approach has Liam sums it up: “I enjoy working in supply chain management or paid off with a series of significant here, I enjoy the area and I enjoy the production abroad. For them the investments.” work that I do with Danone. We’re chance to return to Wexford while in a high-growth environment While some of the milk products also advancing their career is a at the moment, adding jobs and packaged by Danone in Wexford dream come true.” adding facilities and we have huge are sold around Ireland, a significant He points out that, within an hour, support from the local authority proportion of the factory’s output is there are graduates coming out of [Wexford County Council]. destined for the export sector and Waterford IT and IT Carlow while, For any company looking to it currently services 19 different not much further than that, Cork invest in Ireland, you have markets. These include the and Dublin are producing people an opportunity here in United Kingdom, Germany, the with the right skills and an interest Wexford to connect Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy, in Wexford. with and become an Belgium, and - increasingly - further important part of afield destinations such as Vietnam, “When you look at Wexford as the community.” Hong Kong and mainland China. a place to live, you have all the benefits and all the advantages The company constantly focuses on of urban life, without the research and development, ensuring disadvantages of a big city, from that it continues to innovate and the point of view of traffic or high expand. property costs.” Liam puts much of the success down Not to mention the amenities, he to the quality of personnel working says. “You’re in the southeast and When you in Danone, both from the local have access to mountains and rivers area and from elsewhere in Ireland, and beaches. If you’re moving with a look at Wexford many of whom have located to the family there are great schools and Wexford region in pursuit of good a great sense of community, all as a place to live, employment and quality of life. those things that add up to ‘‘ “We have a very good team of quality of life. You can get you have all the people here in Wexford. We a really good calibre of consistently attract high-calibre person who just wants benefits and all people – many of whom are from to drive 20 minutes to Wexford or who are located within work.” the advantages of an hour’s drive of the facility. Meanwhile, urban life, without the “As we add more people we can in terms of go further afield to secure specific disadvantages of a big city, skill sets or expertise. What is often appealing to people who are from the point of view of considering a career opportunity with us is their attitude toward our traffic or high property costs location. If they are moving from a city or a more urban situation they love the location of the facility Liam Carmody, Wexford Site Director, Danone DOING BUSINESS ’’57 Business Profile BNY MELLON

Global investments company 2015 along with Tim. I have Workplace Environment (ROWE) BNY Mellon provides investment received a number of recognition meaning that management management, investment services awards during my career and in allow staff flexibility, and it and wealth management services 2015 I was one of 50 BNY Mellon seems that this, along with many that help institutions and STARs recognised across our other initiatives, are paying off individuals manage and service 52,000 employees. In 2016 Tim as illustrated by the levels of their financial assets throughout and I were recognised as Diversity staff retention and employee the investment lifecycle. BNY and Inclusion Champions for engagement, something that Mellon is responsible for $31.1 all our efforts as site heads - Natasha and Tim are very proud trillion assets under custody testament to what can be achieved of. Tim says, “One of our primary and/or administration and $1.8 on a global stage from Wexford.” focuses as Site Heads is to ensure trillion assets under management, that all lines of business in the operating in 35 countries and site work collaboratively towards over 100 markets worldwide. WEXFORD IS NOT improved employee engagement and wellbeing.” Natasha Hughes and Tim Greig JUST A GREAT PLACE both jointly lead the Wexford TO DO BUSINESS BUT The Wexford site is very closely office which opened in January ALSO A GREAT PLACE connected to the global operation; 2002. Speaking of the growth TO LIVE the teams have a seamless since they first opened Natasha international network powered says, “Our Wexford office by the collaborative and collective originally opened with fewer than Tim joined BNY Mellon in 2006 efforts of BNY Mellon’s 52,000 50 employees and has grown and is currently a Client Services people around the world. to over 350. Today we have a Group Manager having joined Speaking of day-to-day operations, diverse range of departments the Corporate Trust team in Tim says, “A lot of what we encompassing fund accounting, 2013. Tim is Wexford Corporate do involves collaboration and transfer agency, corporate trust, Trust Site Head as well as being engagement on tasks and trustee and depositary, client Wexford Site Co-Head. responsibility of work with our services, financial reporting and Tim left London City in 2006, colleagues across the globe. We technology services.” having worked in a number of are very much part of daily global Natasha is originally from Mayo. financial services positions, to join operations.” She joined BNY Mellon in 2001 BNY Mellon in Wexford. He was Natasha says that seeking out as a graduate fund administrator. seeking a greater quality of life for new team members to be part of “Within the first couple of years his young family, balanced with the BNY Mellon success story is I had the opportunity to travel to continuing his ambitions for a something that the company is London, Hong Kong, New York and career in financial services. consistently focused on. “We’ve Boston, learning from colleagues Tim says, “Having made the worked closely with the local across different markets. I progressed decision to move away from London colleges including the Wexford up to senior manager level in the TA we decided against moving to a campus of IT Carlow and WIT. department and in 2014 whilst on big city like Dublin, so the role at We have taken on student interns maternity leave I applied for another BNY Mellon based in Wexford as part of college placements internal role as Group Manager of was really the perfect solution. I’m and many of these students the Trustee and Depositary business from Cardiff in Wales originally have secured full-time jobs and and was successful. and there are a lot of similarities progressed up to manager levels in “I now manage the Depositary between Ireland and Wales that recent years. Compliance oversight team with made settling in a lot easier. Finding “We also support Springboard staff located in all of our Irish a great rugby club in Enniscorthy upskilling courses and place offices in Cork, Dublin, and was definitely very helpful!” mature students, who have Wexford. I was appointed as BNY Mellon in Wexford is brought a diverse range of Wexford Site Co-Head in June accredited as a Results Only transferable skills to our team.

58 OUR WEXFORD There is a highly educated can also be attributed to the something that is of great benefit workforce on our doorstep in continued focus on community to the company. “We work Wexford. We work hard on our partnerships and Corporate Social closely with Wexford Chamber recruitment strategy with our Responsibility goals. With a strong of Commerce, particularly to see Talent Acquisition team to ensure history of philanthropic support, where we can add value to the we fill our vacancies with the Wexford employees regularly back Wexford business community. right people. We have a diverse community initiatives through We also have regular contact workforce from right across volunteering and fundraising. In with Wexford County Council Ireland and overseas.” 2015, BNY Mellon was named and the Local Enterprise Office. Corporate Philanthropist of We also sponsor the Student In terms of experience, Tim says the Year in recognition of its Enterprise Awards, recognising that over 40pc of the team in longstanding partnership with the importance of this initiative in Wexford has more than nine years’ Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in introducing students to business service and the average length Wexford. BNY Mellon also won principles. We enjoy strong links of service of site management is the Corporate Social Responsibility with the IDA and we have been 12 years. “We find that team- category at the 2016 Wexford used as a reference site by the IDA members value their work-life Business Awards. for companies considering setting balance greatly and at BNY up in Wexford. We are very happy Mellon in Wexford it is easier “Our CSR activity is very important to share our knowledge and for staff to enjoy a challenging to all of the staff. In Wexford, we experience on this front.” career in financial services at a are the CSR partner with Wexford global level while also embracing Chamber of Commerce and work In 2017 BNY Mellon celebrated an excellent quality of life. The to support and educate small 15 years in business at the length of service of our colleagues and medium-size enterprises in Wexford site. To mark the also offers the company a team what socially responsible business occasion employees created a time with a real depth of experience so practices are and how they can get capsule that they now all look ABOVE: Natasha Hughes it’s certainly a win-win situation.” involved,” Tim says. forward to being opened in 2032 and Tim Greig, and seeing how the business, staff, BNY Mellon Natasha says that Wexford is also a Integrating into the local and teams have developed over the wonderful location to raise a family; community and doing business intervening 15 years. Tim says, “Having three daughters I can vouch from Wexford along with “We have no doubt that our links for that in terms of great schools and partnering with other Wexford with Wexford will continue to childcare in Wexford. Wexford is not based businesses and agencies is strengthen over this time and look just a great place to do business but something that BNY Mellon has forward to further integrating also a great place to live.” clearly excelled at. Tim says that the business as a key player in the being active about integrating Tim believes that part of the southeast.” into your local community is company’s success in Wexford

DOING BUSINESS 59 Business Profile WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL

Wexford County Council vibrant artistic community, located in six months’ time, not provides a wide range of essential a unique history and culture, in two or three years, so we need services to the public and it’s also a place where strangers to be able to say to them: ‘there’s business community in County receive a great welcome. One an office unit that’s already built Wexford. Tom Enright, Chief major advantage that Wexford which would suit you’ or ‘here Executive, speaks about the has is proximity to our capital are some industrial units that are close working relationships with city, Dublin. Gorey and north available and are the right size’. the Chambers and enterprise County Wexford is only an hour Getting to that stage of providing agencies such as the IDA and from Dublin and its international ready-made property solutions for Enterprise Ireland in attracting airport, and the proposed new or expanding businesses is investment and employment to completion of the Enniscorthy a major priority for the Council the county. bypass will reduce the journey time and we have advanced plans in from Wexford town to Dublin to place for a major new business The Council’s Local Enterprise around 90 minutes. Then there park at Trinity Wharf in Wexford, Office provides grant aid and other is the bypass being constructed advanced technology buildings supports to micro-enterprise. “We around the town of New Ross, a in New Ross and a new 40 acre are very proud of the fact that €230 million project which will business park in Enniscorthy.” many well known international increase connectivity between Lease rates on commercial property companies have chosen Wexford Wexford and Waterford and are much less than they are in the as their base and that they find Wexford and Cork, along with the greater Dublin area and that helps Wexford an excellent place for rest of the southwest of Ireland.” keep the cost of doing business in their businesses to operate, prosper Wexford at very competitive levels. and grow,” says Tom. “Wexford Not only is the county well is a very attractive location where connected in terms of transport, “Ireland’s skill base has been an people experience an unrivalled Tom says, but Wexford is one of important feature of our success. It quality of life enhanced by two locations nationally in the is key to encouraging international wonderful natural scenery, a rollout of a €20 million investment companies to establish European in high fibre broadband, with and global headquarters, and speeds of up to 75MB available to manufacturing facilities here. The 14,000 premises in urban areas. southeast region of Ireland has a “In Wexford we pride ourselves population of 500,000 and, of the One major on being very supportive of available workforce, over 23pc have business, innovation and third-level qualifications. Wexford advantage that entrepreneurship. One is located close to both Waterford Wexford has is proximity important area where and Carlow IT, and hosts a the County Council dedicated third-level campus in ‘‘ to our capital city... plays a key role is in Wexford town. In 2015, there sourcing property were in excess of 16,000 students the proposed completion for companies. across the third-level institutions Businesses want in the region. In addition, top Irish of the Enniscorthy bypass to know universities such as Trinity College where they Dublin and University College motorway will reduce the are going Dublin are within easy commuting to be distance. A readily available, skilled journey time from Wexford town employee base is a consistent to Dublin to around 90 minutes retainer of businesses for Wexford. All of this combined has ensured Tom Enright, CE, Wexford County Council that the beautiful, historic and 60 OUR WEXFORD ’’ diverse county of Wexford has other part of the country. become one of the most innovative PROVIDING “Wexford Festival Opera is and bustling places in the country. world-famous and the Spiegeltent But it’s not all about work, says READY-MADE Festival, which takes place in Tom, “In Wexford you can enjoy a PROPERTY SOLUTIONS October, also has large numbers good work-life balance and it’s easy IS A MAJOR PRIORITY attending every year. But even to achieve when working and living FOR THE COUNCIL throughout the rest of the county here, thanks to short commuting there are many different cultural distances and times. Good quality activities such as drama groups, housing is very affordable either to is steeped in heritage, particularly musical theatre groups, art groups, rent or purchase. One of our most in terms of the many old historical storytelling houses, festivals and attractive features is the quality of buildings such as towers, castles, much more, all of which are doing our long, sandy beaches as well as country houses – many of them extremely well.” Wexford is the some of our hidden coves which open to the public. Being on such southeast region’s top destination make for great bathing, fishing and a large section of Ireland’s south- for overseas visitors, who generate ABOVE: just relaxing. eastern coastline, Tom notes that it €60 million for the local economy. Tom Enright, is a natural place for fishing, sailing CE, Wexford “Some of the more famous beaches A further €127 million is County Council and other watersports and that include Curracloe (just outside generated from domestic visitors these are availed of by so many, not Wexford town where Saving Private to the county and Wexford is one only in summer, but all through Ryan was filmed), Morriscastle, of Ireland’s top home-holidaying the year. “You may have heard the Rosslare, and St Helen’s and destinations. In summary Wexford phrase the sunny southeast,” Tom while we’re talking about natural has all you could ask for: a great says, “but it’s not a cliche, it’s true. amenities we can’t forget about the place to live, to work, to invest, to I won’t quote statistics but the facts beautiful Hook Peninsula to the relax, to visit and to visit again. are that we enjoy more sunshine southwest of our county.” Wexford in this corner of Ireland than any

DOING BUSINESS 61 HOSPITALITY

62 MonartOUR Destination WEXFORD Spa OUR CRAFT 63 DINING IN WEXFORD

The restaurant scene and café surrounded by shelves of the world’s rustic twist. Cistín Eile wears its culture of Wexford is abundant, finest wines and the ambience is Irishness proudly. It’s not just the offering many ideal spots to pull friendly and relaxed. The food is name, or the motto emblazoned up a chair and enjoy the hustle prepared under the watchful eye of on the wall – Is maith an t-anlann and bustle of the town’s friendly local chef Ritchie Trappe and, with an t-ocras (hunger makes a great atmosphere. From a street side the wonderful agricultural and sauce) – but, more importantly, cuppa to Michelin dining, there’s maritime hinterland of the county, the menu. Irish dishes take pride a variety on offer for all tastes. their supplies are sourced locally. of place and local Irish artisan The award-winning wine list, produce forms the basis of those Located in the heart of Wexford which has been assembled by James dishes. town at Selskar Square, the O’Connor and Donal Morris, is Michelin recommended A stroll to the end of Main Street the most extensive in the country. Greenacres Restaurant is one of is worth the walk for a visit to the most popular in the southeast. Heading south onto Main Street Stable Diet Cafe. True to an ethos The ground floor of the imposing An Cistín Eile is an intimate to provide excellent quality food red brick building is a stylish restaurant offering the finest products based on a philosophy restaurant where the diners are contemporary Irish food with a that nature knows best, Stable Diet

ABOVE: Reeds Restaurant, Ferrycarrig Hotel

RIGHT: Greenacres Restaurant

64 OUR WEXFORD flourishes as one of the town’s most of consecutive years. Executive Chef the in-house sea tank. popular cafés. Enjoy a small stylish Tony Carty says his ethos is to use For those looking for a slightly interior and a mouth-watering ‘local, seasonal, quality ingredients’ different type of dining experience menu. and the proof is in the pudding as visit Wild & Native Restaurant the menu is stacked with suppliers On the Quayside a visit to La Cote and Wine Bar in Rosslare Strand from all across County Wexford. Seafood Restaurant, a multi-award which offers a wide variety of winning fine dining restaurant The entire county is renowned artisan food using locally sourced catering for all tastes, is a must. It for its local produce such as produce. has seasonal menus that have locally strawberries, fish, honeys and jams. Heading north to Gorey, The Duck sourced and foraged ingredients. The Wexford Food and Wine Restaurant a terrace restaurant, The 40-seater restaurant has been Festival, which takes place annually café and bar in the restored applauded for its ability to wow in May has fast established itself courtyard buildings at Marlfield diners in search of an affordable and as a must-attend premier food and House is perfect for alfresco coffees, relaxed culinary experience. It is drink event and, taking place each pastries, cocktails, lunch or dinner. run by Chef/Patron Paul Hynes and June in Enniscorthy town, the The tempting menus feature fresh his partner Edwina who are both annual Enniscorthy Rockin’ Food and exciting ingredients from the passionate about what they do. Festival is a family celebration of kitchen gardens and the locality. local food and the arts. If it’s local Taking a trip out of town to Kelly’s seafood you wish to sample, Kilmore Aldridge Lodge located Café at the Drinagh roundabout Quay and its wonderful Seafood overlooking the wonderful on the edge of town offers punters Festival each summer or a visit to Duncannon village is a foodie attention to detail, friendliness and the Silver Fox in Kilmore is a must! hotspot! This small restaurant and ABOVE: superb quality. Owner Bill Kelly guesthouse is holder of a prestigious Monart Destination is well known for his delivery of Another gem in Kilmore is Mary Spa; A kitchen Michelin Bib Gourmand since quality hospitality. The café occupies Barry’s Seafood Bar & Restaurant garden at 2007 and has won many food Dunbrody a bright space with an eclectic mix where quality is very much in awards. With a daily changing of furniture and diversity of fresh evidence. Mary Barry’s is renowned menu featuring local and vibrant flavours and appetising for its locally caught fresh seafood homegrown produce this restaurant creations on the menu. from Kilmore Quay prepared and is widely regarded among the best cooked by local head chef Nicky Heading a little further out of in the country. For details on the Cullen, offering specials on a daily town to the four-star Ferrycarrig huge variety of restaurants and basis at superb value. In the summer Hotel, its in-house restaurant Reeds cafes in Wexford see: months you can even choose your has been awarded the best hotel www.visitwexford.ie own oysters and lobsters fresh from restaurant in Leinster for a number

HOSPITALITY 65 ACCOMMODATION

Wexford offers a wonderful House, one of the leading Enniscorthy, and has been named variety of accommodation from luxury country house hotels in in the Top 3 Spa Resorts in the pretty cottage rentals, bed and Wexford and excellently located world by Conde Nast Traveller. breakfasts to luxury hotels, a on the dramatic Hook Peninsula. Set in over 100 acres of private five-star destination spa and Dunbrody house is owned and woodlands, providing luxurious everything in between. operated by husband and wife facilities, excellent dining and team Kevin and Catherine a world class spa, Monart is When hotels often announce Dundon. Their hotel reflects their dedicated to offering their guests that they are close to the beach joint passion for excellence in the ultimate in relaxation. All 70 and you arrive and find it’s visible all areas combined with luxury bedrooms are deluxe rooms to from the top right hand corner of accommodation all within the guarantee all guests experience your bedroom window (but only centuries-old walls of this beautiful unforgettable comfort and style. if you stand on your toes)… well Georgian property set amidst 300 at Kelly’s Resort and Spa this is The Talbot Suites at Stonebridge acres of tranquil parkland. not the case! It is quite literally on is the newest accommodation the five miles of Rosslare Strand’s Wexford is also home to Ireland’s offering by The Talbot Collection, exquisite sandy beach. The hotel only destination spa, the five- located in the heart of Wexford offers an abundance of family star Monart Destination Spa is town and just 100 metres from entertainment and if the sun is located at The Still, just outside the main Talbot Hotel, Wexford. shining there’s always that sandy Featuring 73 high-end, luxury ABOVE: beach and sea air a stone’s throw apartments they are ideal for Monart Destination Spa away. In north Wexford The holiday and festival breaks and Amber Springs Hotel, named executive short and long stays RIGHT: consistently as the best family in the town. With panoramic Catherine Dundon friendly hotel in the country, is a views over the River Slaney and OPPOSITE PAGE firm favourite for families of all Wexford Harbour, the stunning Kelly’s Hotel; ages. The four-star family run hotel new apartments are sure not Kevin Dundon in Dunbrody House; is situated just a 10-minute walk to disappoint even the most Talbot Suites; from the town of Gorey and offers discerning of travellers! For Marlfield House a bar, restaurant, leisure centre spa details on the huge variety of and of course a kids club. accommodation in Wexford see www.visitwexford.ie Another firm favourite amongst locals and visitors is Dunbrody

66 OUR WEXFORD HOSPITALITY 67 KELLY’S RESORT HOTEL

Kelly’s Resort Hotel in Rosslare whose great-grandfather William they expanded and began offering is iconic in the tourism industry Joseph established the business. accommodation. in Ireland. According to its “We have 1,800 man years Bill’s grandfather Nicholas and owner Bill Kelly the key lies in of experience across the staff, his father William J. followed on, its history and individuality. there is a continuity of service making their own contributions to Established in the early 1890s, and friendliness that I think is the development of the hotel. His Kelly’s has survived and thrived essential. You can build a palace mother Breda is still involved. through 120 years of changing but it’s only people who will bring Today Kelly’s employs 190 social trends. It is a family-run people back again,” he says. people, has three restaurants, two jewel with a proud history of It all started when William Joseph bars, 118 bedrooms, two indoor excellence; proprietor Bill Kelly and his wife Mary opened a tea swimming pools, a fitness centre, is the fourth generation to carry rooms in a timber structure on steam room, sauna, outdoor on that tradition. The fifth the site, to cater for 19th century Canadian hot tub and indoor and generation of the family Laura visitors arriving on the train to go outdoor tennis courts. Kelly has also recently returned to the beach. Within a few years, to Wexford to take on a role in ABOVE: Bill Kelly and running the hotel. his daughter Laura Kelly Families have been visiting this special seaside place for RIGHT: generations. The hotel is rooted Kelly’s Hotel in history but has its feet firmly planted in the 21st century. It offers real hospitality and personal service with a confidence borne of experience. So, what’s the secret to Kelly’s success? “It’s very much the same ethos while keeping up with changing demands,” says Bill,

68 OUR WEXFORD A WORLD-CLASS SPA – MONART

Having won the accolade of been immersed in Wexford’s property from his parents, being one of the top three hospitality industry for having graduated from Shannon spas in the world and a firm generations since 1925, when College of Hotel Management favourite in Ireland as the Jenny Griffin and her mother and spent a decade working country’s only destination operated Laburnham Guest around the world to broaden spa, the adult-only Monart House in Gorey. In 1936 his knowledge of the hospitality Destination Spa is nestled in Jenny married Garda Michael industry. Having developed the the midst of over 100 acres of Griffin and they relocated to Griffin Hotel Group to include private woodland and rolling Rosslare Strand, remaining in the Ferrycarrig Hotel Wexford landscape in Enniscorthy and the hospitality industry. They and Hotel Kilkenny, it was in is a jewel in the crown of the purchased the Pier Hotel in 2005 that Monart Destination Irish and global hospitality Rosslare, and in 1976 Michael’s Spa opened its doors, providing sector. son Liam Griffin who is now an innovative product with the chairman of the Griffin unbeatable service standards. Monart is owned and run by Hotel Group purchased the the Griffin family, which has All 70 bedrooms are deluxe rooms to guarantee all guests ABOVE: experience unforgettable comfort Liam Griffin and style. LEFT: So what is it that makes Monart this hotel group so unique? Destination Spa According to the Griffin family it is exceptional standards. “We pride ourselves on our staff and the service standards we as a team provide,” says Liam. “We ensure all of our guests enjoy an exceptional world-class spa break which sees them return again and again.”

HOSPITALITY 69 Our main conference room, ‘‘ The McClure Suite is one ‘‘ of the largest in the southeast

Joe O’Brien, General Manager, Clayton Whites Hotel

CONFERENCING IN WEXFORD

Wexford has had an excellent host conferences and events for up reputation for hosting a wide to 1,000 delegates together with range of conferences and smaller conference facilities and events over many years and excellent leisure and spa facilities. is the premier venue in the Speaking of their facilities Joe southeast for many national and says: “Our main conference room, international events. The McClure Suite is one of the The hospitality industry together largest in the southeast and it’s with other stakeholders, such as primary location in Wexford town Wexford County Council and together with its 150MB fibre Wexford Chamber of Commerce, optic broadband and AV facilities has worked very hard to bring a make the venue a very attractive pivotal in attracting events and co-operative approach to attracting proposition.” being the host venue for large events to Wexford. This can be conferences. The hotel works Another advantage to Wexford as a seen through the hotels working very closely, not only with other major venue is the National Opera together so that the necessary hotels but also other facilities such House which, in conjunction with critical mass of facilities such as the National Opera House in Clayton Whites, can provide an as bedrooms are made available facilitating the many events that even wider range of facilities to for large scale conferences. take place during the course of the offer potential clients including Hotels work with the Chamber year in Wexford. conference facilities for up to 850 of Commerce and the County delegates. Council to organise access to The General Manager of Clayton facilities like the quay for events Whites Hotel is Rosslare native, Joe goes on to say, “The last 12 like the National Road Haulage Joe O’Brien, who returned to months have been really good with Conference or the Canonball Run. Wexford last year to take the some excellent bookings which A more recent example would reins at the hotel. Joe says he is included the Canonball Run, the be the provision of “Welcome” “delighted to have been able to Welcome Home Cycle, the INTO signage for key conferences and return to Wexford and to such a National Conference, the Irish ABOVE: Road Haulage Association and Joe O’Brien, events. prestigious hotel” and he relishes the opportunity of building on many more, and advance bookings General Manager, At the forefront of this drive Clayton Whites the hotel’s excellent reputation are looking even stronger. to attract large scale events to Hotel for hosting large scale events. He Wexford is Clayton Whites Hotel. With events such as the Vintners adds that “I have worked in many While the hotel has appeared Federation of Ireland, the hotels across the globe and Clayton in many guises over the years it Canonball Run again, the Sea Whites and Wexford are right up has, nonetheless, been a beacon Anglers Championship and, of there with some of the best.” of hospitality in Wexford for course, the Wexford Festival Opera well over 200 years. With the The hotel boasts 157 bedrooms, this year alone, Wexford and largest conference facilities in which are currently being Clayton Whites has a bright future the southeast, Clayton Whites is refurbished, and a capacity to and much to look forward to.

70 OUR WEXFORD FESTIVALS

A calendar full of festivals, events Holiday Weekend. The Art in the Open Festival and cultural activities is on offer celebrates ‘Plein Air’ painting, with The Maritime Festival celebrates year round, so there is always a host of paint outs, workshops the life of Commodore John Barry, something fun to see and do in with international artists, and a Wexford-man and founder of the Wexford. culminating in a giant art American Navy, and offers a variety exhibition. The International Wexford Festival of maritime activities. Opera takes place in Wexford The Wexford Spiegeltent Festival Enjoy a fun-filled weekend for all town annually during October on Wexford town quayside hosts the family at Jest Fest with a host and November coinciding with the a variety of marvels and wonders, of street theatre and comedy on annual Wexford Fringe Festival – the best in music, comedy, opera, offer across Wexford town or take offering a variety of entertainment theatre, film and kids’ shows in a to the streets of Enniscorthy for the and cultural events. giant Victorian style circus tent – it Rockin’ Food Festival with beats is a festival like no other! In the summer season a series of and eats for all rhythms and tastes. fun-filled festivals take to the streets Wexford Winterland sees a joyous At the world’s oldest working including the Wexford Strawberry celebration of the festive season lighthouse ‘Hook Lighthouse’ and Fair in Enniscorthy and the with ice-skating, festive movies and all along the Hook Peninsula enjoy Wexford Food and Wine Festival a wonderful traditional Christmas a celebration of all things maritime in Wexford town. Wexford’s unique market in Wexford town. Fun-filled from great local seafood to seaside US links are celebrated during Irish festive events also take place in New ABOVE: crafts to heritage and sea life at the America Day in New Ross each July Ross, Enniscorthy and Gorey towns Wexford Food and ‘Hooked on the Sea’ Festival! Wine Festival fourth. Enjoy an open-air fashion with lots of fun on offer for all the Each mid-summer the quaint fishing POLAROIDS LEFT show, live music and Family Fun family. TO RIGHT: Day at the Market House Festival village of Kilmore Quay celebrates Wexford Strawberry For a full list of the annual vibrant in Gorey during the August Bank the Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival Fair; New Ross festival and events calendar see Piano Festival; The with its famous seafood platters, visitwexford.ie Duncannon entertainment and family fun days. Sandsculpting Festival

HOSPITALITY 71 OUR PLACE

72 Photo: Paul Holmes 02

73 JOHNSTOWN CASTLE

If you’re planning a visit to Johnstown Castle this summer you can take a nostalgic journey through Irish farming and social history in the Irish Agricultural Museum, enjoy the stunning views or meander through the woodland garden and around the lakes.

Teagasc Director Prof Gerry specifically brought on board by is thriving, requires no annual Boyle set up a working group Teagasc to assist them with the revenue funding from the state, with a view to re-imagining the capital redevelopment of the castle has received tremendous public offering at Johnstown Castle. and grounds. and private support is buzzing with Partnering Teagasc on this volunteers and visitors. The Trust The Trust will then be appointed working group were Wexford also successfully developed and County Council and Fáilte operated the Dublin Tenement Ireland. Experience and in 2015 took WE SEE THE PROJECT responsibility for Strokestown Park Prof Gerry Boyle says, “We have and the Irish National Famine always been honoured to be AS SOMETHING Museum. custodians of the Johnstown Castle THAT WILL CREATE Estate and while the estate and Kevin Baird, CEO of the Trust, the Irish Agricultural Museum are WIDER ECONOMIC explains that their fundamental open to the public we knew that BENEFITS THROUGH approach on any project is to the future offering with public JOB CREATION AND combine people, place and access to the castle itself could be participation. “We know that vast. We have in the past hosted THE MULTIPLIER Johnstown Castle is a stunning Department of Agriculture events EFFECT – WHERE place. At the Trust we don’t take at Johnstown Castle, partnered on projects and work on them with organisations like Wexford OTHER BUSINESSES in isolation; we endeavour to get Festival Opera to host the full AND SUPPLIERS IN THE people involved. For instance Opera Festival here in 2007 whilst at Fota House we have a very the Opera House was being built AREA BENEFIT FROM impressive community of people and for many years hosted civil TOURISM ACTIVITY dedicated to preserving and wedding ceremonies. We always interpreting this special place for had a bigger vision, it was just about everyone. At Johnstown Castle finding the right partners.” we hope the people of Wexford by Teagasc to operate the re- will come onboard with us to In the meantime, Teagasc issued imagined Johnstown Castle estate help create a unique visitor a public tender looking for a and grounds for seven years. experience.” visionary partner to come on board with them to re-imagine the The Irish Heritage Trust, an Jennifer McCrea of the Irish future of Johnstown Castle and independent charity, was launched Heritage Trust continues, “We Estate. The Irish Heritage Trust in 2006; its ethos is to care for specialise in creating great visitor were announced as the successful special places in a way that also experiences and differentiating the applicants from this tender process delivers real benefit to people attraction: working with Teagasc, and a partnership with Teagasc and the country. The Trust took this is our vision for Johnstown to deliver a bright future for the responsibility for Fota House in Castle. In addition, the aim will be estate was born. The Trust was December 2007; today the property to make the property financially

74 OUR WEXFORD THE HISTORY OF JOHNSTOWN CASTLE

Resting six kilometres south of married Mary Reynolds and in 1692 PLAN A VISIT the centre of Wexford town is the he became the sole proprietor of the The wonderful gardens at Johnstown lush Johnstown Castle Estate and castle having purchased the other Castle and the Irish Agricultural Gardens. Sitting in the epicenter of two-thirds of the estate from his Museum will ensure a spectacular the 1,000-acre estate, the doors of sisters-in-law. family day out. Daniel Robertson the ornate Norman Castle remain The property remained with the laid out the castle’s stunning gardens closed. Grogan family until 1945, apart between 1844 and 1851 and to this The ancient heritage of Johnstown from a brief period during the 1798 day they retain their early design and Castle begins in 1169, the same year rebellion. beauty. A lakeside walk lined with the Normans first arrived to Ireland The last private owner, the late Lady statues offers a perfect vantage point (via Wexford) at the request of Maurice Fitzgerald, a descendent of to take in the panorama of the castle Diarmait Mac Murchada, the ousted the Grogan family, willed the estate with its turrets and battlements. King of Leinster. The castle was to her grandson Captain M.V. Lakin The parklands are home to a first built that year by the Esmonde in 1942. In 1945 he generously variety of trees, including Japanese family. Local legend has it that the gifted the estate to the nation and cedar, golden Lawson cypresses place is named after King John the Department of Agriculture and Atlantic blue cedars as well as who stayed overnight on his way to under the ‘1945 Johnstown Castle a number of towers and waterfalls. Wexford about 40 years after Robert Agricultural College Act’ and A wonderful walled garden and an Fitz-Stephen and the other Anglo- undertook to maintain but not ornamental garden are gems not Normans arrived at Bannow Bay alter ‘the ornamental nature of the to be missed and in the grounds’ some 20 miles away. 120 acres of gardens and pleasure centre you’ll find a traditional Irish The Castle was confiscated from grounds of the estate’ and to this day farmyard and courtyard which is the Esmonde family by Cromwell Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food also home to a café offering lots of and given to Lieut. Col. Overstreet Development Authority have been local produce and, fittingly, the Irish in settlement for arrears of pay. doing just that. Having operated Agricultural Museum. This houses a Overstreet’s widow married Edward their offices from the castle for a vast collection of old farm tools and Withers and with no children of this number of years, Teagasc have taken machinery and is a must visit for any marriage, the estate was bequeathed the job of custodians very seriously, family. to local merchant John Reynolds, his maintaining the gardens and grounds www.irishagrimuseum.ie wife and three daughters, Mary, Jane to a high level and ensuring the and Susan. John Grogan of Wexford careful preservation and restoration of the estate infrastructure itself.

Turn here to read more... JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 75 sustainable and we will achieve Teagasc are excited by the prospects Minister for Public Expenditure this through admission charges of what a partnership with the Irish and Reform Brendan Howlin and annual membership options Heritage Trust can bring to the TD announced €7.5 million where visitors will enjoy a much table for the estate, as Chairman for the proposed development wider range of events and activities of the Project Steering Committee, of Johnstown Castle. Funding on site. We also see the project Paddy Browne of Teagasc, tells us: of €5 million is available for the as something that will create “We are going to be offering a lot project through the Department of wider economic benefits through more than what is currently on Agriculture, Food and the Marine job creation and the multiplier offer at the Johnstown Castle Estate and €2.5 million in Failte Ireland effect – where other businesses and this will be delivered in project funding. and suppliers in the area benefit phases. Speaking at the launch of the from tourism activity. We are also project, Minister Howlin said, “This delighted to play our part in Fáilte is a major boost not just for Wexford Ireland’s Ireland’s Ancient East. WE KNOW THAT THE and the southeast of the country We will be telling the fascinating PEOPLE OF WEXFORD but it will significantly contribute stories about the people who to Ireland’s tourism offering, lived and worked here.” In fact HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE particularly to Ireland’s ‘Ancient MAIN IMAGE: if you have any memories or Johnstown Castle IN THEIR HEARTS FOR East’. connections to Johnstown Castle the Trust would love to hear from JOHNSTOWN CASTLE “This development aims to make you; you can email Jennifer at Johnstown Castle the most visited [email protected] attraction in the southeast of “Initially we will be placing capital Ireland and to greatly increase the The Irish Heritage Trust is an budget in areas of the estate where amount of pleasure which people, organisation which punches well restoration and preservation is from Ireland and abroad, obtain above its weight in terms of delivery; critical. We will then move on to from the buildings and grounds it has in its short lifetime trebled in building an experience for everyone of Johnstown Castle. For the first size, yet has honed its dependency to enjoy and each year we will time, the castle itself will be opened on the exchequer to 32%. be adding to and improving this to the public to visit.” experience.”

76 OUR WEXFORD According to Teagasc, the project “We will be filing for planning current funding model, but it is an will be developed in two phases. permission for all of the works ambitious plan which will safeguard New pathways will be laid as well with Wexford County Council the future of Johnstown Castle for as new car-parking and entrance and we hope to be open to the many years to come. We know that arrangements, a new restaurant public to some degree shortly the people of Wexford have a special ABOVE & BELOW: and visitor centre experience, a afterwards. Teagasc and the Trust place in their hearts for Johnstown Servants gathered on the front lawn at new natural amphitheatre in the are keen to very much involve Castle and access to the castle Johsntown Castle gardens, the restoration of the lower the local community and invite grounds will remain as they are. on the occasion lake and garden areas along with members of the public to share We, along with the Irish Heritage of the marriage of Kathleen Fitzgerald extensive remedial conservation their knowledge and memories of Trust look forward to welcoming to Michael Lakin in works to the castle from the the castle’s heritage with them via locals and visitors alike during 1914. If you have basement to the three storeys above [email protected] the working project phases and any connections to or memories of it. New interpretation for the site is thereafter,” adds Prof. Boyle. “This is an enormous project and Johnstown Castle also planned. we would love to we know that not every element hear from you at In terms of the planned timeline, of this can be delivered under the johnstowncastle@ irishheritagetrust.ie Paddy continues:

JOHNSTOWN CASTLE 77 WELL-CONNECTED WEXFORD

The phrase “well-connected” is For Wexford, Connolly Station in Even on Sundays there are three a good way to describe Wexford, Dublin is the place to head after regular services between Dublin in more ways than one. arriving at the capital, and at the and Wexford town, each way, moment there are five services ensuring the utmost flexibility. Just one of the many things every week day heading along the the area has going for it, is its Most of the trains that travel from east coast to the county town. connectivity to key locations in Dublin to Wexford also continue Ireland through rail links, which Currently the trains leave Connolly on as far as the station at Rosslare converge on both Wexford town Station for O’Hanrahan Station in Strand, and vice versa, so it’s and nearby Rosslare. Wexford in the morning (9.40am easy to get from Wexford to the at time of going to press), early port service or to arrive via the For those without access to cars, afternoon, late afternoon, with two Europort in Rosslare and head or who just want the comfort of early evening services. north. travelling at high speed while being able to catch up on work or Meanwhile, the timetable heading But it’s not just Dublin that’s rest, the train services to and from in the opposite direction is reachable on this rail line as, in this corner of the country are most designed for those who want to between, the stop-offs include welcome. be in Dublin in time for morning many attractive destinations meetings as well as those with later such as Arklow, Wicklow town, And don’t forget the convenient schedules. The first service leaves Greystones and Bray. and frequent connections between Wexford town just before 6am, Dublin airport and the two main Business or pleasure, the railway is with further trains at 7.43am, railway stations in Dublin which hard to beat. 1.20pm and 6.20pm, subject to serve the rest of the country. seasonal change.

A digitally connected Wexford Digital connectivity is key to operating a successful business. Wexford is serviced by the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), which provides ADSL to broadband infrastructure to businesses, educational facilities and industry. Wexford was one of two locations nationally in the rollout of a €20 million investment in high fibre broadband, with speeds of up to 75MB available to 14,000 premises in urban areas delivering services for improved connectivity, efficiency and reliability for business. Some 60,000 out of 80,000 premises will be connected by commercial operators by mid-2018 and the remaining 20,000 premises will be connected by the national broadband rollout.

78 OUR WEXFORD ROADS

Those comuters on the N25 Bridge, where the eight bridge environmental mitigation works to New Ross road will have noticed piers have recently emerged from protect and retain the wildlife in significant changes along the the ground on both sides of the the area. route of the €230 million New river and risen to heights of up A number of interesting Ross bypass in recent months as to 36 metres (roughly equivalent archaeological sites have been construction progresses apace to a 12 storey building). These discovered during the project. in advance of its opening in piers will support the bridge deck These include the remains of a early 2019. Upon completion, and pylon towers which will wooden house erected by some the 15km long scheme will be constructed in the coming of the first Stone Age farmers improve safety for all road months. almost 6,000 years ago. An users, significantly ease traffic This landmark structure will be example of a Bronze Age sweat congestion in New Ross town the longest bridge in Ireland at lodge or sauna, probably dating and enhance the economic nearly 900m. The bridge will from between 2,500 and 4,000 potential of the New Ross area have nine spans including two years ago was discovered during and the wider region. main central spans of 230m and construction. The remains of a Commuters in particular three central towers supporting previously undocumented 14th will notice temporary traffic these spans. The central spans century farm are also of particular management operations on the are among the longest of their interest. Monitoring by a main road links into New Ross: particular type in the world, and specialist archaeology team will be on the N25 Waterford Road at the design and construction of maintained throughout the works. Glenmore, the R733 Campile the bridge has proved to be an In excess of 600,000 working Road at Camlin, the N25 exciting challenge for all of the hours have been devoted to the Wexford Road at Ballymacar and engineers involved. The central construction of the project to the N30 Enniscorthy/Dublin span over the river channel will date, with a workforce in excess of Road at Corcoran’s Cross. These accommodate shipping navigation 300 people at peak times. Local are to facilitate the construction of for the port of New Ross with a contractors, suppliers and small road junctions, thus ensuring that clearance of 36m above water level businesses are benefitting both the bypass will have high-quality in the river. directly and indirectly from the connectivity with New Ross town A few figures provide some economic activity generated by and environs as well as with all of context of the scope of works construction and further benefits the key strategic commuter routes undertaken in the first 20 months will accrue during the subsequent in the region. of the contract. Over 1,000,000 operation and maintenance of the Local residents will also have cubic metres of earthworks have road. noticed localised temporary been excavated and re-used to Another large-scale project is diversions along a number of date, including approx. 700,000 the extension of the M11 from local roads in the area. These are cubic metres of rock. The total the southern end of Gorey to to facilitate the construction of length of piling constructed for Enniscorthy. The new dual road bridges over or under the the foundations of the Barrow carrigway motorway section is bypass, thus ensuring that local Bridge reaches to nearly three 27km and is also on track for communities are not severed by kilometres, and over 10,000 cubic completion in quater one 2018. the new route. metres of concrete has been placed to date in the foundations and For further info see: Perhaps the most striking piers. Other works include 10 www.m11gtoe.ie and transformation has been seen road bridges, a railway bridge, 16 www.n25newross.ie. at the site of the River Barrow farm underpasses and extensive

OUR PLACE 79 AIRPORT ACCESS

Wexford is ideally positioned The airport has an extensive midway between two of short and medium haul network, Ireland’s airports. Dublin served by an array of carriers as Airport is a one hour and well as some intercontinental 30 minute drive with full routes focused on the Middle motorway access, and Waterford East and North America. It serves Airport is just over one hour’s as the headquarters of Ireland’s drive from Wexford town. flag carrier Aer Lingus, Ireland’s regional airline Stobart Air and WATERFORD AIRPORT also Europe’s largest low-cost Waterford Airport services carrier Ryanair, along with ASL, corporate jets, and charter aircraft, together with a fifth airline, leisure flying and flight training, CityJet, which doesn’t maintain and is home to the Coast Guard’s major operations here. Search And Rescue Helicopter United States border pre-clearance (Rescue 117) Base. services are available at the airport For further details on access see DUBLIN AIRPORT for US-bound passengers, making waterfordairport.ie Dublin Airport is an international Dublin one of only two European dublinairport.com airport serving Dublin and is airports with this facility (the rosslareeuroport.irishrail.ie operated by DAA. other is in Shannon).

ABOVE & ABOVE RIGHT: Dublin Airport

80 OUR WEXFORD ROSSLARE EUROPORT

One of Ireland’s key strategic But they are also impressed with Connectivity for foot passengers transport hubs, Rosslare the level of service and the easy, is provided by Íarnród Éireann Europort is located on the fast and efficient way they can get (Irish Rail), who operate the southeastern tip of the country through the Europort and then Europort, with frequent train in County Wexford, and has continue on their journey to all journeys to and from Dublin, been a major access point for points across Ireland. where further services can be traffic for many years. accessed to other parts of the As the closest point on the country. Just a 10 minute drive from southern coast of Ireland to both Wexford town, Rosslare is already the UK and mainland Europe, Meanwhile, Bus Éireann operate a readily-accessible town and Rosslare is the main hub for all several bus routes out of Rosslare. key roll-on-roll-off ferries which the many cars, trucks, vans, The port terminal itself has all operate the routes across the Irish motorbikes and camper-vans of the facilities to be expected of Sea and to the continent, both for rarely have much trouble getting such an infrastructure hub such passenger and freight use. into and out of the port, but that’s as immigration, car-hire, parking going to improve even further The Stena Line company operate and café, while all of the freight with the development of a new services between Rosslare and services necessary for trucks and access road in the near future. both Fishguard in the south of their drivers are also on hand. The soft sandy beaches nearby Wales and Cherbourg in northern The port also has ample low-cost are often the first things that new France, while Irish Ferries carry parking spaces, and also services visitors to Ireland, whether on passengers to Pembroke in Wales Rosslare Europort also services business or pleasure, see of the and Roscoff and Cherbourg in visiting leisure cruise vessels. country and that’s a good first France. impression for them to have.

ABOVE & LEFT: Rosslare Europort

OUR PLACE 81 PROPERTY SOLUTIONS

Although Wexford County Future Analytics to carry out an The central belief underlying this Council has been successful in analysis of the prime office and strategy is that the Council should attracting enquiries and IDA industrial property available for intervene and take a leading role in client interest in the county, there inward investment in the four main ‘priming’ the development of the is still lots to be achieved. Tony towns of the county. In summary, commercial property market with Larkin, Director of Services for the report highlighted a shortfall in key initiatives of significant scale Economic Development and high quality office and industrial across the county. This will form Planning with Wexford County space in all four urban centres and the centrepiece of our economic Council, discusses the challenges recommended various options in strategy for the next five years and around property solutions and each of the towns to alleviate the in particular be focussed around the the ambitious plans the County shortfall. four urban centres.” Council has for the next five years. The Council was quick to see Traditionally, property solutions this as an opportunity, says Tony, ENNISCORTHY centred on the development of sites “Wexford can see a valuable Tony is very familiar with the town for new-build manufacturing plants return if the County markets of Enniscorthy, having been Town and offices. In more recent times itself to mobile companies seeking Manager for many years and living there is very little appetite for this investment locations on the east within the district. The Lisney report type of option. Tony indicates that coast of Ireland, who either cannot highlighted that the construction of things have changed when dealing find suitable properties or find the M11 Enniscorthy bypass and the with inward investment: “Timelines existing Dublin city rent and wage development of the Flood Prevention have truncated and typically an levels unsuitable for their needs.” Scheme with a new bridge opens up ABOVE inward investor now wants to be This opportunity, he continues, the potential to the southern area of Innovation House, operational on-site within a year. will not last long. “It is essential the town to create a modern business Gorey Coupled with the strong market that we have a selection of high park. “Based on this, Wexford preference towards leasing property quality offerings available that County Council has purchased a rather than owning, Wexford needs meet modern industry standards 40 acre site on the N11 from the to be proactive if it is to meet this at affordable rent levels. From our Health Service Executive. Planning need.” research, and from our knowledge on the new Park has commenced of the property and construction and negotiations are underway with In order to plan for the future, sector in Wexford, Wexford County private sector interests on several the County Council has done Council is of the opinion that a sites, including a potential NZEB its research in the property area. fully private sector solution will Training facility.” During 2015, Wexford County not generate sufficient supply in Council commissioned Lisney and Wexford in the short-medium term.

82 OUR WEXFORD NEW ROSS Wexford County Council currently owns a landbank of 7.26 hectares at the IDA business park in Butlersland on the N25. With the bypass of the town imminent, the potential for New Ross is growing in the areas of tourism, logistics and manufacturing. Planning permission is currently in place for two advanced technology buildings of 24,000 sq ft and 10,000 sq ft. Wexford County Council is now working on developing the larger of the two units in partnership with the private sector, with a view to having the first building available for IDA client companies in early 2019. Tony also indicates other opportunities for the town: “Wexford County Council also believes that there is potential to develop a start-up space in one of the old, historic buildings in the centre of town.”

GOREY Although Wexford has a number of successful indigenous and development can be arranged development of regional scale and international ICT companies there directly through Lisney commercial the land is already zoned town is room for further development, property section in Dublin, or visit centre use”. Detailed planning for explains Tony. “Our strategy in www.m11businesscampus.com. core infrastructure and services is regard to Gorey is to target it as a under way, with the site clearance location with significant potential WEXFORD and enabling works due to start in in the ICT sector - a potential that the first half of 2018. It is intended Development of large-scale office arises from a number of factors, but that the €35 million Trinity Wharf space in the main town of Wexford primarily the newly opened M11 development will accommodate has been dispersed over the past section of the motorway, making several large multi-storey office two decades. “Commercial office the M50 now just 50 minutes from blocks, a boutique hotel, residential development built in the past 10-15 north Wexford.” apartments, a marina and amenity years had been sited adjacent to areas for tourists and the citizens of In order to take advantage industrial or retail development, and the town. of Gorey’s position, Wexford it’s time for new thinking”, Tony County Council partnered explains. “There is now a strong The projects the Council has in with local developers Redmond need to designate and develop a mind are ambitious and at varying Construction to deliver a new business park of significant quality levels of preparation. “Although ABOVE: M11 Business Campus. The and scale in Wexford town, where there will be significant cost, risk Artists’ impressions first of three 36,000 sq ft office companies can cluster together and implications for Wexford of Trinity Wharf developments was constructed and where necessary infrastructure County Council,” concludes Tony, Wexford Town and Advanced in just 10 months and from costs can be shared. To address this “we are making an investment now Technology Unit, August 2017 has become home need, Wexford County Council has for our future and the future of our New Ross to the HQ for Innovate Business purchased a 10 acre site at Trinity children: to position Wexford as a Technologies Ltd along with The Wharf, Wexford exactly for this leading economic centre for future Hatch Lab - a start-up and co- purpose. generations.” working space powered by Bank “Trinity Wharf,” says Tony, of Ireland in association with “previously intended for a large Wexford County Council. residential and retail development, Viewings of the grade A office is ideal for a commercial office

OUR PLACE 83 THE HATCH LAB

The Hatch Lab is a new shared office and tech incubator space located in the M11 Business Campus in Gorey, County Wexford.

Underpinned by an exciting new Designed to support technology Commenting on ‘The Hatch five-year partnership between companies moving to the region, Lab’ opening and its concept, Bank of Ireland and Wexford encourage start-ups and deliver a Carolyne Godkin, Economic County Council, The Hatch Lab quality co-working environment, Development Officer at Wexford will deliver a unique enterprise ‘The Hatch Lab’ offers a low-cost County Council, said, “Within the start-up facility for the southeast base for businesses, providing last number of years we have had region. them with a modern, micro- some incredible business start-ups, business environment packed with particularly in the technology collaboration opportunities. sector, grow from very small initial operations in Wexford to major companies employing hundreds of people, for example DoneDeal, SCURRI and Innovate Technology.

ABOVE Innovation House, Gorey

84 OUR WEXFORD WE HAVE HAD SOME INCREDIBLE BUSINESS START-UPS, PARTICULARLY IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR, GROW FROM VERY SMALL INITIAL OPERATIONS IN WEXFORD TO MAJOR COMPANIES EMPLOYING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE

“We are conscious of nurturing this entrepreneurial spirit and capitalising on the fact that these companies cite location as one of the factors contributing to their successes. “The Hatch Lab concept is in keeping with this thinking and will be the incubation centre for start-ups, which may in the future have fantastic potential to create opportunities for tangible, sustainable employment.” JJ Keyes, Head of Wexford, Bank of Ireland said, “Bank of Ireland has always played an active role in supporting businesses across Leinster, and our partnership with Wexford County Council through The Hatch Lab will of Ireland, the space has a dedicated built business campus will comprise further strengthen that support. Community Manager and three detached office blocks of As Ireland’s largest lender, Bank of Welcome Ambassador and provides 3,250sq m with accommodation Ireland strongly supports businesses events such as Start-Up Weekends spread over four floors. This can be to grow and develop, and initiatives and Founder Fridays, together subdivided into spaces of between like The Hatch Lab along with our with a suite of expert business 500 and 2,000sq m with integrated Workbenches in Dublin, Cork, mentoring provided by both Bank efibre and next generation network OPPOSITE: Coffee space at Galway and Limerick and startlabs of Ireland’s dedicated Innovation capabilities. The Hatch Lab in Galway and New York, add Team along with Local Enterprise Located about 30 minutes’ drive to our supports for the business Office Wexford. The space is ABOVE: from the M50 and 70 minutes The boardroom and community.” alredy proving a hit with the first from Dublin Airport, Gorey also open meeting space batch of start-up companies on-site at The Hatch Lab The Hatch Lab offers a mix of has a commuter rail link to the which includes Schedulie, Abodoo, hot desks, meeting rooms and capital, while the the 39km Gorey BoomMedia and DressUpMarket. networking spaces within a 5,500 to Enniscorthy motorway extension sq ft open plan space in an ultra The Hatch Lab is located within is due to open in 2019. modern setting, providing a the larger M11 Business Campus, Visit www.thehatchlab.ie for dynamic environment for any early which is just off the M11 in Gorey, further details. stage enterprise. Powered by Bank County Wexford. The purpose

OUR PLACE 85 HIGHER EDUCATION IN WEXFORD

An often-repeated mantra where about 900 students take enterprises as well as entrepreneurs used by business people and courses in the likes of business, and innovators, the project helps employers in Wexford and sustainable architectural to transform ideals and creativity the southeast is the quality technology, economics, visual into “a competitive tool for and quantity of third-level communications and design, innovative new products and and fourth-level graduates social studies, art, and early services,” according to the college. emerging from the many childhood studies. Participants are also given an reputable institutions within the Those coming out of second- individual mentor for the duration catchment area. level education can undertake of the programme, which launches Wexford town finds itself at full-time and part-time courses early each year, to guide them the apex of a triangle of highly- from certificate level right up through the process, as well as regarded higher education to honours degree level and access to business incubation colleges, boasting its own campus the college’s Lifelong Learning centres in Wexford, Carlow, on a beautiful site overlooking the programme is aimed at adults Kilkenny and Wicklow. urban area and the sea. who want to upgrade their skills Part-financed by the European and training or embark on a new Just over an hour away is the main Regional Development Fund, educational path. campus of Institute of Technology through the Ireland Wales Carlow (IT Carlow) and its dozens About 40 miles away in Carlow Programme, it’s jointly delivered of courses across a multitude of town is the main IT Carlow by IT Carlow and Pembrokeshire disciplines. A half-hour’s drive campus which is regarded as County Council. ABOVE: along the southeastern corridor one of the most innovative and The main business of the Wexford will take you to Waterford forward-thinking of its kind in the campus, institute, of course, is third-level Institute of Technology which has country. IT Carlow education, and programmes of expanded beyond all recognition Just one example of the vision study are offered across the School in recent years to become one shown by its management and of Business and Humanities, of the go-to third-level colleges academics is an initiative known School of Science and School of for school-leavers not just across as the INSPIRE (Initiating Engineering. the region but across the entire Pathways for Innovators, country. In the school of business, just a Researchers and Entrepreneurs) flavour of the courses available Wexford’s own third-level programme. includes international business; institution is a campus of IT Aimed at small and medium management; supply chain Carlow, off Summerhill Road,

86 OUR WEXFORD management; human resource international business to education and further research management; business with law; languages, law to social studies, have developed a reputation and accounting – from higher management to architecture, for excellence and include the certificate to honours degree built environment to technology, telecommunications software and level. computing to sport, psychology systems group; pharmaceutical to hospitality, marketing to and molecular bio-technology; Other schools at IT Carlow have culinary arts, and a wide range of eco-innovation and applied courses as diverse as law, industrial professional development subjects material research. design, social studies, digital in the school of lifelong learning. marketing, sports and exercise, Looking towards the future media and public relations, and Meanwhile, the college’s of further education in the marketing. research centres for fourth-level area, plans are well advanced to develop a Technological Waterford IT on the edge of University of the southeast, Waterford city, just across the following campaigns to this end Wexford county boundary, has by colleges in the region over grown from small origins in the recent years. 1970s to become one of the largest third-level institutions in the Once given the green light, country. Its main campus is on this venture will only serve to Waterford’s Cork Road, one of the increase the calibre of third and main arteries from the city centre, fourth-level education on offer but it also has others dotted in this corner of Ireland as well around the area. as boosting the local research capabilities. Schools at WIT include business, health sciences, humanities, In the meantime, the main ABOVE & LEFT: engineering, science and universities of Dublin – UCD, Students at IT computing, as well as lifelong TCD and DCU – have enviable Carlow, Wexford learning. reputations on the international stage and many of their graduates Over 6,000 students call the end up in Wexford and the college their educational “home” surrounding areas availing of that and graduates are highly-prized much talked-about “work-life among employers and businesses balance”. both in Ireland and abroad. Courses cover the whole range from accounting to economics,

EDUCATION 87 COLUM MURPHY HOUSING KEHOE & ASSOCIATES

The County Wexford property reputation for integrity and service while rental market is very active at present. during the intervening years, so properties are The economy has bounced back, Managing Director Colum Murphy also providing the corner has been turned is well-placed to give an overview value at an and much confidence has been of the property scene as we head average of restored to the housing sector. towards the latter part of this €650 per month. The area has long been known as decade. Two-bedroom apartments can be one of the most attractive places He points to a fact which may purchased in Wexford for €75,000; in the country in which to live not be well-known, in that of all a townhouse will set you back about and work, with the favourable the counties in Leinster, Wexford €100,000; three-bedroom semis are climate, fabulous seascapes and is second only to Dublin when it selling for €145,000; and the much landscapes, bustling towns and comes to the amount of residential sought-after, larger detached homes excellent amenities, and that properties available to buyers. are becoming readily available hasn’t changed. in the late €200,000s and early But the prices in Wexford and Meanwhile, there’s a good mix of €300,000s, according to Colum. Dublin are much different, residential property available in reflecting the huge demand on “Those executive-style houses are Wexford town and elsewhere in the property in the capital and other becoming very important from an county, at eye-catching prices to suit counties where supply isn’t so good. employment-creation point of view,” most budgets. he says, pointing to the need for The average asking price for a Kehoe & Associates have been in available properties for company residential property in Wexford, business in the county town since executives and employees when across all areas of the market, the early 1980s and have built up a establishing a presence in an area. is currently about €175,000,

88 OUR WEXFORD local authority offices, public € Dublin would be 1.5 million to swimming pool, fire station, a € “I’m not concerned about supply,” 2 million. new courthouse and new Garda Colum says. “The number of There are many elements making station headquarters. In addition planning permissions granted has Wexford a great place to live. One there is an attractive mix of large increased significantly; nationally is its easy accessibility, with its and small shops as well as the new this figure is up 41pc on the same proximity to Rosslare Europort National Opera House and a range quarter last year. There are sectors of and Cork and Waterford Airports, of heritage sites in and close to the the market that are under pressure rail and bus services to and from town. from a supply point of view, like Dublin, and also the roads which Main Street, north and south, has the three-bedroom starter homes, are getting better all the time both retained its centuries-old character where there’s a lack of supply of new within the county but also to the and the town managed to resist the build.” But that reflects the general capital. temptation pursued by so many lack of activity in the building “We’re an hour and a half’s other places nationwide of allowing sector in recent years across Ireland, drive from Dublin and more mass shopping-centre development something that’s set to change in the improvements are on the way with on the outskirts. Instead, the retail near future. “Developers and house both the New Ross and Enniscorthy heart of Wexford remains in its builders are now back in the market. bypasses almost complete. We’re centre. Kehoe & Assoc. are planning the adjacent to the coastline with launches of new housing for 2018 to “Wexford town is a perfect sized miles of sandy beaches but it’s not meet this demand in the market.” town, with a population in the town all about the scenery! Location is and its environs of about 25,000,” The number of residential always one of the key components Colum adds. “Take a short drive or properties sold in County Wexford to determine property values and hop on your bike and you can be in the first half of 2017 was 760, that is our unique selling point.” out in Curracloe or Rosslare strand up from 681 for the same period Meanwhile, Wexford town boasts and the fishing village of Kilmore the previous year, so activity in the superb amenities and facilities, with Quay. It represents the best of both market is on the increase. There is a its five highly-regarded secondary worlds - not city living but not fantastic choice of homes available schools, choice of primary schools, rural living either. All in all, it’s a to a potential buyer. For €350,000 third level at IT Carlow Wexford superb place to live, work and raise to €400,000 there are exceptional Campus, new facilities such as children.” detached homes, the equivalent in

HOUSING 89 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST Explore the cornerstone of Ireland’s Ancient East

An age-old gateway into lighthouses in the world. Take a Hear the tales of the passengers Ireland, County Wexford is tour of the Medieval lighthouse aboard the replica Dunbrody steeped in history dating back tower, built in the 13th Century Famine Ship berthed at the quays to the Stone Age, over 6,000 by William Marshal, the Earl of of New Ross town. The characters years ago. Journey through time Pembroke, on the tip of the Hook of the ship bring the story of the and meet our ancestors - Celts, Peninsula at Hook Lighthouse. Irish Famine and emigration Christians, Vikings, Normans, to the ‘New World’ (America) Close by, also on the Hook French, Welsh and English - to life in a gripping tale taken Peninsula, experience an who have left us a remarkable from the annals of the ship and interactive tour of Loftus Hall, the heritage, unrivalled anywhere reflecting on the experiences of most haunted house in Ireland! else in Ireland. Exploring the real passengers. The 1870s abandoned mansion cornerstone of Ireland’s Ancient with a dark and troubled history is A peaceful visit to the JFK East and journeying through a must visit. Take the guided tour Memorial Park is certainly a the ages of Wexford’s history, of the ground floor and hear the must; enjoy wandering the 623 heritage and culture is an ABOVE: history and legend of Loftus Hall. acres dedicated to the memory opportunity not to be missed. Tintern Abbey of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The Closer to the town of New Ross Visit castles, churches and abbeys, Arboretum contains over 4,500 visit the Kennedy Homestead, battlefields, historic towns and types of trees and shrubs. birthplace of President John F. villages, great houses and gardens, Kennedy’s great grandfather, Take a step back in time at the windmills and forts. Explore the which celebrates the story of this Irish National Heritage Park. world’s oldest lighthouse, Ireland’s famous Irish American family. Surprises await around every biggest open-air museum, and its The visitor experience is set in the turn from campsite to ringfort, most famous Famine ship! original farmyard incorporating from mill to Fulacht Fiadh, from The pillars of Ireland’s Ancient a unique guided tour, audio- crannog to Viking house and East include stories of 800 years of visual display and photographic more. Take an incredible journey light keeping at one of the oldest exhibition. through 9,000 years of Ireland’s

90 OUR WEXFORD past! Build a house of wattle, pan for gold or even shoot a Viking bow or just relax with a coffee beside the lake. With entertaining guided tours available, the world you enter is an authentic recreation of Ireland’s heritage. Wexford is filled with many a magnificent Abbey and Dunbrody Abbey founded on the instructions of Strongbow, the 2nd Earl of Pembroke, is a must see. Dunbrody Abbey was built in the late 12th century; the largest of its kind, it is one of the finest examples of a Cistercian abbey still standing in Ireland today. It flourished as a Cistercian monastery until the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. The visitor centre hosts a hedge maze, a craft gallery with the Dunbrody caste dolls house, tearooms and a pitch & putt course.

Strongbow’s son-in-law, William development of the castle and enchanted woodland walks, craft Marshal, dubbed “the greatest town from its earliest 12th century courtyard, animal farm or enjoy knight that ever lived,” founded Anglo-Norman origins, through an adventure in the playground. the nearby Tintern Abbey. It is the 16th century. The National Open daily with a great calendar a magnificent example of a 13th 1798 Visitor Centre in the shadow of events to choose from century abbey and was one of of the historic battlefield on throughout the year! Enjoy lunch the most powerful Cistercian Vinegar Hill tells the heroic tale or desserts from their on site foundations in the southeast of of the 1798 Rebellion and its restaurant as part of your visit. Ireland. It is also home to the aftermath using the latest multi- wonderful Colclough walled media and interactive exhibits. THE NORMAN WAY gardens and a variety of walking In 1166, Diarmait Mac Murchada trails. Leaving Enniscorthy and heading north to the historic village of was ousted as King of Leinster, The harmony between great Ferns ensures a step back in fled Ireland and sought help from Victorian revival castles and their time to a period which saw the Henry II. Henry gave Diarmait surrounding ornamental grounds foundations of Leinster created permission to recruit mercenaries is rarely seen to such perfection at that very site. Ferns Castle and authorised his subjects to as at Johnstown Castle. The and Tapestry, a 13th century help Diarmait. In May 1169 the full gothic glory from the 19th castle, features a uniquely intact Normans first arrived to Ireland at ABOVE: century has to be seen. The 20 fine circular chapel with original Bannow Bay in Wexford. They set Kennedy hectares of stunning surrounding cornices and features. A guided about conquering Leinster and the Homestead gardens originally laid out by the tour will reveal amongst others territories Diarmait had claimed famous Daniel Robertson in the the story of the resident King of sovereignty over. 1830s offers visitors an insight Leinster Dermot McMurrough This intriguing tale of the journey into perfect landscaping. The who brought the first Normans to from invaders to becoming ‘more Irish Agricultural Museum is a Ireland. Irish than the Irish themselves’, premier cultural site also located at can be rediscovered along the Johnstown Castle. A visit to the Victorian era at Wells House & Gardens is a gems on the Norman Way of A visit to the Heritage Town wonderfully elegant experience. Wexford - it will win you over of Enniscorthy, which features This great Victorian house and as we did the Normans all those a number of prominent sites in gardens offers something for all years ago. Ireland’s history, is a must on generations of visitors with a living Ireland’s Ancient East to do list! Victorian house tour, garden Enniscorthy Castle explores the tours, falconry, archery, two

TOURISM 91 OUR PASSION 03

92 OUR WEXFORD CULTURE AND ARTS

A bustling arts and cultural Wexford Festival Opera and the runs throughout the year, along scene is something that many National Opera House provide with a plethora of musical and towns and cities in Ireland pride major headlines and draw huge entertainment societies, galleries themselves on but in Wexford crowds on an annual basis. and venues across the county. the word “vibrant” only starts Elsewhere there is a huge level Also, not to be missed is a to describe the area’s cultural of activity among the local arts tribute to Brooklyn, the Oscar- life and contribution to the community, which is not as high- nominated movie, written by world of arts. profile but nonetheless makes for Wexford’s very own Colm an attractive side to local life. Recently named the best festival Tóibín. Filmed in Enniscorthy, a in the world, the The programme of events at permanent Brooklyn exhibition is Wexford Arts Centre now open at Enniscorthy Castle. ABOVE: Brooklyn premiere night

POLAROIDS LEFT TO RIGHT: National Opera House; Wexford Arts Centre

OUR PASSION 93 WEXFORD’S MUSIC SCENE

CORNERBOY

Musician and lead vocalist of acts touring internationally, signing the band Cornerboy, Michael record deals as well as playing at D’Arcy met up with a group major festivals. “It’s great to see of contemporary Wexford such success and variety and the list musicians, Wallis Bird, Liam is endless; Wallis Bird, Basciville, Bates and Basciville to gain an Clive Barnes, Kevin Lawlor, The insight into the music scene in Man Whom, Paul Creane, The Wexford and how it is shaping Ocelots, Wolff, Frankenstein their musical direction. Bolts…. We hear Cry Before Dawn may be making a return too.” Michael says, “As I speak with Wallis, Liam and Basciville, In 2017 Cornerboy were touring Cornerboy is sitting in a green room North America and more recently in Volendam in the Netherlands by their own admission, they’ve waiting to go on stage. From locked themselves away to write and Cornerboy’s perspective, the current record their next single. Michael Wexford music scene is as strong as says, “Hopefully our debut album it’s ever been, with many Wexford will follow early next year.” Cornerboy

WALLIS BIRD

Wallis Bird is a singer and throughout Wallis Bird’s work, songwriter with global appeal. being the most recent title of her Wallis has released five studio fifth album. “Physically, home albums, including Architect in is where my parents and my 2014 and most recently, Home in partner are, along with my own 2016. Speaking about her native self confidence. Creatively, this Enniscorthy with its storied past year, I’ve loved simply being in - rebellion ... identity - perhaps my home – which is my house it’s something the young Wallis in Berlin: doing the dishes, then empathised with. “One thing sitting in front of my piano, that I noted about Enniscorthy taking a walk, going for a swim, from a very young age was that it and I’ve found great wealth in is an important town,” says Bird. that.” “People speak with a serious tone Wallis says there is much she

about Enniscorthy; courageous wants to achieve in music, and memorable people from all “There is lots I want to do, but

walks of life came from here three things I have clearly on my and to here for their inspiration. People speak with a bucket list include: starting a few And they are welcomed and ‘‘ bands where I’m not the front serious tone about encouraged by the town, which woman; finishing an instrumental is known all over Ireland for its Enniscorthy... which is album called Love and Fear; and beauty and its deeply intense past. known all over Ireland taking a sabbatical from my own ‘‘ It’s a very proud town, and so it work to produce records for other for its beauty and its should be.” artists for a couple years.” deeply intense past. The word ‘home’ holds strong Exciting times for Wallis! metaphoric significance Wallis Bird

94 OUR WEXFORD LIAM BATES

Liam Bates is a globally recognised they have been passed from one to name in music writing and the next generation, I can hear the production. His musical talent has voices of men spanning 300 years.” brought him into the realm of film, Speaking about the scale of the music and conducting, working Wexford musical talent pool, he with names such as the late and reveals he is still discovering new great Pavarotti, Pete Townsend musical groups. “Wexford is a from The Who and legends of hub of creativity, abundant with rock Bon Jovi as well as writing talent in layers. With any Wexford theme tunes for a variety of RTÉ based project, I inevitably meet an and BBC dramas and programmes individual or group that I previously and scoring for big-budget movies knew nothing about and I know including Last Passenger, Showgirls I am only starting to scratch the and Leap Year. He received the surface. The work which comes prestigious Promax World Gold to me from further afield can very Award in 2004 for Best Original often be achieved with the skillset Music for his work on the RTÉ 1 here in the county; that makes programme Part of Life and was life easier and usually creates the Wexford is a hub of IFTA nominated for Earthbound in foundation for a future music 2014. Having relocated to Wexford creativity, abundant with venture at a local level too.” over 15 years ago, Liam speaks of his talent in layers. With any compositional music style and the Liam is currently producing Wexford based project, influence the area he lives in has on a Sinfonia performance; the ‘‘ a man born and raised in London. commissioned orchestral I inevitably meet an suite Heroes of the Helen Blake “My style of writing is constantly individual or group‘‘ that I will be performed with the RTÉ changing and is naturally influenced National Symphony Orchestra, previously knew nothing by what I absorb, which must and the musical NOËL, which include the local culture,” says about and I know I am Bates created with Wexford greats, Liam. “When I listen to the great Eoin Colfer and Michael Londra, only starting to scratch local tradition of the Kilmore Carols will head stateside for a North sung each year and understand how the surface. American tour. Liam Bates BASCIVILLE

Basciville are Wexford siblings imagery. It’s pretty much like Cillian and Lorcan Byrne, an having a second opinion that is exciting, vibrant songwriting band your own, but can be a little more who are influenced and inspired objective.” by an eclectic mix of rhythm and The brothers both hold degrees in blues, jazz and folk music. music and their influences range Forming officially in 2014, after from Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder spending time touring with and Ella Fitzgerald to Jeff Buckley, established acts across Ireland Led Zeppelin and Ry Cooder. and Europe, Basciville took time Speaking about their unique to record their debut EP Blues in sound and how they are influenced Red in 2015, which launched to by Wexford, they say, “We try to sell-out performances in Wexford keep our palate as wide as possible and Dublin. and we’re very much influenced by They say that being brothers is film and TV scoring. We’re based certainly an advantage, “Being right on the water in the south of brothers in this business means County Wexford and that location Basciville we’ve grown up on the same music influences our compositions in and media, so we both tend to many ways, be it imagery in the enjoy the same soundscapes and words or sounds in our writing.”

OUR PASSION 95 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA The National Opera House and Wexford Festival Opera

Since the middle of the last Minister for Arts, Heritage and the 759-seat O’Reilly Theatre century, Wexford Festival Opera the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys which can be extended to an has been recognised as one of TD said that the designation 855-seat capacity, and the versatile Ireland’s cultural highlights. was “in recognition of Wexford’s 176-seat Jerome Hynes Theatre, It has become a beacon of position as the home of Ireland’s along with numerous meeting and excellence whose light is felt only custom-built opera house”. hospitality facilities, a café, and internationally on an annual bars. The designation announced by basis thanks to the consistent the Minister means Ireland takes The main auditorium is walnut- quality of its offering. Now its place among Europe’s great lined for acoustic purposes, and awarded with the title of ‘Best nations with its own specific opera designed to remind the visitor Festival in the world’ it is no house. Chief Executive David of the interior of a stringed surprise that the festival is McLoughlin said in the wake of instrument, while the sight-lines, booked out each season. the announcement that official layout, flexibility and facilities ABOVE: The state-of-the-art opera house recognition of the venue “will are all aimed at optimising Scenes from building was opened in 2008, help secure a legacy in opera in the experience for viewers and Wexford Festival Opera following government investment Ireland for generations to come, performers alike. of over €27 million, as a fitting but perhaps more importantly The venue is a fantastic focal home for the award-winning deservedly recognises the State’s point of Wexford’s attractive Festival Opera, as well as an previous significant investment town centre streets, although new all-year-round multi-disciplinary in the creation of what has been visitors to the area may at first performance art-form theatre. It internationally acclaimed as ‘the not be aware of its existence, as it has recently been granted further best small opera house in the is located on a narrow residential official recognition by being world’.” street in the centre of the former designated Ireland’s National The National Opera House Viking town. Opera House. contains two performance spaces:

96 OUR WEXFORD Once they come upon its as those regularly performed audiences travelling each October sympathetically-designed exterior on international stages. Up and from abroad to see and hear what and step inside to experience its coming young singers were also they are unlikely to experience spectacular interior, including a given the chance to showcase anywhere else in the world. The roof-top café overlooking Wexford their talents. This has led to annual festival has become famous town and harbour, however, they Wexford setting itself apart from in international circles for its are ‘wowed’ by what they see and other opera festivals. Wexford’s presentation and promotion of hear. reputation continues to grow to rarely-performed operas, while this day, becoming one of the top also providing audiences with a The National Opera House opera festivals in the world with unique opportunity to experience is also a year-round ‘cultural approximately one third of its performances from leading names receiving house’ for opera and and emerging talent in opera from all performance art forms, as Ireland and around the world. well as for conferences and other corporate events. It has won The upcoming 67th Festival next several national and international October will feature operas that architectural awards. comfortably fit into this category. Wexford Festival Opera dates The 2018 festival programme ABOVE: Auditorium, back to 1950, when Sir Compton has been extended and will run National Opera Mackenzie, the Scottish novelist from October 18th to November House and founder of Gramophone 4th 2018 offering an extensive LEFT: magazine, gave a talk to the programme including the not Front door, Wexford Opera Study Circle to be missed main-stage operas, National Opera House that November. Dr Tom Walsh daytime ShortWorks operas, was chairman of the Wexford concerts, lunchtime recitals and circle at the time and between lectures. the two of them, they decided to It has been independently stage an opera in Wexford and estimated that the festival in itself went on to launch a Festival of contributes €8.5 million annually Music and the Arts in October to the local economy. of 1951. The decision was made at an early stage to choose operas which were not as well-known

OUR PASSION 97 ACTIVITIES

LARRY & TIERNAN BYRNE GOLF CLUB CHOICE IRELAND

From traditional links to As a golf destination, this country son Larry and parkland, country club to heart- is favoured by golfers from the Tiernan Byrne, of-town, golf in Wexford offers a likes of the United States, the far Club Choice choice and variety that is hard to east, continental Europe and the Ireland is now match anywhere. Even in Ireland, United Kingdom, all of whom love in its fourth year which has carved out a reputation the variety and excellence of the of business in its over the last decade or so as a courses. current structure “golfer’s paradise”, it’s hard to and is enjoying healthy growth in None more so than in Wexford, trump the offering that Wexford its enterprise of selling Ireland as a where the long coastline has lent can come up with for the golf haven for golfers to the UK market. itself ideally to links golf while, enthusiast. inland, parkland courses have But complacency is not welcome And all sorts of abilities and sprung up on some of the best earth here and they are already looking interests are catered for in the region has to offer. towards expanding into the French Wexford; from the scratch player and lucrative US markets in the to the holidaymaker, the medium- CLUB CHOICE IRELAND coming years to ensure that the handicapper to occasional weekend Ireland likes to promote itself as region, with Wexford at its heart, golfer, you’ll find a course and a golf destination, a place where continues to trade on a reputation ABOVE: layout right up your alley in this for first-class golf, hospitality and St. Helen’s Bay tourists and enthusiasts can play Golf Resort corner of Ireland. a couple of rounds on some of the value. Of course Ireland and its climate world’s most renowned courses and You could say that golf tourism is are traditionally favourable to the enjoy our famous hospitality. in the company’s blood. Larry has development of high-quality golf But how to ensure that those visitors been well-known and respected courses. We do get quite an amount come back, that they tell their in the region for decades as, with of rain at certain times of the year, friends, that we don’t rest on our his wife Mari, the founder of the but allied with a decent level of laurels and assume that this niche fantastic St Helen’s Bay Golf Resort sunshine in the spring, summer and of our tourism “offering” will look outside Rosslare which the family even early autumn months, this after itself? and partners built up from scratch, creates the conditions needed for so to speak. green, lush layouts where the course That’s where Club Choice Ireland “I remember Dad taking me out architects are helped at all times by comes in. into a field in Rosslare in short mother nature herself. Founded by Wexford father and

100 OUR WEXFORD pants,” Tiernan says. “I used to caddy for him and he’d tell me about what was going here and what was going there and I’d be looking up at him wondering, does Mum know about this?! I got a love of the golf business very young in that I saw how every aspect of the golf business works… I got a great feeling for what it took to attract visitors to a destination and that’s what St Helen’s was.” Off the beaten track in terms of conventional tourism and golf travel, St Helen’s had to be sold to an audience abroad and Larry took it upon himself to make regular trips to the UK, particularly South Wales, and promote the brand. That’s where the idea for Club Choice originated. Initially based between The attraction to the UK visitor is Dunshaughlin in Co Meath and clear - take the hassle and expense “We had the idea that this was Wexford, the business is currently of finding the best golf destinations, something that would benefit other re-locating entirely to Wexford, best hotels and easiest modes of resorts, like ourselves, whereby going “home” to an area which travel out of their hands, provide we would pool resources and go remains at the core of what they do them with a tailored package out under one banner brand and well. according to their taste and budget. promote golf in the southeast.” All they have to worry about is Every year the business has more arriving at the port or airport on Originally a co-operative, Club than doubled in terms of visitor time and bringing some spending Choice became a business four numbers and now includes 44 money to use in the local pubs, years ago, run on the ground in clients - hotels and golf clubs/resorts restaurants and shops. Win-win. Ireland by Tiernan with Larry - across nine different counties. flying the sales and marketing Director Larry Byrne recently “We’re selling a product that’s very flag across the water, once his returned from the US where he saleable,” Larry says. “It’s fantastic involvement with St Helen’s ended. was selling Wexford as a golf value for money, people can’t destination as part of a Wexford “I had built up a lot of contacts believe it, and at the same time it’s a business delegation led by County over the previous 25 years so it top-quality product as well.” made sense for us to continue in Council Chief Executive Tom the golf business,” Larry says. The average group size is nine Enright and Minister Paul Kehoe, people, playing an average of three so that gives an idea of Club Choice Now he visits up to 200 golf rounds of golf and staying three Ireland’s future plans. clubs in the UK each year, selling nights, often arriving by ferry “We’d be biased because I’m the product of Irish golf and through Dublin or Rosslare which a Wexford man and Dad is hospitality directly, building up the is also part of the package. profile and raising awareness of the a Wexford man through and brand. “The spend of your golfer is four through. At the same time, if a ABOVE: times more than your average golfer didn’t enjoy it, they wouldn’t Bunclody “We started in 2013 with 278 and tourist. They’re a premium come back. They lead the charge Golf Club this year we’re bringing in 2,000 demographic,” as Tiernan points for Wexford because of the visitors from the UK alone.” out. “One of the most satisfying experiences they’ve had. We’ve had As Tiernan explains: “Our unique parts of our growth is the number groups who have come to Wexford selling point is that everything we of repeats and referrals. The groups for years and they’re coming back do is personalised. It’s all tailor- are coming back to us so we must again and again, letting us tailor made. We’re not selling something be doing something right. I’m also things for them. They love what the that’s already packaged; every getting people ringing up saying county offers. From a Club Choice group I bring in from start to they got our name from someone point of view, we’re excited about finish I practically hand-hold in who came over with us last year. the future and we hope the work terms of their budget and their age That says a lot about what we’re we’re doing in places like the USA and what their preferences are.” doing well.” and France will start to bear fruit.”

ACTIVITIES 101 COLIN GIBBON ADVENTURE SHEILBAGGAN OUTDOOR IN WEXFORD EDUCATION CENTRE

From surfing to sailing and Centre remains the fruit of that 14 years, says fishing to quad biking and venture and in the intervening years that everything archery there is a fun challenge has seen thousands of young people they do has an for all enthusiasts in Wexford. and adults pass through its walls educational

ABOVE: The professional providers of and partake of its many and varied aspect. Colin was on Mount Ray D’Arcy these adventure sports will only activities. Leinster as we spoke, leading a angling in be too happy to assist you and group of second-year students who While much has happened in the Wexford your family to plan a fun-filled were filling out a geography sheet meantime, tastes have changed day out! while they walked and observed. and trends have been invented Twenty-seven years ago the powers- and reinvented, the basic premise “I’m a geography teacher by trade that-be in vocational education of Sheilbaggan remains constant: but we can make geography in Wexford made the far-sighted use the outdoors and our beautiful more real by standing on top of decision to establish an outdoor landscape and natural amenities Mount Leinster, for example, and education centre at Hook Head as a hands-on tool for educating, talking about the glaciers and the on the western side of the county’s building bonds and nourishing a boulders and so on, where all of this coast. love for the outdoors. happened.” Today, the hugely-popular Centre director Colin Gibbon, who To say Colin is originally a Sheilbaggan Outdoor Education has been working at the centre for geography teacher is a bit like saying

102 OUR WEXFORD to allow the centre stand on its feet so it has to maximise revenue from other sources, whether that’s school bookings or corporate team- building days. One such was organised recently by Sheilbaggan’s staff for a group of executives who flew in from all corners of the globe for a meeting of a multi-national company with a base in the southeast of Ireland, and wanted something with a difference away from their business campus. Weeks of planning went into the event which involved the hiring of nearby Loftus Hall (known as Ireland’s most haunted house) on Hook Head, and challenging the execs with a number of exercises and projects. So variety is the spice of life at Sheilbaggan. “We have 65 kids walking up Mount Leinster in different waves and they will have an experience that many of them will never have had before.” Future plans for the centre includes a potential move to Fourth Mountain, north of Wexford town, where there would be access to a five-acre lake, thousands of acres Bill Gates is handy with computers. located at Ramsgrange on Hook of forest and more of the famous He has also spent much time over Head, is on school groups and southeastern coastline. “It’s an ideal the years travelling, teaching in education. spot to put in an outdoor facility.” the UK, mountaineering, sailing The other side of the coin is the professionally, and has an MBA This would allow the team weekends and the summer season, which included crisis management to continue to expand their when the centre is popular with training in its course work. programme of activities and once local visitors and tourists while more use the natural amenity All manner of outdoor activities are summer camps are also run for offered by Wexford’s great exterior. offered at Sheilbaggan, to school young people, offering a huge range “We have an amazing coastal groups, work groups, company of activities in the great outdoors. landscape here and we need to keep executives, even stag parties. From At the moment, Sheilbaggan is promoting that,” Colin says. “If sea-kayaking to rock-climbing, averaging about 11,000 visitor days you’re a local, you know where to canoeing to abseiling, high-rope per annum and staff numbers vary go but if you’re a visitor you need walking to archery, orienteering to from three or four during winter to to be given more access to the sea coasteering. The latter is a relatively 15 or 20 in high season. A common and the woods and forestry. Raven recent phenomenon and involves, trait is that they are all “passionate” Point, for example, looking down as the name suggests, plotting a about the outdoors and passing on over Wexford is one of the most way along a stretch of coastline their knowledge to their charges. beautiful places in the world. We which could include jumping off need to make that part of the tourist cliffs, swimming through caves and These days the centre is run experience.” climbing over rocks. under the auspices of the VEC’s successor, the Waterford and Sheilbaggan Outdoor Education “It’s quite adventurous,” as Colin Wexford Education and Training Centre are certainly helping to do puts it, with understatement. Board (ETB) and is one of 12 that, with their mission statement Monday to Friday, particularly such places located around the “to actively resource the education, between September and June, country. But while there’s a grant environmental, social, sporting and the focus at Sheilbaggan which is via the ETB, that’s not enough fun needs of all participants.”

ACTIVITIES 103 WEXFORD GREENWAY

Walking and cycling have become hugely popular throughout Ireland in recent years and the country is now a popular destination for visitors who hope to pursue these activities. Destined to be a much-travelled route in the near future is the 24km stretch between New Ross and Waterford city, which will use the amazing scenery of the area, and an old CYCLING IN disused railway line to provide a beautiful greenway and add to the growing number of WEXFORD such facilities nationwide. The €3 million-plus greenway project is Wexford is a beautiful county full of located along the former rail line between breathtaking coastlines, stunning New Ross and Waterford, much of it running countryside and historic sites. A number of through County Kilkenny, and supported by wonderful looped cycling routes are already Irish Rail who formerly operated passenger in place across Wexford including the 53km and freight rail services along its length until Slaney Route, a trip around north Wexford it fell into disuse some years ago. taking cyclists across the bridge and on towards Enniscorthy. According to Wexford County Council Director of Services Eamonn Hore, walking County Wexford is part of the European and cycling are worth about €300 million network of cycling routes, the Eurovelo. The annually to the Irish economy so there’s no ‘Eurovelo 1’ cycling route extends over 9,000km reason why the county can’t benefit from a from Scandinavia to the Algarve. Cycle along chunk of that business by using its natural the County Wexford section of the route, which begins in Rosslare and continues along the coast heritage to best advantage. to Ballyhack for spectacular sights and scenery, The greenway will start at the Boardwalk hidden from the car driver. in New Ross and continue through The 36km coastal route takes cyclists out to south County Kilkenny to Waterford the internationally important Wildfowl Reserve city, ultimately forming part of a major of the Wexford Slobs and then on past some national walking and cycling route between fantastic beaches. Dungarvan and Dublin. A 78km tour of south Wexford initially takes The route will take in the old Red Bridge cyclists uphill towards a roundabout near the outside New Ross and include an 800-metre picturesque Johnstown Castle, and then on to ABOVE: tunnel at Mountelliott, which is set to be the the old town of Rosslare and its busy ferry port Cycling at Mount longest greenway tunnel in Ireland. Leinster nearby at Kilrane and on to the fishing village of Kilmore Quay. Later, cyclists can afford to The original railway line was built in 1904 linger at Johnstown Castle with its gardens but hasn’t carried any passengers for over 50 and Agricultural Museum, knowing that a few years or any freight for over two decades. minutes freewheeling will take them back down to Wexford town. But for the greenway plan, the entire route was on its way to becoming totally overgrown For cross-country and downhill mountain- and unusable. bike riders a visit to Kilbrannish just outside Bunclody is a must. Kilbrannish has hosted various XC events in the past including Leinster XC League. The trails are forever evolving and contain loads of exciting single tracks with some downhill trails also constructed in the area.

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