New Ross
Population: 8,610 (2022 Census)
A Norman Town in southwest County Wexford founded 800 years ago, New Ross has a population of over 8,000 which makes it a mid-size town by Irish standards. Located picturesquely on the side of a hill that drops away to the Ross River, New Ross’s elevated topography and strategic siting is intimately bound up with its evolution and history and is a defining part of the town’s character and identity. Its natural riverine advantages led to it developing as a significant inland port and Anglo-Norman walled town with a wealth of historic buildings and places providing a unique character. It’s great location with nearby coastline, loop walks, a natural terrain of hills and river, and a proud sense of community and heritage, all add to the identity of the town.
The economy of New Ross was traditionally dependent on river traffic, which has declined significantly in recent years, due to the legacy of its trading and industrial past a high proportion of the workforce are employed in Processing, Plant, Machinery and Skilled trades. New Ross is also an important services centre for its hinterland and has developed in recent years as a tourism hub.
New Ross has much appealing heritage with three strands connected to its Norman origins, emigration, and former function as a port. The town is marketed for tourism in the context of Ireland’s ancient East and there is cooperation with other nearby towns of historic interest, including Enniscorthy, Waterford and Kilkenny.
The historical connection with North America is a major asset for the town, which is maintained by the JFK Arboretum and the Annual Kennedy Summer School. There are some significant tourism developments in the pipeline including a Norman Heritage Centre and a future connection to the extended Southeast Greenway which has the potential to have a transformational impact on the economy of the Town.
The New Ross Town Team representing the key stakeholders for the town, came together with the Town Regeneration Officer and the Local Authority to produce this Town Centre First plan which aims to address the social, cultural, economic and environmental aspects of the town’s development.
During the process the themes that emerged were: Environment, Heritage, Economy, Placemaking & Movement, Local Community and Tourism. The Town Centre First plan provides a vision, design guidance, advice and direction that will act as a useful reference document for the future development of New Ross.