Home Care In New Ross, IN

New Ross Boat Yard in Co. Wexford is set for a significant boost in business following a major investment in a new boat lift and wind turbine.

The facility, which extends to over four acres, has 230 metres of shoreline and has access to the River Barrow, Nore and Suir, has a 15-metre by 70-metre long dry dock used for servicing large commercial fishing boats, ferries and smaller leisure boats.

It was able to invest in new facilities due to €340,000 investment, €170,000 of which came from the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme, implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).

Its new 60-ton hoist replaces its antiquated 50-ton, 25-year-old hoist, which required significant fuel and maintenance needs.

Owner Michael Kehoe said: "We had a number of boats that we were no longer in a position to take into the yard due to the capacity of this lift. The new lift has made a huge difference.

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"It means we can take on bigger boats, and see the weights displayed on each lifting point, something which is very important and allows us to distribute weight when lifting a vessel.”

Kehoe and his brother Stephen bought the yard in 2008, which is one of only three drydocks in Ireland measuring over 70m in length.

The brothers also used part of the funds to invest in a 10 KW wind turbine, which has reduced the previous €2,500 monthly energy bills and allowed the brothers to sell excess energy back to the electrical grid.

New Ross Boat Yard has a history dating back 50 years and at its height in the 1970s employed around 400 people.

There are over 100 boats in the yard at any given time for storage or repair, and the yard does maintenance work on the Dunbrody Famine ship, a local tourist attraction, as well as the Galley Cruising Restaurant.

Michael added: "As well as fishing vessels we get lots of interesting characters here with their leisure boats. One of our regular customers is a renowned travel writer who spends several months a year sailing around the world, and he docks the boat here in winter."

A Co Wexford boatyard says that a €340,000 investment under the Brexit Blue Economy enterprise development scheme will allow it to work with heavier fishing and leisure vessels for dry dock and repair.

New Ross Boat Yard has taken delivery of a 60-ton hoist that will not only handle bigger vessels but is also more energy efficient, operating on reduced diesel.

The well-known marine facility extends to over four acres and has 230 metres of shoreline to the west of the River Barrow, as well as access to the rivers Nore and the Suir.

One of its key facilities is a 15-metre by 70-metre-long dry dock used for servicing large commercial fishing boats and ferries, as well as smaller leisure boats.

The boatyard has also used the funding to invest in a 10 KW wind turbine and solar panels which are reducing energy bills and the businesses carbon footprint.

The boatyard received total grant aid of €170,000 towards its €340,000 investment under the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme.

The scheme is funded by the European Union under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

Boat Yard owner Michael Kehoe said the former 25-year-old boat hoist could only lift 50 tons, was not energy efficient, and needed more and more maintenance to keep it in working order.

“We had a number of boats that we were no longer in a position to take into the yard due to the capacity of this lift,”he explained.

“The new lift has made a huge difference. It means we can take on bigger boats, and see the weights displayed on each lifting point, something which is very important and allows us to distribute weight when lifting a vessel,” he said.

At any given time, there are over 100 boats in the yard representing a mix of fishing and leisure boats in for servicing and repair, and for winter storage.

Currently, the yard is servicing two ‘mini-cruise’ ships - the Barrow Princess and Cailín Déise owned by the Three Sisters Cruise Company. The company runs mini cruises along the rivers Suir and Barrow.

The boatyard also does important maintenance work on the Dunbrody famine replica, which is based on New Ross quay front.

New Ross Boat Yard has a history dating back 50 years. At its height in the 1970s, it employed around 400 people and supported vessels that sailed all over the globe.

Michael Kehoe and his brother Stephen bought the boat yard in 2008 and they invested in the refurbishment of the dry dock as well as building a storage facility, showroom, offices and storerooms.

It offers boat sales, services, and storage facilities all on-site, and has one of only three dry docks in Ireland measuring 70 meters in length.

Before the solar panels and wind turbine were introduced, the yard's electricity bills were €2,500 a month.

“By being able to offset the cost of our electricity bills and possibly selling electricity back to the grid, we are in a position to protect ourselves against future price rises,” Kehoe said.

By Dan Walsh

The first ever Town Centre First Plans for 26 towns across every county was launched in Adare, Co. Limerick, recently and New Ross was the designated pathfinder town for County Wexford and along with the other pathfinder Towns was officially launched at the event.

The Plans which were developed in consultation with local communities represent the vision of local people for their area and contain proposals for a diverse range of projects such as redeveloping derelict sites, creating community parks and walkways, boosting SME and tourism potential, and protecting historical landmarks.

Cllr Anthony Connick, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council and Chair of the New Ross Town Centre First team represented New Ross at the launch along with fellow Town Team member Sean Connick and they were joined by Deputy Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eamonn Hore, Director of Services with responsibility for Town Centre First, Liz Hore and Town Regeneration Officer Mick Mc Cormack.

Cllr Connick used the launch opportunity to thank the community, businesses and people of New Ross for their input into the Plan and to his fellow councillors and the New Ross Town Centre First team. He also pointed out that this strategic document can be used by business and community groups to strengthen their applications for funding supports and will also be used by Wexford County Council in applying for future funding and was proud to be associated with this urban regeneration plan.

Deputy Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eamonn Hore was very happy with the plan in place for New Ross and took the opportunity to thank staff, consultants and the people of New Ross for feeding into the Town Centre First process which culminated in a very strong urban regeneration plan.

Cllr Connick is encouraging people to view the plan online and get involved in local community/ development groups and make some of the objectives and projects identified through the plan a reality. “The objective is to make New Ross a more attractive place to work, visit, live and do business and this plan strengthens our hand in achieving this goal,” concluded Cllr Connick.

This Plan was launched locally in December of last year and is available to view on the Wexford County Council website or physical copies can be viewed in the Tholsel or New Ross Library.

The upcoming St Patrick’s Day parade, a local screening of ‘Small Things Like These’ and a civic awards night in April were among the items up for discussion at the February New Ross Municipal District meeting.

Area manager Alan Fitzhenry updated councillors about both events, as well as plans for Brennan’s Lane and The Shambles.

Mr Fitzhenry said the Civic Awards Evening, where the council recognises the outstanding achievement of individuals and groups within the district over the last number of years, will be held in mid to late April in the Brandon House Hotel.

“This year as agreed, we are requesting three nominations per councillor, of an individual or group of individuals. An individual will be seated at a table of eight while a group can be accommodated with two tables of eight. All nominations by councillors to be in by March 8,” he said.

“It promises to be a special evening for the recipients and their families and is fitting that their achievements should be honoured by the New Ross Municipal District.”

Mr Fitzhenry said the New Ross Town St Patrick’s Day parade preparations are well advanced with thanks to the committee and volunteers. “The parade will start in the Irishtown and take its traditional route through the town before ending beyond the viewing platform on the Quay.”

The theme of this year’s parade is ‘Community Togetherness’ which emphasises the importance of coming together as a community and supporting each other. Local businesses are also being encouraged to take part in the Shop Window Competition.

“We would ask all participants and members of the public to follow guidance and instruction from stewards and An Garda Siochana on the day, and as always fingers crossed for fine weather!”

He said there is no change or update on the Phase 1 CCTV Scheme Pack, which is still with the Gardaí.

Regarding Brennan’s Lane and The Shambles, Mr Fitzhenry said consultants Avanti Architects have now submitted the full tender pack and this has been sent to the Procurement Unit of Wexford County Council for uploading to eTenders this week. Tendering companies will have around weeks to submit.

"Following assessment, the plan is to have a successful tenderer by the end of the first quarter 2024, and for works to start promptly thereafter.”

Mr Fitzhenry said the council plan on holding a Small Things Like These event in New Ross after it was announced the film starring Cillian Murphy was finally getting its first showing at the Berlin Film Festival Thursday night.

"We wish all cast, crew and producers the very best and hope that it is warmly received by viewers and most importantly by film critics. This is the first stage in the process to engage a distribution deal in order to circulate the film worldwide. Once official release details are announced, we plan on having our own event in New Ross to mark the occasion.”