New Ross flies the flag for Wexford with two nominations in the Local Government Awards

The New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) is setting the standard for the rest of Co Wexford to follow after two of its projects were shortlisted in the 2026 Local Government Awards. The awards feature projects shortlisted over 16 categories which recognise the work of local authorities and highlights their important activity all around the country. And Wexford County Council's two nominations this year both come from the NRMD. In the Heritage and Built Environment category, the project to refurbish Duncannon Fort has been shortlisted for the award alongside initiatives from Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, and Kildare. And a further New Ross project has been shortlisted in the Urban Revival category with the rejuvenation of The Shambles nominated alongside Clare, Cork, Kilkenny, Laois, and Waterford. Official opening of The Shambles in Mary Street, New Ross. Opened by Minister Dara Calleary. Photo; Mary Browne Reacting to the nominations, Alan Fitzhenry, District Manager of the NRMD, said: 'The New Ross Municipal District is delighted to once again be short-listed for national awards. We are honoured to have been selected and to see the transformative regeneration works undertaken in The Shambles, New Ross and at historic Duncannon Fort, recognised. 'As always, the competition is strong with some excellent projects around the country, but hopefully these new projects can follow previous wins for the district with the High Hill, Emigrant Park, and the Great New Ross River Walk all winners in recent years.' Originally constructed in the late 16th century by Queen Elizabeth I, Duncannon Fort had been closed to visitors since 2015 prior its reopening in April of this year. Following funding of €500,000 from the Department of Rural and Community Development with an additional €250,000 from Wexford County Council (WCC), a new reception area, community buildings, and accessible toilet facilities have been developed at the site. Those works represented phase one of a larger-scale project which seeks to completely redevelop the site as a tourist attraction. The Shambles on Mary Street, which was a popular meat market for many years, reopened in December 2025, having fallen into a state of dereliction. However, an extensive regeneration project transformed it into a hub for community events and gatherings the first of which saw Santa Claus set up a grotto there for the children of New Ross. The project was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, with additional funding provided by Wexford County Council (WCC). Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.