The 2.5 acre site which adjoins The Secret Garden.
The land in question is owned by the OPW.
Rosslare Harbour Kilrane Environment Group pictured receiving their award at the Wexford County Council Environment Awards 2023 in the Ferrycarrig Hotel recently. (l to r)- Jodi Somers (Wexford County Council), Eugene Ferguson, Cllr Lisa McDonald ( Leas Cathaoirleach, Rosslare Municipal District), Tony McCormack, Olga Ghivitsa, Cllr Jim Codd, Vera Fox, Sheila Leacy (Wexford County Council). Pic: Jim Campbell
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One of Co Wexford’s best kept secrets may be getting an extension after calls were made to purchase some of its adjoining lands. Located in the middle of Rosslare Harbour, Kirwan’s Garden (also known as The Secret Garden) has been developed and maintained by the local environmental group who have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag for their work there.
The small woodland and park area, which features a pond, a hobbit house, and picnic benches, faces out onto approximately two-and-a-half acres of unused land; and at the May meeting of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) cathaoirleach Jim Codd asked whether that land could be purchased so that the garden could be extended.
“I have visited The Secret Garden and it’s an absolute credit to the group, it’s the most fantastic woodland, you could only feel better in yourself after walking through it,” said Councillor Codd. “I know Wexford County Council (WCC) has assisted the group down there previously, but I understand there’s a couple of acres at the back of it – it’s Office of Public Works (OPW) land.
“Could we write to the OPW and try to secure it? Community groups like this must be supported. To have a forest like that in the middle of a built up area is simply fantastic.”
Environmental engineer Rory O’Mahony also visited the garden recently and remarked that the OPW did not appear to be “particular interested” in the land in question. Director of services with the RMD, Lynda Lacey, offered some further hope as she promised that she would “investigate and see what potential there is to purchase” the land in question.
Separately the Rosslare Harbour/Kilrane Environment Group (RHKEG) has made a submission to the RMD asking that it purchase the land on its behalf.
“We are very conscious of the impact of climate change and the need to do our part in rewilding and giving back to nature,” wrote chairman of the RHKEG, Micheál Delaney. “Our area is becoming more residential and industrial and we should be planning on developing biodiversity corridors where we can. An opportunity now exists and we strongly recommend that it be given fair consideration.
“There is a two-and-a-half acre site owned and currently unused by the OPW in the customs compound that borders our wetland/ biodiversity pond area. This is part of an overall 17 acre site. We understand that this entire facility will be moved to the port area within the coming years and that the land will become available for future development.
“The two-and-a-half acres that border the gardens could help to develop an extensive woodland area of native trees and shrubs with added opportunity for restoration and protection of biodiversity. It will support the idea of a biodiversity corridor that allows nature to live and thrive amongst us. This is an opportunity for us to do something really beneficial for future generations. To have a seven-acre Village Park and Gardens within the confines of an expanding Rosslare Harbour and Kilrane would be wonderful.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.