Wicklow Town Team
The Wicklow Town Team have come together to promote Wicklow Town and all it has to offer to visitors and residents alike in an effort to stimulate business, growth, and tourism.
If you have an idea or you would like to get involved you can email us at wicklowtownteam@gmail.com
What is a Town Team?
A Town Team is a co-ordinating body of local volunteers drawn from active stake-holders, community groups, the voluntary sector and business organisations that work in co-operation with the local Municpial District Council for the benefir of the local community and its environment.
About Wicklow Town Team:
Wicklow Town Team was established with the stated mission of making Wicklow town a better place to live, work, shop and play.
The steering committee currently comprises the 7 chairs of our working groups, a representative from Wicklow Town & District Chamber of Commerce, t2o elected members of Wicklow Municipal Council and officials of Wicklow County Council.
To date the Town Team has secured over €1 million in funding for projects that have made a significant difference to our town. These projects would not happen without the dedicated work of our volunteers who work closely with our local Municipal Council and Wicklow County Council to secure funding for projects focused on improving our town environment, promotion of tourism, the arts, sporting/recreational development, community development, and climate action and sustainable energy.
Wicklow Town Team Steering Group:
Chairperson – Pascal Burke
Secretary – Georgina Franey
Financial Officer – Ian Hook
Chair East Coat Greenway – Ciaran lally
Chair Public Realm & Heritage – Myra Porter
Chair Arts & Culture – Evelyn Murray
Chair Environment / Sustainable Energy – Deaglan O’Meachair
Chair Sports & Recreation – Enda Luddy
Chair Tourism & Hospitality – Pascal Burke
Chair Website & Social Media – Rosemary Kavanagh
Wicklow Town and District Chamber of Commerce Representative – Stephen Delaney
Wicklow Municipal District Cathaoirleach – Gail Dunne
Outgoing Wicklow Municipal District Cathaoirleach – Graham Richmond
Wicklow Municipal District Manager – Brian Gleeson
Wicklow Municipal District Administrator – Georgina Franey
Wicklow County Council Town Regeneration Officer – Stephen Clarke
Each chair of the above working groups is a member of the Steering Group and manages their team ov volunteers who work on completing projects within their remit and identifying new projects for their on-going development.
If you have some spare time and would like to get involved, please sign up today or if you do not have the time but have an idea for a project, please let us know.
Projects in Progress
Abbey Grounds – Brought previously developed plans by Wicklow Parish for the Abbey Grounds to Wicklow County Council (WCC) and worked to ensure a leasing agreement with the various stakeholders which has resulted in Fáilte Ireland and Wicklow County Council funding this project. Work is now at an advanced stage to open this superb town centre facility as a public park / amphitheatre / recreational space in late Autumn 2025.
Pump Bike Track on the Murrough – Funding has been secured for this superb recreational project and the planning application for the track is currently under consideration by the council. Tenders have been issued seeking a contractor to undertake the work and it it anticipated that this project will be completed in the current calendar year.
East Coast Greenway – Government funding of €500,000 has recently been granted to bring this project to the planning stage early next year. This hugely important project, when completed will have very Continue lobbying for funding for this project with the various Government and local representatives which helped WCC in securing substantial funding for an Environmental Impact Study. (Report due Autumn 2023)
Wicklow Courthouse – Lobbying for the reopening of the Wicklow Courthouse or a decision on its future. This has been ongoing with various Government departments and our public representatives for 18 months. Some exterior cleaning and painting have been completed by the OPW.
South Quay Connectivity – Secured substantial funding for connectivity between the Main Street and South Quays (Dr Steps / Salt house Lane, Quarantine Hill). Work to commence in Spring 2023.
Pilgrim Walk – Our Tourism Team have worked with Ex-Councillor Mary Kavanagh and Cormac McGrane to develop a pilgrim walk from Wicklow town to Glendalough. The approved route upon leaving Wicklow town will be mainly off-road through woodland. An application for funding has been made to the County Wicklow Ourdoor Recreation Committee (WORC). We anticipate a postive response on or before 20th June 2025.
N11 Bus corridor from Wicklow to Dublin and a Park & Ride – In 2020 the Town Team met with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to propose a plan to create a a Bus Priority Lane on the N11 to imporve commuting times to Dublin. The idea was to use the existing road structure to include the hard shoulder and central median. Following on its appointment of consultants, the NTA are proceeding with detailed plans of their preferred option which can be viewed here. Upon delivery of this project, there will be significant improvement in commuting times to Dublin allowing the bus to travel ob a dedicated bus lane whilst not reducing the existing two lanes. It is proposed to include a Park & Ride facility to facilitate those commuters who choose to use the enhanced public transport option.
Upcoming Projects
New Members – We are making a determined drive to recruit new members for our working groups. We are especially keen to ensure broad cross community representation. We are looking for Team Leaders and Team Members of all ages and backgrounds. If you feel you can make a real difference to your local community by joining one of our working groups or if you have an idea for a new project, please contact us at wicklowtownteam@gmail.com
The Black Castle – The Town Team have secured €50k in funding for a survey of the Black Castle area with a view to improving its visual appearence and enhancing its access for our local community and visitors to the area. Consultants are now being actively sought to quote for this project and to set out a timeline for the completion of the following stages: Analysis/Public Consultation/Draft Design/Final Design/Planning Process
The successful consultant will be required to prepare a comprehensive plan for the enhancement of these public lands and to assess the structural condition of the Castle.
Town Gateways (Entrances to the town) - It is acknowledged there is a need to enhance the gateways into the town. A replica Viking ship which was used on filming of the Vikings in Ashford Studios has been acquired. A local landowner has agreed to allow the ship to be placed on the verge of the approach road from Rathnew. This will be installed in 2025, subject to planning permission. WTT are working on proposals to improve the visual appearance of other key entranced to our town.
Irish Coast Guard Rocket Cart – This beautiful ancient Rocket Cart is currently in safe storage courtesy of the directors of Wire Ropes Ltd. The purpose of the Rocket Cart was to file rockets out to stricken ships close to the shore in order to evacuate sick and injured sailors or to send out supplies using a pulley system. WTT are now seeking an appropriate coastal location to publicly display the Rocket Cart to inform our local population and tourists about its role in our rich maritime history.
Projects Completed
South Quay Connectivity - This project was funded under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme following on a recognition of the need to revitalise the important links between the Main Street and the South Quay. The beautiful murals and artwork have won unanimous local approval and have added to our town landscape while at the same time being true to our local heritage and history. This scheme includes the Wicklow maritime Mini-Mural Trail and the Golly Trail that were lead and project managed by our Public Real Realm/Heritage/Arts & Culture teams.
Wicklow Town Heritage Walk – This trail takes in 19 key historical locations and brings locals and visitors on a journey through time from St. Patrick’s landing in 432 to the end of of the civil war on 1923. Since its development in 2022, this trail with its colourful and informative storyboards, has attracted over 1000 participants. A free guided walk takes place on Saturdays at 11am, departing from outside the Tourist Office in Fitzwilliam Square, every Saturday from Easter Saturday to the last Saturday in September.
Backlighting Historical Sites – Our Public realm Team identified the importance to our public realm of a number of our historic and civic buildings and applied for Government Funding to backlight St. Patrick’s Church, The Church of Ireland, Billy Byrne and Halpin monuments, Parnell Bridge, Stone Bridge, Town Hall and Black Castle.
WicklowTown.ie – A website highlighting all Wicklow Town has to offer. If you have a positive news story, want to advertise a community event or want to promote a new business in the town then please email us at: wicklowtownteam@gmail.com
A consumer and retail survey – Carried out by iReach Insights to improve the retail experience and gain insight into consumer and retailer perceptions.
De La Salle Pastoral Centre – The Sustainable Energy group are in the process of completing a significant retrofit upgrade project for this community centre. The major elements of the project include insulating the building fabric and solar PV and battery array. On completion, the overall energy usage of the facility will reduce by over 50% and will serve as an examp[le of how community members can improve their own homes and businesses. This project was funded by Wicklow Council Council through the Community Climate Action Fund.
Outdoor Dining in the Market Square – Awnings, Tables, Lighting and Heating installed.
Féile Chill Mhantáin – A three-day Irish Festival (Music, Dance, Yoga, Literature and more)
East Coast Greenway Feasibility Study - A feasibility study from Wicklow Town to Greystones was carried out by Atkins and showed several potential routes.
Parking and Traffic flow recommendations report – Sent to Wicklow Municipal District (WMD) with some recommendations agreed and completed such as signage for long term car park and the trialling of a one-way system. Click here to view the Proposed Parking and Traffic Flow Recommendations which were presented to WMD in July 2019.
Feasibility study for a Youth Theatre in Wicklow Town – This identified the Assembly Hall as a credible site. Discussions ongoing with WMD.
Codling Wind Park – The Codling Wind park is a proposed offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea in an area called The Codling Bank located approx. 15-20km off the Wicklow coast between Greystones and Wicklow Town. The team worked closely with the senior directors of the company and they have chosen Wicklow Port as their Operations/Maintenance centre.
Membership Drives – A concerted drive to recruit new members to ensure a broad cross community representation took place on 25th February 2023 and again on 3rd May 2025. We are always looking for Team Leaders and Team Members of all ages and backgrounds. View Brochure
Wicklow Town Team History:
The genesis of the Wicklow town team was the formation of the ‘Local Economic Initiative Group’ setup by Wicklow Chamber of Commerce in September 2016. This group consisted of individuals with local, national and international experience. The group highlighted the areas they felt would have a positive impact on the community from a social, business and leisure aspect. They also wanted to improve the town for the people that live in our community, a town to be proud of.
The Local Economic Initiative Group presented its findings ‘Kickstart Wicklow’ to the Wicklow Chamber and to Wicklow Municipal District Council in April 2017. There was one strong recommendation and that was the appointment of an implementation committee, and as a result the Town Team was born.
The Town Team could not carry out the work outlined without the support of WMD and WCC for which we are indebted and grateful. We would also wish to acknowledge the funding streams at national and local level, Wicklow Partnership (LEADER), Department of Rural and Community Development (Town & Village Renewal) and Fáilte Ireland.
