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 are Town Teams?
The Town Team initiative is to encourage more collaboration, communication and cooperation between the Local Authority, business and the wider community and to develop one voice from one team for each town.
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.
Mission Statement: Make Wicklow Town a better place to live work and play.
Wicklow Town Team is registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee. All members are volunteers. The Steering Committee meets once a month and Sub Groups meet as required. The team reports regularly to Wicklow Municipal District.
Who are Wicklow Town Team:
Chairperson – Dave Shannon
Vice Chairperson - Vacant
Secretary – David Porter
Financial Officer – Fiona Doyle
Tourism & Hospitality – Pascal Burke
East Coat Greenway – Ciarán Lally
Public Realm & Heritage – Myra Porter
Arts & Culture – Evelyn Murray
Environment / Sustainable Energy – Andrew Lawless
Digital & Social Media – Nathan Lavin
Wicklow Municipal District Cathaoirleach – Paul O’Brien
Outgoing Wicklow Municipal District Cathaoirleach – Gail Dunne
Wicklow Municipal District Administrator – Joan Sinnott
Wicklow County Council Advisor – Deirdre Whitfiled
The above steering committee manages groups of volunteers who work on various projects.
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.
The Town Team initiative is to encourage more collaboration, communication and cooperation between the Council, business and the wider community and to develop one voice from one team for each town. To date we have received over €700,000k in grant aid towards projects for Wicklow Town.
Projects Completed
East Coast Greenway - Feasibility study from Wicklow Town to Greystones Feasibility Study which was carried out by Atkins and showed several potential routes.
Heritage Walk – created a 24-location historical walk through the town. It covers many historical stories and landmarks, bringing locals and tourists on a journey through time with interactive visual retelling at various stops. Walking tours available every Saturday at 11am from Fitzwilliam Square from late Spring to early Autumn.
Outdoor Dining in the Market Square – Awnings, Tables, Lighting and Heating installed.
WicklowTown.ie – A website highlighting all Wicklow Town has to offer.
Féile Chill Mhantáin – A three-day Irish Festival (Music, Dance, Yoga, Literature and more).
A consumer and retail survey – Carried out by iReach Insights to improve the retail experience and gain insight into consumer and retailer perceptions.
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.
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 funding this project.
Feasibility study for a Youth Theatre in Wicklow Town – this identified the Assembly Hall as a credible site. Discussions ongoing with WMD.
Bus corridor from Wicklow to Dublin and a Park & Ride – Proposals were brought to the National Transport Authority (NTA) and it has been agreed and subject to finance, TII, NTA & WCC will proceed with this project. Proposals from WTT for a Park & Ride are also being considered by all stakeholders.
Codling Wind Park – Worked closely with Codling Wind Park to show the benefits of Wicklow Port as a base. Codling have announced that Wicklow Port is their preferred location for an Operation and Maintenance base.
Membership Drive – A concerted drive to recruit new members to ensure a broad cross community representation took place on 25th February 2023. We are always looking for Team Leaders and Team Members of all ages and backgrounds. View Brochure
Projects in Progress
Backlighting Historical Sites – Funding secured for the backlighting of the historical sites in 2018 and works are underway.
East Coast Greenway from Wicklow Town to Greystones – 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 – Working with Councillor Mary Kavanagh and Cormac McGrane on a pilgrim walk from Wicklow to Glendalough. Details of the route have been presented to WCC and County Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Committee (WORC). Work has commenced with WORC on finalising plans for the walk.
Murrough Running Track – Continue working with WMD for a running track on the Murrough at the request of Indhear Dee Athletics Club. This can be used as a lakeside walk by the general public. Using the natural terrain with no construction work required.
WicklowTown.ie - The Digital & Social Media group has taken over the maintenance of wicklowtown.ie. Regular updates are made to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Upcoming Projects
New Members – A concerted drive to recruit new members to ensure a broad cross community representation. We are always looking for Team Leaders and Team Members of all ages and backgrounds.
Pump Bike Track on the Murrough – Project approved in principle and awaiting pending licence and planning.
East Coast Greenway – Continue to support WCC in the provision of a Greenway from Wicklow to Greystones. Once EIS is completed and if signed off by TII, this project should be brought to planning stage.
Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy – A submission has been presented to WCC, Minister Harris and KWETB to develop a centre of excellence for sustainable energy and also an opportunity for Marine Based Training.
Street Painting Scheme – Several years ago a palette was created for the main street through Wicklow District & Chamber of Commerce but due to lack of funding at the time the project did not progress. This project is at a very early stage, if approved, funding streams will then be explored by WTT.
Town Gateways (Entrances to the town) - Improve the Gateways into the town e.g., Flowerbeds, artistic installations etc.
St. Patrick – Develop St Patricks association with Wicklow Town. Work has started on this proposal by the tourism and hospitality group. It has the potential to be a strong visitor attraction for the town.
Irish Coast Guard Rocket Cart – Currently housed at Wire Ropes, it is a priority for WTT and Councillor Paul O’Brien to secure funding to find a suitable home for the Rocket Cart so it can go on public display.
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.
