As we prepare to say farewell to 2019, one voluntary group who will have happy memories of worthwhile development and community progress during the year is Gorey Tidy Towns.

The enthusiastic group set up camp at the Gorey Civic Square pavilion in mid-November to distribute 400 trees to the public where it was decided to unveil the town’s new bottle refill stations,  local artist Kate Kos finished work on a new Tidy Towns mural, and the following week, an oak tree was presented to each of the seven schools in Gorey to celebrate Gorey 400.

Three refill stations have been installed around town, across from the pavilion at Gorey Civic Square, on the Paul Funge Boulevard, and on Main Street at the Ulster Bank.

The combined projects were part-funded by a €3,000 Community Enhancement grant, while Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District paid for the balance, and the ground and installation works.

Buying locally and supporting Wexford jobs is a top priority, so they were manufactured by Kent Stainless in Wexford town.

400 trees were distributed as part of Gorey 400 Trees project and these were then planted by householders across North Wexford. The recipients signed up to take either a Birch, Mountain Ash, Apple (eater or cooker), or Native Oak (for larger areas). Cliona Connolly of the environment section at Wexford County Council sorted the trees, and Gorey-Kilmuckridge district office staff also worked on these projects.

The Gorey 400 Trees project is regarded as an appropriate way to get the wider public to take action to improve biodiversity and to combat climate change by helping reduce carbon emissions.

Also, Kate Kos unveiled her new mural at the Civic Square. It highlights the scenic beauty of North Wexford’s beaches. This work was made possible thanks to a community enhancement grant.