Wexford County Council has acquired St. Waleran’s House and 75 acres of adjoining zoned lands at Ballytegan, Gorey.
Confirming details of the deal to WexfordToday.com Tom Enright, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, confirmed that the acquisition of the site will allow for the provision of much-needed affordable, social, and private housing, together with a range of community / amenity and educational facilities to meet the growing demand in the North Wexford area.
Mr. Enright acknowledged the work of his senior officials in negotiating and finalising the purchase, stating that the Council will now progress the preparation of a master plan for the future development of the extensive and strategically located site.
The 75 acres of lands which are contained in five different land folios currently have a range of land zoning uses including residential, community and education, open space, leisure and amenity and strategic reserve.
“I want to congratulate our staff on securing this highly strategic development site” said Mr. Enright. “The acquisition of these lands and their development over the next number of years is a game-changer in our efforts to secure the provision of much-needed facilities within the thriving and rapidly expanding area of North Wexford”, he added.
Minister Michael D’Arcy T.D. also welcomed the news. “I am delighted that Wexford County Council had shown such leadership in acquiring this major development site in Gorey which has the potential to provide a range of ambitious new public facilities for North Wexford, said Minister D’Arcy, who added; “I look forward to working closely with the Council in supporting and securing the funding that will be required for the future development of this site and to ensure the realisation of its full potential over the coming years.”

HISTORY OF ST. WALERAN’S HOUSE
The original building situated in Ballytegan dates before 1824 when it was first occupied by Colonel Loftus Owen.
Renowned Dublin based architect John McGurdy redesigned and modernised the house for Isabella (née Newcombe) and Lieutenant General John Christopher Guise in 1868.

ST WALERAN’S went up in flames on June 11th 2018. File Pic; WexfordToday.com

Isabella leased St Waleran’s and surrounding land to Patrick Walsh in 1901, after the death of her husband Major Guise in 1895, and then to Eliza Valentine in 1911. Other occupants included District Justice John Fahy, Patsy McCartan, Molloy’s and Gorey Educate Together.
St Waleran’s House was reconstructed for Lieutenant General John Christopher Guise by architect John McGurdy of Leinster Street, Dublin.
Major Guise was a British Army officer and English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Major Guise won a Victoria Cross saving a captain with the aid of a Sergeant Samuel Hill during the Indian Mutiny, specifically at Secundra Bagh Palace Lucknow, India.
He died in February 1895, aged 68, there is a memorial to his memory in Christ Church, Gorey, and he is interred in the adjoining graveyard.
After his death, his wife Isabella leased St Waleran’s House and surrounding lands to Patrick Walsh in 1901, followed by Eliza Valentine in 1911.
It was recorded in the early 1900s in the Census that there was a total of 27 windows in St Waleran’s. Many of the windows were sealed up with concrete by Isabella due to ‘window tax’.
In the 1940s, District Justice John Fahy and his wife moved into St Waleran’s. Mrs Fahy passed away in 1946.’
Afterwards Patsy McCartan moved into the house where he had a thriving timber business.
After McCartan’s time in St Waleran’s, the Molloy Printing Group moved into the premises. They had a contract with Calor Gas where they spray painted and designed majority of their gas products.
Molloy’s sold the premises for €5 million in 2006 to Damien Stapleton, who leased it to Gorey Educate Together.
The school vacated the premises in 2008 when they moved to Kilnahue Lane, off the Carnew Road.
St Waleran’s House was vacant when it was destroyed by an outbreak of fire in June 11th 2018, leaving nothing but a shell.