In a saga that has been underway for years, permission was finally granted for Enniscorthy’s empty former Bank of Ireland building at 13 Castle Street to be developed into a casino venue. This was after a previous An Bord Plana ruling was overturned that blocked the development in 2023, following its sale for less than half a million euro the year prior.
This means that the building will be in use for the first time in more than a decade and brings a new presence to Wexford’s second-largest town. Given recent concerns about the state of Ireland’s high streets and the increasing number of empty units appearing even in the capital, it marks a welcome bit of development.
With a population of just 12,000, though, will this make Enniscorthy a part of Ireland with the most casinos per capita? And that begs the question, could this become a focus for Wexford as Dublin increasingly looks like it’s pricing tourists out of visiting? Could Wexford use casino venues and its positioning in the Ancient East to attract a new kind of tourism to the area?
The Casino is an Industry in Rude Health in Ireland and Abroad
It’s safe to say that casino gaming has never been as popular as it is today. The introduction of the online casino in the mid-to-late-90s helped usher in something of a renaissance. Where casinos were once merely a dream for many outside big cities, they have now become accessible from the comfort of home.
From humble beginnings of sites with a handful of slots and maybe some poker, online casinos grew into titans of entertainment. Additionally, the introduction and development of live video technology meant that online sites could stream games managed by real-life dealers. For example, at this live casino for Irish players, there are live-streamed roulette, blackjack, and poker available.
This has meant that more people than ever are engaging with classic games. Because of that, the demand for venues that offer this kind of gaming has been increasing. The other element that has been increasing is revenues. In 2025, gross gaming revenue in Ireland is expected to reach just under US$4 billion (€3.65 billion) according to the latest data.
A Casino Market Yet to be Captured by Dublin, Cork, and Galway
What presents a real opportunity for Wexford is the sheer dearth of good gaming venues in the country. The capital is obviously the island’s de facto nightlife destination, as well as where the majority of music acts, comedians, and travelling theatre companies touch down. On top of that, it has the biggest sporting venues in Croke Park and the Aviva, meaning all national finals and international events happen there.
As such, it leaves the rest of the country with the job of finding its own niche within Irish culture. Cork has its place as the Rebel County, and Galway’s nailed the quaint approach to pub culture. Kilkenny has its comedy festival. Obviously, Wexford has always been famous for its historic significance and natural beauty, but this latest development could highlight a gap in the market that the county could exploit.
Even in Dublin, casinos are not a common occurrence. Compare this to the UK, where most major cities have a supercasino as part of their entertainment complexes, and it’s obvious that Ireland is behind its nearby neighbour. If the Enniscorthy venue gets the basics right and offers something a little different for the people of Wexford, it could inspire a cultural shift to a more upmarket style of adult entertainment in the county.
A Welcome Addition to a Small Market in the County
Ultimately, the addition of one casino is unlikely to be particularly groundbreaking. Wexford town is home to a couple of venues. However, the introduction of a venue in a historic building within one of the county’s other towns could help foster more of a gaming community.
Time will tell if this is the start of a revolution in gaming. What’s clear, though, is this is a much-needed injection of life into a high street building that has seen no life for more than a decade. At the very least, that is something that should be celebrated.
Wexford Weekly
This article was published by a member of the Wexford Weekly team.
