Councillors write in support of new Islamic Cultural hub in Enniscorthy

Planning permission has been submitted for a new Islamic Cultural hub in Enniscorthy…

The application was made to Wexford County Council by Syed Hossen on September 2nd 2025. The final date for third party submissions and observations is October 6th 2025.

The planning permission proposal from Hossen is for “permission for the construction of new two storey Islamic cultural centre, modified site entrance and new pedestrian entrance and all associated site works.”

The site site is located on The Ross Road, immediately opposite the Meadowlands Housing Development.

“The uses would include a Prayer Hall at the ground floor which would be multifunctional space with capacity for other community activities and with the capability of subdivision. The entrance hall, toilets and ablution areas would fill the balance of the ground floor area. At the upper floor, there is also a large multi purpose space which is sub-devisable for various activities including, meetings, education, exercise, lectures ,workshops and arts,” a justification letter by Halley Murphy & Associates reads.

The justification letter also notes that the operating hours will be from 10am to 10pm, highlighting that there will be no noise impacts outside the building and no ‘calling to prayer’ either.

“The biggest anticipated occupancy would be perhaps 80 people at Prayers which occurs once a week at lunch hour. Otherwise normal occupancy would vary from 10 & 20 people at a time,” a planning justification letter continues.

The justification letter also notes that there are “similar cultural centres at Dublin, Killarney and Tralee in County Kerry.”

Some Enniscorthy Councillors and local politicians have written to the Wexford County Council in support of the application. It includes a written and signed letter from John O’Rourke and also Cllr Pat Kehoe.

O’Rourke supports the idea of an Islamic Cultural hub in Enniscorthy and believes the whole community could benefit from it:

“The committe exercising its powers of their own constitution envisage that their place of worship will be open to all members of the community in the future to host meetings, events etc,” O’Rourke’s written letter of support reads.

Meanwhile, Pat Kehoe has also written to Wexford County Council. He noted that the Islamic community in Wexford are already practicing – and that their reason for the application is due to their expansion in the area:

“The Islamic community in Enniscorthy are a long-established group which currently have their place of worship in a rented space at Enniscorthy showgrounds, and due to their expansion, are looking to construct their own space,” Pat Kehoe’s letter of support reads.

Senator Cathal Byrne, a local of Enniscorthy and a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel has also expressed his support, in a signed letter to the Council which reads:

“I write in support of the planning application of the Enniscorthy Islamic Cultural Centre to construct a place of worship on the Ross Road in Enniscorthy. The Islamic community in Enniscorthy are important members of the local community and I feel it is important that they would have a permanent place of worship for all community members,” it reads.