Captain Wafer Hall in Templeshannon has officially reopened as a vibrant community venue and eco hub following a major restoration project supported by €98,000 in government funding…
Enniscorthy Community Alliance (ECA) hosted the official reopening ceremony on Monday, October 12, with Minister James Browne in attendance to deliver the main address and perform the official ministerial launch on behalf of Minister Dara Calleary.
The historic hall, originally built by local volunteers in the 1950s, served as the heart of the Templeshannon community for decades before standing vacant for more than two years and remaining inactive as a community space for over 15 years.
Its revitalisation was made possible through funding from the Community Recognition Fund 2024, awarded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Known locally as “The Hut”, the renewed facility will operate as a versatile community venue and the Spring Valley Community Eco Hub. It will support local group rentals, training, circular economy workshops, household energy advice and community integration.
Official Reopening Ceremony
Following morning refreshments, the official proceedings began with a welcome address from Cllr Lisa McDonald, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council.
Cllr Pat Kehoe, Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, also addressed attendees, highlighting the local significance of returning the landmark building to active community use.
Eddie Taaffe, Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, outlined the vital role of the local authority in supporting Enniscorthy’s ongoing regeneration efforts.
Dr Irene Cadogan, Director of Enniscorthy Community Alliance, then presented an overview of the restoration project, explaining the vision for the hall as an inclusive space for education, sustainability and social connection.
“While the major work is complete, keeping the lights and heating on remains a challenge—especially now. We are committed to keeping rental costs as low as possible so that the hall remains accessible to everyone in our community, so please keep us in mind if you ever have a few spare euro to contribute,” said Dr Cadogan.
The highlight of the morning came when Minister James Browne formally declared Captain Wafer Hall reopened on behalf of Minister Dara Calleary and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. The ceremony concluded with official photographs and networking over light refreshments.
A Sustainable Future for the Community
Since its soft launch in recent months, Captain Wafer Hall has already hosted a range of activities, including yoga classes, sewing workshops, sustainability events, choir practices and local group meetings.
Future plans for the hall include replacing the roof and installing solar panels, helping to advance local decarbonisation efforts and improve energy independence.
The renewed facility is expected to play an important role in supporting community activities, promoting sustainability and providing an accessible space for people across Enniscorthy to come together.
Jason Redmond
From Gorey, Jason is the owner of Wexford Weekly. He is also a post-primary English and History teacher.
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