Gorey Market House Set To Reopen To The Public in 2028

The Gorey Market House will be as iconic as the GPO is to Dublin when the regeneration works are finished.

That's the view of the Director of Services at Wexford County Council Liz Hore.

The sod was turned on the project by the Minister for Housing James Browne on Friday with the building set to be opened to the public in March 2028.

Ms Hore says this will be a space for everyone in the town:

"The people of Gorey, to them, the Market House is what the GPO is to the people of Dublin and they have been a key partner.

"We did extensive consultation and now we will see the revitalisation and regeneration of this beautiful heritage building for the future as a multi purpose space."

Outdoor markets are set to return to the area as part of the development.

The building has been lying empty since 2012 having previously served as a prison, community hub and council chambers.

Regeneration works are now underway thanks to a 7 million euro investment from EU funding.

Ms Hore says they want the building to live up to its name:

"It'll be used for the arts but traditionally, it was also used as a market space so we'll be creating an outdoor courtyard.

"That'll be used for markets, outdoor events, for the arts and really the whole principle of this is inclusion."

It's hoped the Gorey Market House will be back open to the public inside the next two years.

Around 9 million euro will be spent to get the iconic building back into use after falling into disrepair 14 years ago.

Ms Hore says the work has started and the clock is ticking:

"Because we have EU funding, we are under pressure with our deadlines but we will have this building open in March 2028.

"We'll be inviting the whole community to come and join us in a great celebration then."

That report was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.