‘Look to Wexford’ Campaign Launched to Showcase County as Hub for Innovation, Culture and Opportunity

The new “Look to Wexford” initiative was officially unveiled at a special event at the New Bay House Hotel, bringing together business leaders, cultural figures and community representatives from across the county.

The campaign aims to highlight Wexford’s growing reputation in sectors including med tech, financial services, green energy, tourism and the arts, while also encouraging investment and supporting local enterprise.

Among the guest speakers at the launch were former international rugby player Gordon D’Arcy, Colm Blake of Zurich Insurance and Suzanne Nance, Executive Director of Wexford Festival Opera.

Wexford native and former Irish rugby international Gordon D’Arcy said supporting the campaign was a natural fit because of his strong connection to the county.

“I grew up here, born and bred between Enniscorthy and Wexford town, so even though I lived in Dublin, I would always count myself as a Wexford man,” he said.

D’Arcy praised the work being done through Wexford Chamber and said the county has enormous potential if it continues investing in quality of life and community development.

“I think the first thing is we’ve got to look after the people who are already here,” he explained.

“We’ve got to make Wexford a cool place to live. Not that it isn’t a good place to live already, but it can be even better.”

Suzanne Nance, Executive Director of Wexford Festival Opera, said Wexford’s internationally recognised arts scene plays a major role in shaping the county’s identity and economic future.

“Wexford’s arts and cultural scene is globally known,” she said.

She pointed to the success of Wexford Festival Opera since its foundation in 1951, along with institutions such as the National Opera House and Wexford Arts Centre, as examples of the county’s longstanding creative ambition.

“The world took notice of Wexford because of its creativity and innovation,” she said.

Nance described Wexford as “the window to the world and the window back in,” adding that the county now has an opportunity to tell a unified story about its creativity, innovation and ambition.

“I really believe this is the time to do it,” she added.

Colm Blake of Zurich Insurance described the launch as “a hugely positive day” for the county, with strong support from businesses across Wexford.

“Business people from all over the county are coming together to get behind this campaign,” he said.

Blake said businesses of all sizes now have an opportunity to promote Wexford through their own industries and networks.

“There are already 22 multinationals operating in County Wexford,” he noted.

“Companies only need to look at the quality of the workforce, the education system and the talent that’s already here.”

He said campaigns like “Look to Wexford” can act as a “calling card” for future investment and help encourage people who left the county for education or employment to return home.

The “Look to Wexford” campaign is being driven through Wexford Chamber with support from local stakeholders and LEADER funding.

Organisers say the initiative is about more than attracting investment — it is also about celebrating the people, businesses and communities already shaping the county’s future.

With growing international attention, strong cultural foundations and a collaborative business community, supporters of the campaign believe Wexford is entering an exciting new chapter.