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Ringwood Lane resurfacing project completed as a result of successful ORIS grant application

Wexford Local Development was delighted to collaborate with the Enniscorthy Community Alliance on a successful application to the Department of Rural & Community Development and the Gaeltacht for grant aid through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). The grant, approved in August 2025, provided funding to resurface Ringwood Lane at St John’s, outside Enniscorthy, significantly improving access to the popular Ringwood Forest Trail.
The project was administered by Georgina Gaul, Rural Recreation Officer at Wexford Local Development, and supported by Wexford County Council’s Enniscorthy Municipal District which provided €4,500 towards the cost, demonstrating a strong partnership approach and a real team effort at local level.
The works carried out at Ringwood Lane form part of a series of planned steps aimed at linking key pieces of outdoor recreational infrastructure, offering users greater opportunity, improved connectivity, and enhanced access across the wider area.
Outdoor recreation plays a vital role in supporting health and wellbeing, and projects such as this improve accessibility for everyone to enjoy time outdoors in a beautiful, unspoilt natural environment. By connecting with nature, we all become custodians of our natural surroundings — spending time outdoors truly is a win for all.
Crucially, the Ringwood project would not have been possible without the ongoing support of local landowners, Mary Keogh and Phonsey Keogh of St John’s, who kindly gave permission for their lane to be used as access to the trail. Frank from Slaney News and Georgina were delighted to visit sprightly 95-year-old Mary in her nearby bungalow and wander through her garden admiring the bluebells for which Ringwood is well known. Mary is a trained chef and confectioner and her bungalow was one of the first B&B’s in Co. Wexford, and once featured in the Bridgestone Guide top 100 places to stay in Ireland.
Main photo: L-R: Landowner Phonsey Keogh, Peter O’Connor (Wexford Walking Trails), Tom Bermingham (Wexford Local Development), Georgina Gaul (Wexford Local Development), Dervla Tierney (Wexford Local Development), Cllr John O’Rourke, Cllr Aidan Browne, Claire Lawless (Enniscorthy Municipal District Manager), Brian Kehoe (Wexford Local Development).