• Christmas Tree shredding - dates & locations.
• Reminder of deadlines for the following funding/support initiatives: "The Hare's Corner" Initiative; The Heritage Stewardship Fund (HSF); Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) Community Water Development Fund 2026; and The Heritage Organisations Support Fund (HOSF).
• Congratulations to Wexford Town Sustainable Energy Community (SEC), winners of a prestigious SEAI Award; and to local woman, Cheryl Poole, winner of the 8th edition of the Innovation Award for Women Farmers.

Wexford County Council will again be arranging for the FREE shredding of Christmas trees at the below locations throughout the County.

If only bringing a Christmas tree for shredding to Wexford County Council’s four household recycling centres, there is no entry charge. €2.50 entry charge applies for all other waste accepted at Wexford County Council’s four household recycling centres.

Wexford County Council four Household Recycling Centre locations:

• Enniscorthy Household Recycling Centre, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy
• Gorey Household Recycling Centre, Gorey Business Park, Ramstown, Gorey
• New Ross Household Recycling Centre, Hewittsland, New Ross
• Holmestown Household Recycling Centre, Barntown, Wexford

Please Note: Christmas trees can only be left on the dates below:

Friday, 2nd January to Saturday, 3rd January, 2026 and Tuesday, 6th January to Saturday, 10th January, 2026.

Opening Times:

• Open Tuesday - Friday:   8.15am  - 12noon & 1pm - 4pm
• Open Saturday:               8.15am - 12noon & 1pm - 3pm
• Closed for lunch:             12 noon - 1 pm
• Closed:                            Sundays and Mondays

Additional Locations:

• Redmond Park, Wexford: Friday, 2nd January to Saturday, 10th January, 2026          Opening Times:  Monday - Sunday (9am - 5pm)

• Rosslare Harbour / Kilrane Sports & Social Centre, Ballyknocknen, St. Brendan’s Estate, Rosslare Harbour:  Friday,  2nd January to Saturday, 10th January, 2026. Opening Times: Monday - Sunday (9am - 5pm)

• Bunclody AFC, Sliabh Ros, Bunclody: Friday, 2nd January to Saturday, 10th January, 2026. Opening Times: Monday - Saturday (9am - 6pm)

          For further information please contact the Environment Section,
Wexford County Council on 053 919 6000.

The Hare's Corner Biodiversity Inititative

Closing Date for Applications: Sunday, 18th January, 2026 at 11.30pm

IThe Hare’s Corner project offers landowners (private landowners, farmers, schools/community groups) ‘hassle free’ support to carry out simple but impactful actions for biodiversity such as creation of a wildlife pond, native mini-woodland, heritage mini-orchard, wildlife hedge, or bespoke ‘plan for nature’. This support is offered in the form of materials (native trees and heritage apple trees), micro-funding (e.g. machinery costs for pond digging), and specialist advice and guidance.  

Places will be limited and preference is given to community groups and schools, though to avoid double-funding, farmers who are ACRES or NPWS Farm Plan Scheme participants are currently not eligible to apply.

Further information available at: https://theharescorner.ie

The Hare’s Corner Project contact in Wexford: Claire Goodwin, Biodiversity Officer

Email Claire at:  biodiversity@wexfordcoco.ie

Heritage Stewardship Fund

Closing Date for Applications: Monday, 19th January, 2026 at 5pm

The Heritage Stewardship Fund provides financial support for staff in local authorities, state agencies and educational institutions with responsibility for heritage programmes.

The scheme’s primary target is staff working in public sector organisations whose core remit may not be fully focused on heritage, but whose work has an impact on heritage.

A full overview of eligibility criteria and other relevant details are available from the Heritage Council’s website: https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/funding/heritage-stewardship-scheme-2

Applications must be made via the Heritage Council’s online grants management system: https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/funding/on-line-grants-system

Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) Community Water Development Fund 2026

Closing Date for Applications: Tuesday, 20th January 2026 at 11.30pm

This fund is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and administered by LAWPRO. It supports community groups to enhance the quality of local streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. 

How to Apply: Applications can be made online via at www.lawaters.ie/cwdf

If you would like to discuss project ideas or need guidance with your application, groups across Carlow and Wexford are welcome to contact Mr. David Rafter, LAWPRO Community Water Officer at drafter@lawaters.ie

A recording of CWDF 2026 Information Webinar is available on at: https://lawaters.ie/cwdf/

Heritage Organisation Support Fund

Closing Date for Applications: Monday, 26th January, 2026 at 5pm

The Heritage Organisation Support Fund (HOSF) provides financial support to not-for-profit NGOs working in the heritage sector.

The Heritage Council scheme enables heritage-focused organisations to fund staff salaries, rent costs, the hiring of new staff, training and skills development and piloting new ways of working. The maximum amount available per organisation is €50,000.

A full overview of eligibility criteria and other relevant details are available from the Heritage Council’s website: https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/funding/heritage_orgs-fund

Applications must be made via the Heritage Council’s online grants management system: https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/funding/on-line-grants-system

Congratulations to Wexford Town Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) who won the  Inspirational Sustainable Energy Community Award at the SEAI Energy Awards 2025.

The Awards recognise and reward excellence in all aspects of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Covering 10 categories in 2025, the competition was open to organisations in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The prestigious award won by Wexford Town SEC recognises the inspirational efforts of teams behind an SEC that go beyond the norm through a combination of ambition, passion and commitment. 

Wexford Town SEC’s mission is to reduce energy usage and reliance on fossil fuels, through a just transition to increase energy efficiency and sustainable energy sources. This is being achieved by raising awareness, empowering local communities and direct actions in Wexford Town.

Click here to learn more about the remarkable and innovative projects of the SEAI Energy Award Winners 2025.