Wexford County Council is finalising a deal to purchase the showgrounds in Gorey as a public amenity - more than five years after an attempt to rezone the 11-acre site for development was rescinded.
Formerly the venue of the Gorey Agricultural Show, the land was given to the townspeople by the Land Commission in 1937 for sporting and recreational uses and is most closely associated with the local soccer team, Gorey Rangers.
In late 2001, however, two local councillors - Lorcan Allen (FF) and Michael D'Arcy (FG) - proposed that the showgrounds be rezoned from recreational to mixed use. Though they were both trustees for the land, they denied any conflict of interest.
The council's decision was very controversial, with a large crowd attending a public meeting organised by councillor Malcolm Byrne (FF), then chairman of Gorey Town Council, a march down the Main Street and a petition signed by more than 5,000 people.
The strength of opposition prompted councillors to rescind the proposed rezoning. Subsequently, Gorey Rangers suggested the council should purchase the site and the council is now finalising the deal. It may be combined with the adjacent town park to provide a more developed recreational area.