What we do

It all began with an informal group of local business owners…

Courtown Harbour has been a holiday destination since the railway first arrived in the nearby market town of Gorey. Generations of Dubliners have made the annual trip "down to the Sunny South East," and Courtown became synonymous with sunshine, 99s, yellow sands and the glittering sea.

Over the years, the Council was formed by local business owners who wanted to ensure that these families would keep returning every summer, and also to make sure Courtown continued to be a wonderful place to live year round.

Things were simpler in the earlier years. Today the challenges have grown to include guarding against overdevelopment and dealing with the effects of the climate crisis - including the coastal erosion that has seen much of those yellow sands disappear. Today Courtown competes with Ryanair flying off to sunnier climes rather than another village further down the coast. Today's visitor is looking for quality experiences, great food, culture and a chance to relax in nature. A far cry from those that were fondly called "the bucket and spade brigade" back in the 1970s or the "bathers" in the 1950s and 60s.

The community needs more resources and support with facilities for our teenagers, elderly, and those suffering hardship caused by the cost-of-living crisis. The role and demands on the Development Group have changed considerably over the decades.

In 2021, abiding by new legislation, the Charities Regulator required all charities to adopt the Charities Regulatory Governance Code in order to maintain their charitable status. What this essentially means is fundraising, grant applications, volunteer placements - all fully compliant and above board, allowing us to draw down funding from a variety of sources both national and European. All charities are now required to meet the comprehensive new Governance Laws set out by the Charities Regulator. Behind the scenes, our team has worked diligently to ensure CRCDG's compliance with the Charity Regulator's Governance Code.

In the public realm we've also been working on local environmental projects, community development, and community health and safety, and communicating with local stakeholders to provide opportunities for the people, environment, culture and economy in Courtown to thrive throughout the coming years.

We have won numerous awards recognising our commitment to restoring the biodiversity in the natural areas surrounding the village. We have hosted Tourism Ireland as they research and develop international tourism in Wexford, with the new ferry routes from Rosslare Europort to France and Spain. And we will continue to work as a voice for the community and a resource for those that need us.

Key projects

  • Courtown Pier Enhancement Works - funded by the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.

  • Community Coin-Operated Telescope - in partnership with SSE Arklow.

  • Courtown–Kiltennel Walking Trail - under the Wexford Walking Trail Initiative.

  • Riverchapel to Courtown Linked Walkway - Town & Village Renewal Scheme.

  • Completion of the Gorey–Courtown Footpath - supported by the Active Travel Programme.

  • Smart Village Community Strategy - facilitated by Wexford Local Development (WLD), which led to the establishment of the Courtown Regeneration Partnership working group.

  • Courtown–Riverchapel Circular Economy Plan — funded by the Community Foundation of Ireland.

  • Development of the courtown.org website.

Awards & recognition

Keep Wexford Beautiful Awards - award winners for 3 consecutive years, including "Best Community Coastal Management Initiative".

Gorey Awards 2024 - shortlisted for Charity of the Year.

Clean Coasts - shortlisted for the Nature Guardian Award 2025.

Collaborating stakeholders

Wexford County Council, Wexford Walking Trails, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Coillte, An Taisce, Pobal, Coastwatch.org, Clean Coasts, GoWexford.ie, North Wexford Historical Society / Courtown Heritage Group, Kate Kos (local artist), Bat Conservation Ireland, Seal Rescue Ireland, SSE Renewables, Town Centre First Programme, Meals on Wheels Gorey & Courtown, Garda Síochána, Irish Coast Guard, Tús Scheme, Birds Ireland, LAWPRO

Make it stand out.

Group of children and adults outdoors during daytime, some raising their hands, with a man in a high-visibility vest leading an activity near bushes and trees.
Seven people wearing orange safety vests standing in front of police and emergency vehicles on a seaside promenade with a ship's mast and ocean in the background.
Group of people wearing yellow safety vests planting trees or shrubs outdoors on a sunny day.
Four women sitting around a table with maps and books, smiling for a photo inside a cafe or restaurant.
Group of eleven professionals, eight men and three women, posing indoors for a photo. The men are mostly standing in the back row, while the women are seated in the front. They are dressed in business casual attire.
Two people, a woman with glasses and a man, planting a young tree in a grassy field on a sunny day, with other volunteers in the background.

Be part of it

Everything CRCDG does runs on volunteer time and community support. Lend a hand, or support our work.

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