Galway City Council is delighted to announce that Bóithrín na Saoirse, the City’s new Traveller Specific Group Housing Scheme on Circular Road, has been shortlisted for two categories at the Irish Building and Design Awards 2026:
- Residential Housing Project of the Year
- Small Project of the Year
Bóithrín na Saoirse replaced a long-standing 1988 halting site with five permanent, modern, energy‑efficient homes designed specifically for Traveller families. These were designed in close collaboration with the resident families and CENA, the Traveller‑led Approved Housing Body. The project represents a transformative move towards traveller specific and community‑centred Traveller accommodation, reflecting national best practice in public‑sector housing delivery.
The Irish Building and Design awards celebrate the best in architecture, engineering, construction, design, innovation and the future of the Irish Built Environment. The winners of the Irish Building and Design Awards 2026 will be announced on Friday 13 March at the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, welcomed the shortlist, “As someone from this local area, I’m especially proud to see Bóithrín na Saoirse shortlisted for two Irish Building and Design Awards. Being shortlisted is an important acknowledgement of what the scheme aims to achieve which is providing high‑quality, traveller specific homes that give families the foundation to thrive. It’s heartening to see a project rooted in our own community receive national recognition, and it reinforces the value of inclusive, community‑led housing in shaping Galway’s future.”
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council, also welcomed the announcement, “This is the first development of its kind in Galway City, and its recognition on the national stage highlights the value of working in partnership with families and the Traveller community. Bóithrín na Saoirse provides a meaningful model for the future - one that respects identity, culture, and community while delivering high‑quality, sustainable homes.”
Designed by deSiún Architects and constructed by Pat Loftus Construction Group, the project aims to demonstrate how Traveller‑specific homes can be sensitively integrated into a suburban setting while strengthening community connections. The design seeks to make a positive contribution to the wider neighbourhood by opening the site to the adjacent public green space and removing former physical barriers, reflecting an ambition to promote visibility, inclusion, and a stronger sense of place. The semi‑circular arrangement of the homes around a shared green is intended to encourage cohesion among residents while drawing inspiration from traditional Traveller spatial layouts.
The scheme also aims to set a high standard in sustainability, accessibility, and long‑term estate management, with universal design principles incorporated throughout. Its collaborative development process is intended to support long‑term satisfaction, stability, and improved quality‑of‑life outcomes for the resident families. Galway City Council and CENA hope the project can inform future approaches to Traveller specific accommodation and contribute to national discussions on inclusive public housing delivery.
Bóithrín na Saoirse was officially opened by Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Alan Cheevers, and Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, former Galway West TD and Deputy Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community in November 2025.
