Galway City Council will hold a Special Meeting on the local authority’s new civic offices, at Crown Square on the Monivea Road on Monday 14 July. At the meeting, Council officials will reaffirm that Crown Square remains the most cost-effective solution to house staff numbers in Galway City Council – including future recruitment to deliver high priority projects crucial for the long-term development and sustainability of Galway City.
On the morning of Special Meeting on Monday 14 July, local media are invited to tour the new civic offices - where a tender for fit out has recently gone to market, to deliver a highly energy efficient building to provide services to the people of Galway City. The building will feature modern meeting and public engagement facilities, including upgraded AV systems, better public access, and improved space for staff and civic events.
The need for new civic offices was identified in a Local Government Audit Service 2017 Value for Money Report, which found that City Hall was over-capacity compared to other local authorities, at 2017 staffing levels - which have since increased
A full assessment of long-term office needs led to the decision to purchase a move-in-ready space at Crown Square, seen as the quickest and most economical option.
The move avoids a combined estimated cost of €107 million by consolidating four existing office sites into one. Refurbishing and expanding the current City Hall on College Road—which is no longer fit for purpose—was projected to cost €69 million. In addition, a further €38 million would have been required to temporarily relocate staff to suitable office space during the works.
A public information campaign is planned ahead of the 2026 move, alongside ongoing staff and union engagement.
