Galway City Council is welcoming the announcement by the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, of over €15m in funding for Galway City under the under the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund. Five applications from Galway City Council have been awarded funding under this new scheme, which replaces the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and is to support urban regeneration projects and the development of sustainable communities.
Two landmark projects for Galway, which will transform the city centre and Knocknacarra areas, will progress towards through the detailed design stages and onto construction after both were awarded separate funding allocations of €7.5m each.
An Tús Kingston Park is a landmark public realm project that is part of the recently approved (by An Coimisiún Pleanála) Kingston & Millers Lane Public Parks & Public Urban Realm Project. An Tús Kingston will begin the delivery of a transformative community amenity which will address existing deficits in community, recreational and amenity infrastructure within the Knocknacarra area. The funding approved will deliver this first phase of the project, which, when completed, will provide the northern part of the New Kingston Park which will be a high-quality, accessible facility catering for a catchment area of approx. 14,000 people. The funding of this phase will include a new 4G synthetic pitch, Rounders pitch, Cricket Batting Cage, new changing facilities, Safe Routes to School a Greenway, public spaces and amenities, Planting and Outdoor Classroom & Amphitheatre and other associate works.
Works at Ceannt - Augustine Hill will establish the objective of extending Galway city centre eastwards through over 5,500m2 of enhanced public realm, incorporating improved accessibility and a significantly upgraded transport arrival experience at the newly redeveloped Ceannt Station. This also supports the creation of a new community within the heart of Galway city centre through the Augustine Hill Masterplan which will utilise an 8.5-acre brownfield site to the south of Ceannt Station to include residential, culture, retail, leisure, office and transport developments. The Public Realm project will link key developments including the recently developed Ceannt Station, Augustine Hill and Bonham Quay. The project represents a partnership between Galway City Council, Iarnród Eireann and Augustine Hill representatives.
Construction of both funding approved projects is on track to begin by September 2027.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has also granted three funding allocations of €150,000 each to progress strategic plans and preparatory works for three other areas within Galway City.
Murrough, located on Galway City’s eastern seaboard, is a strategically located regeneration opportunity on approximately 24.3 hectares of land. Funding allocated to the Murrough Coastal Protection and Esplanade is key to unlocking the potential for significant and sustainable housing development at this existing greenfield site. The funding, which is supported by funding from Galway City Council, and being progress in co-operation with Atlantic Technological University, will allow this proposal to be progress to the Preliminary Design stage, and will support the development of a coherent proposal and detailed plan to develop a promenade / esplanade, active travel network and wider infrastructure as part of an integrated vision for a new transport oriented coastal neighbourhood.
The City Centre Delivery Strategy is intended to redesign how deliveries operate in Galway’s historic core. The aim is to meet the commercial needs of businesses and residents while making the city centre safer, more pedestrian-friendly, and better suited to sustainable travel. The study is also intended to align with future traffic changes linked to BusConnects Galway: Cross-City Link and to support further pedestrianisation and improved movement across the city centre as identified in Galway City Council’s Public Realm Strategy.
Funding for the West of Galway City Movement Study is also directly linked to existing and emerging planning work and will support a strategic approach to developing an area-wide movement framework. This will support public realm improvements while balancing the access needs of pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, servicing, emergency vehicles and private cars. The study area encompasses, and will examine the interfaces between, the Thrive West Area Plan, the Cross Street Rejuvenation Project area, the Lombard Street Rejuvenation study area, and the wider routes, junctions, bridges, lanes and public spaces that connect these areas to each other, to the pedestrian core and to Nuns Island.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Helen Ogbu says the funding will help to deliver projects which will make a tangible and positive difference to the city. “This is a significant funding announcement for Galway, and it will help Galway City Council to deliver key projects for the city, both in the short- and longer-term. It represents an endorsement of the Council’s ambition to deliver new and enhanced amenities throughout our city. I welcome this support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and look forward to seeing these projects coming to fruition in the coming years.”
Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary has welcomed news of the funding for Galway City. “The announcement of almost €15.5m for five projects across Galway is most welcome, and I wish to thank Minister Browne and his team for this vote of confidence in Galway City Council.”
“At both Augustine Hill and Kingston Park, construction works are on track to begin within the next year to allow for two transformational projects to be progressed – one which will re-shape our city centre, and another which will deliver the benefits of enhanced sporting facilities to thousands of people in the Knocknacarra area, both now and into the future.”
“In addition, the funding which has also been announced for the development of three strategies and plans is also important. This work will inform future strategic decisions at each of these locations and position Galway City Council to successfully apply for funding and secure planning permission for further works that will positively shape the lives of people who live, visit and work here.”
The government has announced €409m in funding as part of the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund programme for almost 120 projects across every local authority in the State. While replacing the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), this new fund will continue to support urban regeneration projects and the development of sustainable communities through the provision of part-funding for applicant-led projects. In doing so, it will significantly contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and other large towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan. Further details are available from https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/press-releases/minister-james-browne-announces-landmark-boost-of-409-million-in-towns-and-cities-regeneration-investment-fund/