2020 will see Galway set for €45m windfall

Galway is set to be on the receiving end of a €45 million windfall to prepare the city and county for its tenure as the European Capital of Culture in 2020.

That’s according to Galway Government backbencher Hildegarde Naughten, who urged that the development of a world-class convention centre in the city should be a priority in advance of Galway’s reign.

With 2020 expected to attract an additional one million tourists to the city, Deputy Naughton pinpointed the convention centre as an infrastructural priority, which she claims would be an ideal legacy of the Capital of Culture year.

“Something that we’re missing in Galway is a large-scale concert and convention centre, evidenced by the fact that the largest such facility in the west is located in Co Mayo,” she said.

“We have an opportunity to address that deficit now, and an iconic convention centre would be a fantastic legacy from Galway’s year as the European Capital of Culture.”

Such a centre could be developed as part of a new cultural quarter on council lands adjacent to the Black Box theatre on the Dyke Road, where a €25-million library and cultural centre is already planned, she said.

“The possibilities for such an amenity are clear,” continued Deputy Naughton. “The fact that the Galway International Arts Festival requires a temporary arena in the form of the Big Top each year suggests that something is missing here.

“Aside from the potential for its use as a concert venue; conferences and conventions constitute a high-value sector where there is a significant demand at present.

“The economic value of a conference delegate is two to three times higher than a leisure tourist, and there is a multitude of professions and industries that would love to hold conventions in Galway if an appropriate venue was available.

“The development of a concert and convention centre as part of the 2020 preparations, therefore, should be viewed as an investment rather than an expense.

“It would be a great addition from the perspective of the arts, tourism and industry; and would be a lasting and iconic legacy from this historic celebration of Galway’s excellence as a Capital of Culture,” she added.