300 new homes to be built in the city

Galway-based development company, O’Malley Construction, is planning to build 300 new homes on a recently-purchased landbank on the western side of the city.

Work has begun on the first phase of Maolchnoc (meaning round topped hill), which will eventually comprise a total of 242 homes on a 15-acre site opposite Fana Buí on the Upper Ballymoneen Road in Knocknacarra.

Part of the overall 23-acre tranche of land is reserved for the N6 Galway City Ring Road and further north of that, O’Malleys have sought planning permission for 58 homes on four acres.

The development firm confirmed that it recently completed the purchase of the land for an undisclosed sum – it was put on the market earlier this year with an €11.5 million price tag.

The site acquisition was funded with support from Pearl Residential Equity Fund and Activate Capital with O’Malley Construction having been advised by the Ernst & Young Debt Advisory Team, who specialise in advice on debt and raising capital.

In October 2019, An Bord Pleanála granted permission for 242 units on the 15-acre portion of the lands and the company has now started construction on the first phase of houses.

A spokesperson told Tribune Property: “This new development will include three- and four-bedroom houses in terraced and semi-detached designs.

“There will also be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroomed apartments and duplex units that will suit a range of buyers along with a crèche, two retail units and a community centre.”

O’Malley Construction has built many developments in Galway and Dublin over the past 50 years and has recently completed residential schemes in Galway such as Réileán, Tuairín and Cúirt Bhoirne, which are all located at Roscam, on the east side of city. The Cúirt Bhoirne project is currently under construction.

The company has also just finished a large residential development at ‘Ardilea Crescent’ in Clonskeagh, South Dublin, which included 27 houses and 75 apartments.

The name approved for their newest development in Knocknacarra is ‘Maolchnoc’, meaning round topped hill, as the site is located on an elevated site on the Upper Ballymoneen Road at the top of Ballyburke townland. The location is within 5km of the city centre.

The spokesperson said: “One of O’Malley Construction’s hallmarks is the treatment of communal and open spaces. This new development will be no different with generous areas of open landscaping provided along with the playgrounds and amenities.

“Maolchnoc is adjacent to residential amenity lands and will include the restoration of a greenway that will help link various local housing estates and roads in terms of cycling and pedestrians.”

No details on prices or launch dates are available yet, but interested parties can register their interest in the development by contacting O’Malley Construction directly on 091 509970 or the sales agents, O’Donnellan & Joyce Auctioneers on 091 564212.