Black Box to be replaced by new cultural hub

The new performance space earmarked for the Dyke Road car park in time for Galway’s 2020 European Capital of Culture designation would likely spell the demise of the Black Box Theatre.

The city’s ten-year Cultural Sustainability Strategy Framework sets out a plan for a flexible cultural hub for the Council-owned land which would include a performance space with at least 1,200 seats suitable for music and artistic productions as well as a gallery, dance studios and ample area for largescale rehearsals.

While there have been no drawings or detailed plans drawn up at this stage, a spokesman for Galway City Council said the Black Box had reached its sell-by date.

“What we’re talking about is taking what Galway City Council owns – a large site going from the Terryland Forest Park at the back of the Black Box as far as the border wall of Fahy’s Memorials – for the development of a concert hall or performance space,” he explained.

“We have the potential of that site in terms of location and footfall – its proximity to the city centre and the university. Part of what we could manage to develop is the long spoken about footbridge beside the old railway bridge linking the university to Woodquay.

“One of the things we’re looking at – although it’s not set in stone – is the replacement of the Black Box. It has – to all intents and purposes to everyone who uses it and operates it – kind of reached its sell-by date in terms of usefulness.”

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune