Galway to get concert hall if 2020 bid succeeds

A new public building housing a major concert hall, a municipal gallery and a new library headquarters is among the projects planned for the city if it succeeds in becoming the European Capital of Culture 2020.

While City Chief Executive Brendan McGrath has refused to release details of the infrastructural projects contained in the bid before the adjudication process, it is understood there is a proposal for a flagship cultural space.

The city has sorely lacked a 2,000 to 3,000-seater concert venue with the result that is bypassed by major acts when they visit this country and music fans frequently have to travel to locations like Castlebar, Limerick and Dublin.

Instead of seeing revenue leave the city, a concert venue of this size would be a major attraction and would draw crowds from all over the region depending on the quality of the acts.

However, the City Chief Executive has definitely ruled out a former plan to build a concert hall and conference space on Fisheries Field on the banks of the River Corrib in what would have been a joint venture between the city and NUIG, according to Councillor Padraig Conneely.

For more on the city’s 2020 proposals, see this week’s Galway City Tribune