Heritage Officer slams ‘butchering’ of Island House

Planners have given the go-ahead for the overhaul of the historic Island House on Gaol Road – despite concerns from the city’s Heritage Officer that it entailed a “brutalist approach”.

Jim Higgins said the Protected Structure would be “architecturally butchered” by the plans, which would involve the loss of original limestone walling, the addition of ugly features and materials.

Developer Georgina O’Mahony of Moralto Investments Ltd had sought permission for extensive works to the late 19th century warehouse behind the Cathedral.

Heritage Officer Jim Higgins said: “This proposal is a brutalist approach to a Protected Structure which has a pleasing and uniform character and which would be architecturally butchered by this proposed intervention.

“The emphasis on Nuns Island, Cathedral Square should be on valuing and enhancing the collection of industrial archaeological value and interest.

“This proposal would destroy a significant element among a wider group of important buildings with a significant social and working history,” said Mr Higgins.

For more on this story and the plans for redevelopment, see this week’s Galway City Tribune