Breaking News
Mayor of Galway says Bonham Docks development would represent major step forward for city
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Mayor of Galway councillor Pearce Flannery says the proposed 100
million euro development at the Docks would be a major step forward for
the city.
His observation was made at day two of the oral hearing concerning the
development which would create a 26 thousand square metre office complex
and public square in the heart of the city.
The building of the complex across Dock Road, Queen Street and Bothar na
Long is led by Gerry Barret’s company Edward Capital.
Mayor Flannery told the hearing the Bonham Quay development provides an
opportunity to energise the city, bringing vibrancy and new life into Galway.
He said the city has lost big firms such as AirBnB and LinkedIn to
Dublin, while other cities have forged ahead because Galway has been
constrained with development.
He stressed the plan is not about a building but about people, adding that
the project would attract high-volume jobs into the area.
President of Galway Chamber of Commerce David Hickey told the hearing a
lack of Grade A office space places the city at a distinct disadvantage.
He added that from 2015 to date, 60% of IDA backed businesses set up in
the city centre.
Mr. Hickey stressed that the development represents a badly needed
kick-start to the city’s regeneration plan.
Galway City Business Association also made an observation this afternoon
arguing Galway is ripe for development of this nature adding it would have
a substantial economic benefit.
Fianna Fail city councillor Peter Keane also made an observation in
support of the plan highlighting the site represents less than 5% of the
total harbour area.
He told the hearing his practice is based on the fourth floor of the
Queensgate building and he doesn’t feel the planned scale is excessive.
City councilor Noel Larkin addressed the hearing and said the city has
been trying to get an outer bypass for 15 years and a development of this
type is crucial to that type of investment.
Earlier today, An Taisce described the project as an unsustainable,
piecemeal, ad-hoc urban development.
Its submission argued the project needs a statutory master plan in order
to be plan-led and not developer-led.
The group also raised serious concerns over what it described as a lack of
residential content arguing it fails to acknowledge the city’s housing
shortage stating the scheme as designed will only serve itself.
The submission also highlights concerns regarding the scale, height,
design and layout of the scheme which it described as an ‘inward focused
office campus’.
The An Taisce report states the 7 to 8 storey complex will cause
significant visual change over a limited area.
The group also raised concerns regarding the project’s engagement with the
waterfront adding that views to the docks will be poor and overshadowed by
nearby office blocks.
The hearing is expected to conclude tomorrow at the Clayton Hotel.
The death has occurred of the former Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Martin Drennan, six years after he announced his retirement on health grounds. He was aged 78.
The Galway Diocesan Office confirmed the death this (Saturday) afternoon of the Bishop and Apostolic Administrator Emeritus, who oversaw the Diocese for eleven years.
Born on January 2, 1944 in Piltown, County Kilkenny, he studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. His brother Michael is also a priest.
Following his ordination, he continued his studies in Rome where he was awarded a Licentiate in both sacred theology and sacred scripture. He returned to Rome in 1980 to become spiritual director at the Pontifical Irish College for the next five years.
He became a lecturer in sacred scripture at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he continued to teach until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in 1997 with responsibility for East Wicklow and South Dublin.
Following the retirement of Bishop James McLoughlin, Bishop Drennan was appointed Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora and he was installed on July 3, 2005 in Galway Cathedral.
Outgoing Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) is on course to retain her City Council seat – and top the poll in City East.
With 33% of the boxes tallied, Cllr O’Flaherty is polling strongly, particularly in Renmore.
Michael John Crowe is ahead of his running mate Alan Cheevers for the Fianna Fáil vote, according to the early figures, although that could change when Doughiska and Roscam boxes are opened.
The Green Party’s Claire Hillery is on about 7%, with Fine Gael on 10% and Sinn Fein on 5%.
The opening of boxes for the local elections began at 9am this morning in Leisureland when the tallymen (and women) kicked into gear.
As regards the Galway County Council elections, the smaller areas are being opened first which means that the four-seater Connemara North boxes will be first in the pecking order.
It will be followed by Gort-Kinvara (5 seats), Connemara South (5 seats), Athenry-Oranmore (7 seats), Ballinasloe (6 seats), Loughrea (5 seats) and finally Tuam (7 seats).
The boxes in these areas will be opened and tallied in that particular order before being transferred to the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Threadneedle Road where the counting will commence around mid-morning.
That is when the fun will really begin – although the tallies should give a good indication as to where most of the seats are destined.
As regards the city, the Galway City East boxes were opened first, followed by Galway City Central and finally Galway City West. These votes will be transferred to the Westside Centre by around 11am for counting.
There are 39 seats on Galway County Council to be filled with 18 on Galway City Council. The City Council count is expected to conclude on Saturday night but the County Council count – with seven electoral areas to be filled – could well go into Monday.
Families queue up for school’s offer of free house
West has lower cancer survival rates than rest
Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents
Gardaí and IFA issue a joint appeal on summer road safety
Marathon Man plans to call a halt – but not before he hits 160 races
