Minister confirms €8.95m acquisition of old Galwegians Rugby’s ten-acre complex

Plans have been unveiled this week to extend GMIT’s footprint on the Dublin Road – with confirmation from the college that it has purchased Galwegians’ grounds for €9 million.

As revealed by the Tribune last year, a deal has been struck for the 9.75-acre Crowley Park and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, was in Galway this week to officially announce expansion plans.

It is understood that as part of the deal, which was ratified by Galwegians’ members in June 2021, the rugby club has up to ten years to vacate the Glenina site – providing them time to find an alternative home.

Speaking at Monday’s announcement, Minister Harris said the €8.95 million site – for which the Higher Education Authority has provided €6.45 million in funding – will enable GMIT to fulfil its long-held ambition to expand.

“The site will now enable the new Atlantic Technical University to expand and develop facilities beside its existing Galway campus, as demand for higher education continues to rise,” said Minister Harris.

President of GMIT, Dr Orla Flynn, said the acquisition would provide for a projected increase in student numbers over the coming years.

“Atlantic Technical University (ATU) will have a strong footprint across the eastern side of Galway City, and we look forward to continued good relations with all our neighbouring community partners, including Galwegians RFC.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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