Museum to charge county visitors – but leaves it free for city kids

People living in County Galway will be charged an entry fee to the new revamped city museum when it opens in 2022 – but the charge will be waived for city children and other city ‘citizens’.

The new pricing policy, revealed at Monday’s City Council meeting, has led to accusations of discrimination against children and residents of the county. Tourists, and anyone not living in Galway City, will also be charged to enter the new museum.

City Councillor Frank Fahy (FG) said it was ‘racist’ to charge county children an entrance fee, while residents in the city would have free entry. It was unfair on people living in Oranmore or Claregalway, for instance, he said.

Cllr Collette Connolly (Ind) said she would be ‘horrified’ at the introduction of a fee to a facility that has been free for all since it opened. Both urged Council management to continue the policy of free entry to the museum.

Brian Barrett, an official at Galway City Council, confirmed the new museum, which will be integrated with the existing museum and Comerford House at Spanish Parade, will have an admittance fee.

This, he said, was a condition laid-down by Fáilte Ireland, which is providing some €6.44 million for the project. The Council provides some €3.8 million in match funding.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.