Staff shortage puts the brakes on 1916 memorial arch plan

The construction of a memorial arch for those who fought in the 1916 Rising and the Irish Civil War has been put on hold due to a lack of staff and resources at City Hall.

First proposed prior to the 50th anniversary in 1966, the arch was finally due to be erected at the O’Brien’s Bridge entrance to Bruach na Coiribe and was expected to be under construction by last year.

However, the proposals have remained on hold – this despite Galway City Council making funding available for the project in its annual budget.

Cllr Terry O’Flaherty hit out at the lack of progress on delivering the arch, which she said would be a great addition to the city.

“There is funding secured for it – as far as I’m concerned, there is €55,000 secured. That money is there and it was agreed that it would go towards this,” said Cllr O’Flaherty.

A spokesperson for Galway City Council said that there has been no progress on this plan and while there was still an intention to have the memorial constructed, there was, as of yet, no timeframe for completion.

“There hasn’t been any movement on this and it’s an issue of staff resources and timing.

“We haven’t had the opportunity or the resources to advance this project in the way we had hoped to this year but hopefully, we will get to it in the second half of the year,” he said.

The spokesperson confirmed that funding for the arch was still in the Council’s budget for 2017 and that it would remain as such.

Cllr O’Flaherty initially put down a motion for this structure over a year ago – hoping to progress the idea of a memorial arch that has been in existence for over half a century.

A definite location for the arch has not been decided, and while O’Brien’s Bridge is the preferred option, this is a decision that the Council would have to take for the proposal to progress.

Cllr O’Flaherty said she would be continuing to raise this issue at the executive level until she is satisfied progress is being made.

“I am still optimistic that it could go on Bruach na Coiribe because that would be an ideal location.

“I would be hopeful that in 2017 there will be some constructive movement on this – I am still pursuing this project and it is my intention to continue pursuing it,” she said.