Galway County Council has announced plans to deliver 44 new affordable homes in Athenry, after the Local Authority this week signed contracts with Studio PKA (Paul Keogh Architects) for the design of the two housing schemes.

The affordable units are proposed under the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ programme and include 28 homes at Raheen and 16 at Páirc na hAbhainn.

Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, Cllr Martina Kinane described the announcement as ‘fantastic news’.

“They will complement the ongoing delivery of the 61-unit Garraí Na Gaoithe housing development in Claregalway. The proposed homes will help meet the increased demand for affordable housing being experienced in the county in recent years,” she said.

Director of Housing Michael Owens said the anticipated future increase in demand for affordable housing in Galway has led to increased engagement between local authorities, developers, planners and other key stakeholders.

“In conjunction with colleagues in Galway City Council, we are engaging with key stakeholders to explore new opportunities for increasing Galway’s stock of affordable housing,” he added. “Developments such as those in Athenry and Baile Chláir will assist in addressing the housing shortage and will also breathe new life into local communities.”

The appointment of Studio PKA to design the Athenry schemes follows a competitive process to secure architect-led integrated design services for the provision of social and affordable residential developments and public realm schemes for projects greater than €3 million for the period 2024 to 2028.

Pictured:  Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway Cllr Martina Kinane, and architect Paul Keogh of Studio PKA pictured at Áras an Chontae for the contract signing for the design of affordable housing schemes in Athenry.

A ONE million euro plus Greenway route through a famous bog close to Ballyforan village on the Galway/Roscommon border was officially opened recently by Minister of State, Alan Dillon.

The 3.1 kilometre Ballyforan Greenway is a shared walkway and cycleway loop through a section of the 250-acre Derryfada Bog which takes in parts of Galway and Roscommon.

The Greenway project – on the Bord na Móna owned bog – has been funded mainly from the EU’s Just Transition Fund, which was set up to assist areas most affected by the ‘move away’ from peat based electricity generation.

Local public representatives have welcomed the Greenway project, describing it as ‘a game-changer’ for the community in the greater Ballyforan area.

Athleague councillor, Dominick Connolly, told the Connacht Tribune, that the Greenway was already attracting hundreds of visitors to the area.

“It really is a wonderful facility for the area which will be a tremendous boost for the local community. The local committee [The Ballyforan Area Transition Team, BATT] has really worked hard to make this happen over the past five years,” said Cllr. Connolly.

The BATT committee are raising €150,000 as part of the local contribution required to see the €1.1 million project through and have now launched a dedicated ‘Sponsors Wall’ at the site.

Bricks can be purchased at €250 a go, containing two lines of text with the name and townland of the donor, or the donor’s family, to be inscribed on each brick.

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Alan Dillon, praised the voluntary efforts and dedication of the local community when officially opening the Greenway on Friday last.

Following the opening, Minister Dillon, then officially launched the Ballyforan Feasibility Study in the local hall which sets out a roadmap for the village’s future in terms of services and viability.

The Greenway development, first mooted back in 2020, took eight months to construct and also includes a 20-space car-park. It is expected to be used by walkers, joggers, cyclist and tourists.

Newly elected Roscommon Senator Gareth Scahill, who attended last Friday’s opening of the Greenway, told the Connacht Tribune that the project was a fitting reward for the efforts of the local community in sustaining and growing their own area.

“I think that anyone who was here last Friday will have seen how well this project has turned out – it is a credit to all involved and is worthy of all the support that it gets,” said Senator Scahill.

The EU Just Transition Fund (EUJTF), co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, aims ‘to establish sustainable ways of supporting the livelihoods of communities around Ireland’s raised bogs, while helping those natural habitats to recover and thrive’.

■ Anyone wishing to purchase a fund-raising brick for the Ballyforan Greenway can do by visiting:  https://www.idonate.ie/forms/BallyforanGreenway

Pictured at the official opening of the Ballyforan Greenway were, left to right: Cllr. Gareth Scahill with his daughter, Kate; Cllr. Dominick Connolly; Minister of State, Alan Dillon TD, who officially opened the Greenway; and Cllr. Valerie Duffy.    

The number of homes available to buy in Galway has plummeted this year — at the same time as prices continue to rise for those that do come to the market, a new report reveals.

There were almost one-fifth fewer homes sold in the city and county in the first three months of this year than were sold during the same period last year.

But median house prices were up by 5% in Galway as a whole — with double that increase in the city area.

January to March of 2025 was the slowest first quarter for sales in Galway since the start of the decade, according to the latest Geowox Housing Market Report.

A total of 426 houses were sold during the quarter, down 18% on last year’s first three months of sales (518) and much fewer still than in Q1 2023 (633) and Q1 2020 (559). The report does not include figures for 2021 or 2022, when market activity was slowed by the Covid pandemic.

The vast majority of those sales in Galway in the early months of this year were existing houses — only one-in-ten, or 43 of them, were new houses.

In Galway City, just 88 homes changed hands between January and March, a 25% drop on the number recorded during the same months last year — more than six times the 4% drop in sales nationally.

By comparison, sales of homes in other cities actually rose — by 3% in Dublin, 4% in Cork and 3% in Limerick, with Waterford City sales falling by a much more modest 4%.

Meanwhile, house prices continued to rise — by 5% in Galway as a whole, bringing the median selling price to €330,000, an increase of €15,000 over the year.

But price increases in the city were greater, rising by 10% to a median price of €422,000 … meaning that buyers are paying on average €37,000 more for a home than this time last year.

It continues a trend that has seen median city prices rise by 48% since 2020 — a shocking difference of €137,000 in the space of five years. The picture is not much better in the county as a whole, with prices up €97,000 in the period.

Nationally, median prices rose by 10% in the first three months of this year, with homes having a BER rating of A or B fetching a premium.

Geowox’s Head of data, Marco Giardina, said: “Median prices are steadily rising, while energy-efficient and new homes continue to command hefty premiums.”

Pictured: Marco Giardina, Geowox’s Head of data: “Median prices are steadily rising, while energy-efficient and new homes continue to command hefty premiums.”

Two worthy Galway charities will benefit from a Gala Night hosted by the current Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, Cllr. Martina Kinane, in Athenry’s Raheen Woods Hotel on Saturday, June 7.

She has chosen the Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit and Hand in Hand, the Children’s Cancer Charity as the beneficiaries of this year’s Cathaoirleach Charity Ball.

“I am honoured to have this opportunity to host this year’s Cathaoirleach Charity Ball which is a great privilege. We have a great night’s entertainment planned and very much look forward to what promises to be a wonderful nigh,” said Cllr. Kinane.

The evening will commence with a drinks reception at 6.30pm followed by a four course meal provided by the Raheen Woods Hotel, with music on the night by Sean Slattery and the Connections.

Oranmore Maree Costal Search Unit is a 100% voluntary organisation. Their vital work includes leading, organising and conducting search, rescue and recovery operations on both land and water.

They also provide pastoral care to the family and friends of casualties, their efforts bring solace and support to countless families, communities and emergency responders.

Hand in Hand – Children’s Cancer Charity is a charity that helps families who are dealing with childhood cancer.

They provide free practical support including household cleaning services, laundry and family meals, as well as emotional support through play therapy and counselling.

Cllr. Kinane said she was very much aware of the valuable work undertaken by her chosen charities.

“I am delighted that all the proceeds from the Cathaoirleach Charity Ball, will help two very deserving charities to continue the valuable work they both undertake in our local communities,” she added.

Tickets are €80 each and are available from the Council’s Corporate Services Office on 091 509316.

Pictured: Cathaoirleach Martina Kinane pictured at the launch of her Cathaoirleach’s Ball in Raheen Woods Hotel with (from left) Caroline O’Connor and Shea Marshall of Hand in Hand; Lester McNamara and Oisin Nevin, Raheen Woods Hotel; Jackie Joyce, and Sean Harte, Betty and Sean Greene and Cillian Morris of the Oranmore Maree Coast Search Unit. Photo: Sean Lydon.