By Brendan Carroll

A replica of one of the old Claddagh thatched cottages, which opened more than a decade ago as a tourist and cultural attraction, is set to be demolished.

An application has been made for planning permission to knock the cottage on Fairhill Road Upper and build two houses in its place.

Known as Katie’s Claddagh Cottage, it was built by Cathriona Walsh and her family as a recreation of the traditional thatched houses of the Claddagh fishing village, most of which were demolished in the 1930s to make way for the Claddagh of today.

Also described as the Claddagh Arts Centre, it was open to visiting groups who wanted a glimpse of life in the village a century ago and more, and hosted many cultural events over the years, as well as serving as a regular base for Galway Hooker Sailing Club events.

Now, Cathriona Walsh is seeking permission from Galway City Council to change from Retail and Community use to Residential, demolish the existing cottage, sheds and workshop structure, and to build two detached houses on the site.

She was previously granted planning permission in 2022 for the erection of a four-bedroomed two-storey house on the site. That proposal involved incorporating the cottage building into the design of the house, rather than demolishing it.