Defense Minister reopens Galway Government hub after €11.5 million investment
Department of Defence staff joined Defence Minister TD Helen McEntee in Galway this Monday to officially re-open a retrofitted building after an €11.5 million investment.
Minister McEntee officially re-opened Áras an tSáile in Renmore on Monday, August 24. She was joined by various Galway city councillors and Galway TDs to reveal the new energy efficient office building.
Áras an tSáile is a 5,000 sqm Government office that was built in 1989. It is now home to the Department of Defence, the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, as well as the National Shared Services Office.
Minister Helen McEntee giving a short address outside Áras an tSáile. © Emma Smith
Áras an tSáile re-opened as retrofitted building. © Emma Smith
The works included a “full upgrade of the building envelope,” according to a representing engineer from the Office of Public Works speaking at the event, where the upgrades would bring the Building Energy Rating from a C to an A3.
Construction began in phases in early 2025 and costed about €11.5 million. The works included a full external insulation installation, replacement of windows that open for natural ventilation, and a modern heating system moving away from the gas boilers.
Electric vehicle charging points were also installed in the car park.
After the completion of works in Summer 2026, the building is now expected to see a 60pc boost in energy efficiency, the Minister added.
Minister McEntee said the priority was to bring the building up to spec for a positive employee work environment.
A dedication bench outside the building included in the retrofit. © Emma Smith
Minister McEntee said: “I am delighted to mark the reopening of Áras an tSáile following this major investment in Galway. This building has been home to Department of Defence offices for nearly four decades and this project demonstrates how we can modernise public buildings while supporting our climate ambitions.”
Speaking to staff, she added: “It’s about, for me, first and foremost, making sure that each and every one of you are working in an environment that is welcoming, that is comfortable, that is up to standard and up to scratch.”
“Thank you to all of those involved in the project because many hands have been involved in this to my own department, to the OPW teams, to Stewart’s Construction, to the designers, to everybody who’s played a part in getting this project off the ground and doing it in really quick time,” the minister added.