‘Monumental’ €3.6m investment paves way for new Galway town market
A “monumental” investment has paved the way for a town market in Tuam, Co Galway.
A €3.6 million investment has been made to develop a covered town market. The market will be located at The Shambles car park in Tuam town centre.
The market will feature an all-weather cover and provision for 22 market stalls. On days without a market, the cover will act as a community event space while preserving its legacy as a functional town centre parking area.
The funding comes under a Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund which is investing €409 million nationwide to prioritise vacant and unused sites and initiatives like Town Centre First plans. Local auhtoirites that showed plans in line with the fund’s objectives recieved funding.
“This €3.6 million investment represents a monumental victory for the economic and cultural future of Tuam. The Shambles has a rich commercial history rooted in trading, and this development breathes new life into that tradition,” Galway County Councillor Donagh Killilea said.
“By creating a modern, weather-proof covered market space, we are providing local traders, craftspeople, and community organizations with an invaluable asset while actively driving footfall back into the historic core of our town.”
A competitive tendering phase has begun with the invitation for construction firms to submit proposals to execute the design of the market space.
If the timeline on the project progresses “as anticipated,” construction will begin in early 2027.
Ten other projects were awarded funding throughout Galway. The total award for the county amounts to €24 million as Galway City was awarded €15.45 million and Galway County €8.55 million. They are:
Ceannt/Augustine Hill Public Realm - €7.5m
Galway City Centre Delivery Strategy - €150,000
Murrough Coastal Protection and Esplanade - €150,000
West of Galway City Movement Study - €150,000
Ballinasloe - Masterplan of Fair Green - €150,000
Ballinasloe - St. Michaels Square Public Realm Enhancement - €3.7m
Oranmore - Preliminary Design of Vehicular Accesses from R446 into Garraun Urban Framework Plan lands north of the railway line at Oranmore Train Station - €150,000
Oranmore - Planning and Construction of designed Eco Park within the Garraun Urban Framework Plan area, at Oranmore Train Station - €800,000