Galway's Coastal Murrough Lands Vision Opens for Consultation

28th October 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Proposed Murrough Lands urban design masterplan in Galway City

Shore Thing – An artist’s impression of Galway City Council’s proposed Murrough Lands development, showing new housing overlooking a landscaped coastal amenity and waterfront Credit: GCC

An “Urban Design Vision” for Galway City’s Murrough Lands has opened to public consultation for a month.

Coastal protection and flood defence, use of public space, transport infrastructure, dedicated cycleways and footpaths, and housing provision are among the elements of the plan.

It outlines an ambitious strategic framework to transform 34 hectares of land in the east of the city into “sustainable, well-connected neighbourhoods – with up to 2,500 new homes, a new rail station, flood defences, play facilities, open green spaces and community hubs”, Galway City Council says.

Feedback is invited through a drop-in event at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) on Wellpark Road on 5 November, or online through the Galway City Council consultation portal.

The public consultation will close at 5pm on Monday 23 November.

Given the ecologically sensitive coastal environment, the plan prioritises climate resilience by providing for a new linear coastal amenity and integrated flood defence framework, the council says.

It says a substantial portion of the landbank will be reserved for public recreation, aiming to deliver critical neighbourhood amenities such as structured play facilities, open green spaces and community hubs.

Members of the local community, stakeholders and interested parties are invited to view the Draft Urban Design Vision, meet the project design team and provide direct feedback, with two sessions on 5 November in the ATU front foyer, from 3.30pm to 5pm and 6.30pm to 8pm.

Galway City Council says it “welcomes all observations and submissions” regarding the proposed vision, which is non-statutory.

The Draft Urban Design Vision has been prepared by Reddy Architecture and Urbanism.

Submissions can be made through either of the following channels:

Online: Via the Galway City Council Online Consultation Portal.

By post: Senior Planner, Planning Department, City Hall, College Road, Galway, H91 X4K8.

Published in Galway Harbour

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Galway Port & Harbour

Galway Bay is a large bay on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south. Galway city and port is located on the northeast side of the bay. The bay is about 50 kilometres (31 miles) long and from 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to 30 kilometres (19 miles) in breadth.

The Aran Islands are to the west across the entrance and there are numerous small islands within the bay.

Galway Port FAQs

How old is Galway port?

Galway was founded in the 13th century by the de Burgo family, and became an important seaport with sailing ships bearing wine imports and exports of fish, hides and wool.

How old is Galway bay?

Not as old as previously thought. Galway bay was once a series of lagoons, known as Loch Lurgan, plied by people in log canoes. Ancient tree stumps exposed by storms in 2010 have been dated back about 7,500 years.

What is the tonnage of the port?

It is about 660,000 tonnes as it is a tidal port.

Who is the harbourmaster of Galway port?

Capt Brian Sheridan, who succeeded his late father, Capt Frank Sheridan

When are the lock gates open?

The dock gates open approximately two hours before high water and close at high water subject to ship movements on each tide.

What's the biggest ship that can 'fit' in the harbour?

The typical ship sizes are in the region of 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes

Is renewable energy generating a lot of business for Galway port?

Turbines for about 14 wind projects have been imported in recent years, but the tonnage of these cargoes is light. A European industry report calculates that each turbine generates €10 million in locally generated revenue during construction and logistics/transport.

Is Galway a European cable location?

Yes, Iceland has selected Galway as European landing location for international telecommunications cables. Farice, a company wholly owned by the Icelandic Government, currently owns and operates two submarine cables linking Iceland to Northern Europe.

What's the update on the Galway port expansion plans?

It is "very much a live project", Harbourmaster Capt Sheridan says, and the Port of Galway board is "awaiting the outcome of a Bord Pleanála determination", he says.

Where does all the scrap go at Galway Port?

90% of the scrap steel is exported to Spain with the balance being shipped to Portugal. Since the pandemic, scrap steel is shipped to the Liverpool where it is either transhipped to larger ships bound for China.

Why is Galway Port exporting silage and the Irish farmers are crying out for it?

It might look like silage, but in fact, its bales domestic and municipal waste, exported to Denmark where the waste is incinerated, and the heat is used in district heating of homes and schools. It is called RDF or Refuse Derived Fuel and has been exported out of Galway since 2013.

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The new ferry is arriving at Galway Bay onboard the cargo ship SVENJA. The vessel is currently on passage to Belem, Brazil before making her way across the Atlantic to Galway.

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Two Volvo round world races have selected Galway for the prestigious yacht race route. Some 10,000 people welcomed the boats in during its first stopover in 2009, when a festival was marked by stunning weather. It was also selected for the race finish in 2012. The Volvo has changed its name and is now known as the "Ocean Race". Capt Sheridan says that once port expansion and the re-urbanisation of the docklands is complete, the port will welcome the "ocean race, Clipper race, Tall Ships race, Small Ships Regatta and maybe the America's Cup right into the city centre...".

When is Seafest coming back to Galway?

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