Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney has announced a €1,192,855 funding injection to draw up a masterplan for the regeneration of Portumna.
The grant under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will develop a programme of works to transform the town.
The projects for the plan entitled Portumna Vision 2030 include:
• Renovating the Courthouse and converting it into a Community Arts Centre, Remote Working Hub and Tourist Information Office.
• Public realm regeneration works for St Brendan’s Court, Clonfert Avenue, Bridge Road and Castle Avenue.
• A Sculpture Park linking the Castle, Workhouse, Courthouse, Forest Park and Loop Walk with a wayfinding project to link all of the above elements.
• A detailed design for the redevelopment of the medieval burgage plots.
• A plan to acquire two protected buildings on Abbey Street and convert them into homes for town centre living, while retaining the protected structures.
Minister Canney said: “These exciting plans will regenerate and rejuvenate Portumna and I am delighted that my department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, is providing the funding to develop them.
“Over the years, Portumna has seen its population decline and its businesses suffer. This type of investment is badly needed.
“The plan will create an integrated experience for Portumna aimed at boosting tourism, improving the town for its people and stimulating business activity.
“Portumna has some great assets, including the Castle, the Workhouse, the newly-developed Marina and the harbour area.
“When I was Minister for the Office of Public Works, I was deeply involved in improvements for the Castle and Marina. We now need to adopt that approach for the whole town.
“The funding will finance a fully-fledged development plan led by Galway County Council with input from key stakeholders, including Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland, the OPW, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Coillte, Portumna Chamber of Commerce and Portumna Town and Community Hall Group.
“I want to congratulate all the stakeholders on achieving this funding following a very comprehensive and professional application.
“The plan will bring the project forward to shovel-ready status, at which point an application will be made for major funding to finance the implementation of all its elements.”

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
June 25 2020