The former Galway Airport site in Carnmore stands at a critical juncture. With Galway City and County Councils now actively seeking expressions of interest for the 115-acre site, the future of this strategically located land is finally up for meaningful debate. After years of speculation, this is a unique opportunity to turn promise into purpose — but only if ambition is matched by clarity and community-focused planning.
Over the years, the site has attracted a range of proposals, from a film production campus to a sports stadium, a camogie centre of excellence, a logistics hub, and even a revived regional airport. That so many bold ideas have been floated underscores the site’s significance. Just minutes from Galway city and well-connected by transport infrastructure, Carnmore offers a rare mix of accessibility and scale — a combination not easily found elsewhere.
But this call for interest must be more than a procedural gesture. What Galway needs is not vague private development or short-term gain, but a strategy rooted in public interest and long-term impact. The region faces pressing needs in housing and infrastructure, yet this land also holds potential as an investment in identity — through sport, culture, and creativity.
Reviving the airport, however, seems more rooted in nostalgia than necessity. With Shannon and Ireland West airports already serving the region effectively, Galway’s transport future lies in better public transit and forward-thinking infrastructure — not retracing old paths.
This moment calls for bold, inclusive leadership. The councils must not only consider investor pitches but also actively involve the community in shaping the site’s destiny. Done right, Carnmore can become more than a relic of the past — it can be a launchpad for Galway’s future.
