At a critical moment for Galway’s future, a transformative opportunity sits tantalisingly close—yet continues to stall. The relocation and expansion of the Port of Galway is not merely a maritime infrastructure project; it is the single most important investment in the city’s ability to thrive economically, socially, and environmentally over the coming decades. It must be supported—urgently and unequivocally.
Galway’s port is, at present, a paradox. Financial performance has improved impressively in recent years, with 2023 revenue nearing €6 million and profits before tax exceeding €2 million. But that is despite, not because of, the physical constraints that bind it. In 2024 alone, the port lost out on lucrative contracts: granite exports to The Gambia, limestone for the vital Ireland-France Celtic Interconnector, and the shipment of wind turbine towers. Why? Because the port is simply too small to accommodate the modern bulk carriers essential for these trades.
These are not abstract losses. Each missed shipment is a missed job, a missed tax contribution, and a missed step in Galway’s path toward becoming a global green economy hub. At a time when national and European policy is prioritising renewable energy, we in the West are held back—not by ambition, but by inaction. A region ranked 218th out of 234 in EU infrastructure standings should not be losing opportunities to export Connemara granite while the Gambia imports 80 shipments of stone annually from Brazil and Turkey.
The proposed port relocation and expansion—currently awaiting decision from An Bord Pleanála after more than a decade of delay—would address this imbalance. The project includes a 12-metre-deep channel capable of hosting bulk carriers and cruise ships, a freight rail link, offshore wind support, a hydrogen hub, and the creation of a waterfront urban quarter to rival any European coastal city. This is not just port expansion; this is strategic, nation-building infrastructure.
Cruise ships represent another compelling opportunity. Galway is already on the radar of cruise operators, but inadequate facilities force passengers into uncomfortable and often unviable launch transfers, leaving buses and tour guides idle and local businesses without benefit. Fully enabling cruise access would immediately boost local tourism revenue and position Galway as a premiere stop on the Atlantic cruise circuit. And with proper facilities, it would allow smaller ports along the western seaboard—Rossaveel, Killybegs, and others—to function more effectively in tandem, reinforcing rather than competing with Galway.
In his presentation to Galway City Council on Monday afternoon, Port CEO Conor O’Dowd was clear: this is a “generational opportunity.” The project is aligned with the Government’s National Planning Framework, the Climate Action Plan, and the European Green Deal. It ticks every policy box: sustainability, regional development, climate resilience, housing, and infrastructure. Even the proposed adjacent residential development could help alleviate Galway’s housing crisis—if handled inclusively.
Local support is strong. City Council members across party lines have voiced their frustration at long-standing delays and committed to pushing for progress. And rightly so. Galway’s role as a realistic regional alternative to Dublin hinges on this very project.
This is a turning point. We can allow Galway Port to continue functioning as a limited, underutilised asset—or we can invest in it as a cornerstone of a vibrant, green, global city. The choice before planners and policymakers is not just about ships and stone; it’s about vision, courage, and commitment to a fairer, better-balanced Ireland.
It’s time to let Galway Port reach its full potential. The city, the region, and the country will be better for it.
