Visible from across the lough, a huge white plastic cover over Áras an tSáile in Renmore is currently in place to facilitate the removal of storm-damaged slates and “hazardous roofing material” as part of a €12.8 million revamp of the 30-year-old building.
The 62-week project, undertaken by Stewart Construction, follows construction of the Defence Forces’ new €11.3 million University Students’ Accommodation Complement (USAC ) building behind Áras an tSáile, and €1.1 million of works to adjacent barracks at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa.
In a statement, the Office of Public Works (OPW ) said the modernisation of the army’s pension and admin offices would be part-funded through the EU’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP ).
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris, this week announced a record €1.7 billion in defence funding as part of the 2026-2030 National Development Plan (NDP ) rreview. This is an increase of €600 million, or 55 per cent on the previous baseline figure of €1.1 billion.
Works on Áras an tSáile are designed to reduce its carbon emissions by 60 per cent, bringing it from a C1 BER rating to A3. This includes upgrading mechanical and electrical services, installing a heat pump, solar panels, new windows and upgrading the building’s overall finish. Works on its carpark will include charging points for electric vehicles. The works are intended to extend the lifespan of the building by a further 30 years.
Galway has been earmarked as a possible location for a new Maritime Security installation to be confirmed before 2028, and it is understood proposals for a massive capital investment are in the pipeline for Renmore Barracks, including new on-site accommodation, ICT infrastructure, admin block, and new gym and Physical Training (PT ) building with panoramic views of the Burren and Galway Bay.
A new naval wharf for Naval Service vessels will form part of the Port of Galway’s ambitious €1 billion redevelopment plans, with a planning decision on the 11-year live application expected by the end of this year. The expansion would create a deep-water docking facility, and also involve the reclamation of around 27 hectares from the foreshore and sea bed directly behind the vast military property in Renmore.
