Galway Ring Road house buy-outs to begin 'as quickly as possible'

HOUSE purchases along the route of the N6 Galway City Ring Road will be completed “as quickly as possible”, Galway County Councillors have been told, with construction expected to be finished by 2031

Published 1st May 2026, 06:04 BST Updated 1st May 2026, 10:11 BST A new bridge over the River Corrib is a key element of the Ring Road plan. HOUSE purchases along the route of the N6 Galway City Ring Road will be completed “as quickly as possible”, Galway County Councillors have been told, with construction expected to be finished by 2031 Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

Despite the possibility of a judicial review, elected representatives welcomed the recent approval from An Coimisiún Pleanála , describing it as progress after “a lot of false dawns”.

Chief Executive Liam Conneally said there will now be direct engagement with affected homeowners .

“There will be direct communication with property owners now that we have a decision,” he said, adding that “certainty for property owners is welcome” and that the council is operating with “a view to purchasing properties as quickly as possible”.

“This is probably one of the most important pieces of infrastructure for the city and county in the lifetime of this council,” he said.

“This will serve future generations with significant community and economic gain for all of Galway and the west of Ireland . We need a route around our city so we can grow in a sustainable manner. Let us get on with the business of building the ring road and stop talking about it. We owe it to ourselves and future generations.

READ MORE: House building still on the rise in Galway city and county

“This 18 kilometres of road will take a serious amount of heavy goods vehicles out of the city centre and environs and will allow the city to grow. It is part of the transport solution for Galway.”

This is probably one of the most important pieces of infrastructure for the city and county in the lifetime of this council

Several councillors raised concerns about the impact on homeowners, particularly whether those affected will be able to remain within their local communities.

Independent Ireland councillor and bye-election candidate Noel Thomas said it is “disappointing to see houses being knocked” but that it also “comes as a relief that something is moving ahead” after they “spent the last few years in limbo”.

“I am hoping they will be looked after and can stay in their own local area if that is what they wish to do,” he said.

Cllr Tomás Ó Curraoín (RepSF) said he supports the concept of a ring road but argued that an alternative route could have avoided impacting homeowners.

He questioned whether those affected would be able to secure planning permission near their existing homes.

“ People have been waiting for years with their homes in jeopardy and don't know where they stand,” said Cllr Ó Curraoín.

“Are they going to be bought out? I always had concerns about the route. There was a big alternative that is not the fault of the people here. We seem to go headways into things. I am very annoyed over it. We know how hard it is to get houses. Will people get planning beside where their homes were?”

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Independent councillor and bye-election candidate Thomas Welby said he “feels sorry for people in relation to housing ” and described it as “unfortunate we didn't have a route 20 years ago before the houses were built”.

The Chief Executive said their “door is open” to queries and noted that property transactions will follow a “set formula”.

He added that any subsequent planning applications would be treated as a “separate process” and “judged on their merits”, while “we will obviously understand what is going on”.

Director of Services Uinsinn Finn described how eight route options were assessed, with the preferred route emerging through public consultation, and accepted the impact on homeowners.

“We do acknowledge the significant impact on homeowners,” he said. "We are open to discussions to see if there is a pathway forward.”

Leas Cathaoirleach Mary Hoade (FF), who chaired the meeting, also noted that it has been “very challenging for those whose homes have been impacted” and confirmed that “letters are going out next week” and that the council has “an open door policy here”.

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Cllr Eileen Mannion described the approval as “really good news for Connemara ”, while Cllr Welby said he “hoped there will be no appeal”.

“We had a lot of false dawns,” he said. “Let's not talk in a legal chamber. This is vital to Connemara. Anyone who has an issue should contact the local authority.”

NEW: Owners of Hayden's Hotel in Ballinasloe issue update on plans for the building Anger growing in Galwayover bid to build major gas plant near Athenry Cllr Máirtín Lee (FF) raised concerns about the impact on the existing R336, saying it is “not suitable for more traffic ,” while Cllr Peter Feeney (FG) described the project as a “game changer” for Galway.

Related topics: Representatives Council Councillors People An Coimisiún Pleanála Properties Community Ireland Homeowners Business Housing Planning permission Independent Traffic Connemara Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.