Proposed new Galway Teen Space at McGrath’s Field could cost €150,000

A dedicated teen space for McGrath’s Field in Knocknacarra could cost in the region of €150,000, council officials have said, as calls were made for greater investment in facilities for young people.

Published 11th Jun 2026, 09:00 BST Iconic A dedicated teen space for McGrath’s Field in Knocknacarra could cost in the region of €150,000, council officials have said, as calls were made for greater investment in facilities for young people. 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.

The issue arose during discussions on community and recreational amenities, where Galway City Councillors highlighted a serious lack of facilities for teenagers in the area.

Cllr Alan Curran (Soc Dem) said he would allocate funding towards the project in 2027, describing the development of a teen space as “absolutely necessary”.

“Teenagers have nothing to do and are crying out for facilities,” he said at a meeting of the West Ward Area Committee.

“We have the money, location, will, and strategy. Can we action this for 2027?”

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Council officials acknowledged that the shortage of teen spaces has already been identified within the Green Spaces Strategy and stressed the importance of ensuring any facility is located appropriately.

“If teens collect together, they are automatically looked at as anti-social,” an official said.

Officials explained that specific criteria must be met when selecting a site for a teen space, including ensuring it is not located close to playgrounds or sports courts, while also being overlooked but sufficiently distant from housing.

“Those are the criteria we will be applying. It is something we will be actively looking at,” the official added.

The council also pointed to projects already underway elsewhere in the city, including the inclusion of a teen space as part of the Doughiska Skate Park development.

“We are cognisant of the lack of facilities, but introducing them in the right locations is key so they are not looked at as places for anti-social behaviour,” the official said.

“It is crucial for teenagers’ development to interact with their peers.”

Teenagers have nothing to do and are crying out for facilities.

Concerns were also raised about the suitability of McGrath’s Field as a location for the development. Independent Cllr Donal Lyons urged caution and said local residents should be consulted before any plans move forward.

“I have seen how it has changed,” he said. “Twenty years ago there was trouble most nights. I would be very wary. We need to look for advice from local residents.”

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During the discussion, Cllr Curran noted that his Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) funding may also be available to support the project.

Council officials cautioned members that a fully developed teen space would require significant investment.

“To build out a teen space, you are at the €150k mark. It is just something to keep in mind,” the official said.

A teen space is a designated outdoor area created specifically for teenagers to encourage social interaction, recreation, physical activity, and community engagement in a safe environment.

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