Who will run new Kingston facilities? Governance clarity sought after €7.5m funding

Who will run Galway’s new Kingston Park sports facilities following the announcement of €7.5 million in funding?

Published 19th Sep 2026, 09:00 BST €7.5 million funding was announced this week by Minister James Browne through the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund for phase one of the New Kingston Public Park. | Galway City Council Who will run Galway’s new Kingston Park sports facilities following the announcement of €7.5 million in funding? Clarity is being sought on who will run Galway’s new Kingston Park sports facilities following the announcement of €7.5 million in funding to begin delivery of the first phase of the development.

The initial works will centre on a new 4G synthetic pitch, along with elements of the car park and cycle and walkway network. The plans also provide for rounders and cricket facilities.

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The governance of the new facility was raised at this week’s meeting of Galway City Council’s West Local Area Committee, with Cllr Peter Keane (FF) calling on the council executive to bring forward its proposals “sooner rather than later”.

“The devil is in the detail,” he said, noting that there were a number of interested stakeholders in relation to the future governance of the facility.

Cllr Keane said expectations around its use should be managed before construction begins, so that there is clarity over “who uses it when”.

He said lessons should be learned from the experience of Cappagh Park and called for the governance arrangements to be set out early so that all involved could have as much certainty as possible.

'It's not over' - Merlin Woods campaigners vow to continue fight as clearfelling begins Overcrowded buses 'leaving passengers behind them' across three Galway areas Speaking following the meeting, Cllr Keane said he wanted a “clear and unambiguous” proposal from the council executive covering the governance of the facility, its booking system and how it will be allocated for community use.

Galway Bay Rugby Club is expected to be a major user of the facility, and Cllr Keane said it could become the club’s de facto home.

However, he said there should be no assumptions about an anchor tenant or licensee before councillors have considered the governance arrangements.

“I want them (Council Executive) to come forward with what they are proposing early,” he explained.

Cllr Keane stressed his concerns were about getting the arrangements right rather than the project itself, describing the funding as a “phenomenal result” and the development as a “gamechanger for the community”.

Catherine Connolly visits local event which trumps meeting with Donald The €7.5 million allocation is for An Tús Kingston, the first phase of the wider Kingston Park and Millers Lane Public Parks and Public Urban Realm Project.

Cllr Keane said the Kingston Lands section, immediately beside St John the Apostle National School, extends to around 15 acres, approximately eight acres of which is owned by Galway City Council. This section has been selected as the first phase of the wider development.

Planning consent for the overall Kingston and Millers Lane project has now been granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Councillors at the West Local Area Committee were told the council hopes to secure further funding to allow additional elements of the development to proceed.

The local authority will also have to make a contribution towards the project, with the council’s finance department currently reviewing its three-year capital programme.

Officials said the precise phasing of expenditure will become clearer as the project moves further through the procurement process, when more detailed construction costs will be available.

Cllr Keane said Galway City Council had applied for €11.5 million and was allocated €7.5 million.

At the committee meeting, he asked where the balance of the funding would come from, what contribution would be required from the local authority and whether councillors would be asked to make provision for the project in Budget 2027.

'Families carry shame through generations’ - Woman's justice for Galway men sentenced to death by hanging Describing Kingston as “shovel ready”, he also raised the possibility of getting the pitches delivered ahead of other elements of the development.

Speaking afterwards, he said the pitch could potentially be in use by early 2028 if that timetable is achieved.

The funding was announced by Housing Minister James Browne under the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund.

Galway West TD John Connolly (FF) welcomed the allocation, describing the investment as having the potential to be a “game changer” for the projects involved and the communities they serve.

The announcement was also welcomed at the West Local Area Committee meeting.

Cllr Donal Lyons (Ind) described it as a major funding announcement and said it was “very welcome for the west of the city”.

Cllr Clodagh Higgins (FG) said a “huge body of work” had gone on behind the scenes to bring the project to this point.

She described Kingston as a “passion project” which she had worked on since her election in 2019 and said securing planning permission marked “a superb day for sports in Galway”.

Cllr Higgins also stressed that the Millers Lane element of the overall plan should not be forgotten as the Kingston phase moves forward, and called for progress on both projects.

She described it as an “incredibly positive week” for Galway City Council and the greater Knocknacarra area.

The overall plans envisage Kingston and Millers Lane becoming major recreational and community amenities for the west of the city, with facilities catering to a range of sports and activities.