Galway Castle given new lease of life after funding

Substantial work has already been carried out on the city's three castles

Published 31st Aug 2026, 16:28 BST Menlo Castle | Local Substantial work has already been carried out on the city's three castles 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.

Works at Menlo Castle are set to go ahead this year after an additional €100,000 was provided for the historic site, according to former Mayor of Galway , Cllr Frank Fahy.

A Galway City Council report had raised concerns over the future of the works following a €350,000 cut to funding for the city's castles.

At the time of the report, a €130,000 grant had been secured for Menlo Castle, with no further spending planned outside of that funding.

Cllr Fahy said that another €100,000 has since been provided, bringing the total available this year to €230,000 and allowing work to continue.

The Council Executive had originally included €350,000 in its Draft Budget 2026 for continued investment in Galway's three historic castles – Menlo, Terryland and Merlin – with a particular focus on Menlo.

That money was removed as part of changes made when councillors adopted the 2026 budget.

A later council report warned that pausing the works could derail plans for Menlo Castle as a heritage and tourist attraction.

It also warned that further deterioration could cause permanent damage to the castle, leaving the council to face a bigger repair bill in the future.

Council management had recommended that no works go ahead in 2026.

Read More Galway Ring Road takes another major step forward as three vacancies announced Galway community alert issued to residents as 'gardai made aware' New Galway pub's opening postponed as update issued 'Sad day for parish' as Galway priest says goodbye after 20 years However, the report noted that a €130,000 grant had been secured, and the council's Corporate Policy Group (CPG) agreed that no further money would be spent outside of that grant.

The funding, awarded through the Government's Community Monuments Fund, will allow conservation works at Menlo Castle to continue, according to Galway City Council.

Cllr Fahy said substantial work has already been carried out on the city's three castles, with works at Terryland and Merlin now ‘substantially complete’.

“I am very positive about the work that has been done at Menlo Castle over the last ten years,” he said. “It has taken a long time and well in excess of €1 million has already been spent.”

Cllr Fahy said he initiated the project while serving as Mayor in 2015, with funding provided over the years for work at Menlo, Terryland and Merlin castles.

Menlo Castle has since undergone a number of phases of conservation work aimed at securing the historic structure.

The castle also got €130,000 from the Community Monuments Fund in 2025, towards repairs to its internal spine wall and work on its eastern façade.

Cllr Fahy believes the next major project should focus on Menlo's outbuildings and opening up more of the site to visitors. He said there is potential to develop the outbuildings for uses including a café or restaurant and craft shop, while also improving access to the castle from the River Corrib.

“The plan will be delivered,” he said. “We look forward to exploring the tourist potential of developing the outbuildings and access from the river. It would be a massive tourist attraction.

“I can see huge potential for developing the outhouses and bringing them back into some kind of use.”

Cllr Fahy said he discussed the future of the site with Galway City Council Chief Executive Leonard Cleary, who previously headed up tourism development at Clare County Council.

He pointed to projects in Clare, including Vandeleur Walled Garden in Kilrush and Loop Head Lighthouse.

“Thousands visit the area, and yet there is no advantage for them,” he said.

“They can see very little. It would be ideal if they had a tour, discovered the history and then they could sit, have lunch or a coffee and spend time there.

“It would be great if it could be a stop-off point for the Corrib Princess. Passengers could go up the river and have lunch at Menlo Castle.”