Galway County Council has signed a contract with Mannion Build Ltd. for the redevelopment of three vacant buildings in Moylough village, with four new homes due to be completed by May 2028.
The €982,556 project at Plás Stiofáin, between Cheevers Pub and Moylough Post Office, will see two three-bedroom houses and two two-bedroom apartments constructed behind the retained front facade of the existing terrace.
Two of the buildings date from around 1820 and are listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Their decorative window and door surrounds, traditional shopfront and other architectural features are recognised as an important part of the village streetscape.
The contract was signed at Áras an Chontae on Wednesday, 28 October. Completion is expected in May 2028.
Cllr Andrew Reddington, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, said the development was a major project for Moylough.
“Town and village renewal is a key priority for Galway County Council. Bringing vacant buildings back into use helps breathe new life into our communities and gets people living in the centres of our towns and villages.
“This project will preserve an important part of Moylough's built heritage while providing four new homes. It is about protecting the character of the village and ensuring these buildings have a future.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said the development reflected the Council's commitment to regenerating older buildings while protecting their heritage.
“We have a responsibility to make the best use of existing buildings and sites in our towns and villages. Retaining the facade at Plás Stiofáin will preserve an important feature of Moylough's streetscape while allowing the buildings behind it to be redeveloped to modern housing standards.
“Working with elected members and the local community, delivering projects such as this can make a real difference to the appearance and vitality of our villages, bringing vacant properties back into use and creating places for people to live.”
The works will involve demolishing the existing structures behind the facade and constructing the two houses within the footprint of the eastern buildings. The apartments will occupy the western section, with one on the ground floor and one on the first floor. All four homes will have private open space to the rear.
Galway County Council's Housing Department is responsible for the architectural design, with SDS Design Engineers providing civil and structural engineering services, Lawler Consulting Engineers providing mechanical and electrical engineering services and CQS Group acting as quantity surveyor.
Damien Mitchell, Director of Housing at Galway County Council, said the design had been developed to balance the retention of the historic buildings with the provision of suitable modern homes.
“The buildings are an important part of Moylough's architectural heritage, so retaining the front facade is a central element of the project. The design will respect the existing building heights and streetscape, with chimneys retained where possible.
“It is an ambitious project that combines heritage preservation with modern housing design. The aim is to safeguard the character of the buildings while securing their long-term future as homes.”
ENDS
Pictured at Áras an Chontae for the contract signing for the redevelopment of three vacant buildings in Moylough village (front row, left to right). Karen O’Donnell - Galway County Council, Muhammad Khizar Barakzai – SDS Design Engineers, Cyril Mannion – Mannion Build, Chief Executive Liam Conneally, Cathaoirleach Andrew Reddington, Councillor Michael Connolly, Ciara McDonagh - Galway County Council, Alan Brogan - Galway County Council, Kevin Gavin - Galway County Council
The facade of the three vacant buildings in Moylough that are being transformed into new homes. Photo credit: Galway County Council.
The plans for the three vacant buildings in Moylough that are being transformed into new homes. Image credit: Galway County Council.