Re: Re: New Developments in Galway City

Who’s bright idea was it to get Anthony Reddy’s to do the concert hall design design…. It’s an absolute and utter shocker – just what Galway dosen’t need – something fussy, flashy and “Iconic” parachuted in. This beautiful site needs something more subtle and controlled – the location is spectacular enough. If this ambitious scheme (which is badly badly needed for the city) is to go ahead then an international design competition would have to be a part of it – and hopefully someone who has some sort of understading and feeling for the city will actually win it…

The other two schemes are also needed badly, but they will happen eventually as the city develops. Ardaun is a great opportunity and double lines as far as Athenry are going to be absolutely essential – especially when the western rail corridor eventually opens up. i just hope that Galway gets the funding for the concert hall as it’s definitely fallen well behind other parts of the country in terms of facilities. With a proper concert hall, an art gallery, art house cinema and a new theatre and venue to replace the pleasant but rather inadequate Town Hall, Galway could really sell itself as a cultural destination all year round, not just during festival time. Thankfully there finally seems to be a move on to actually provide this arts infrastructure that is so badly needed.