A new public viewing point is among one of the renovations happening at the Galway City Museum as construction begins on a €19 million redevelopment of the landmark building.
Galway City Council has confirmed that construction has commenced on the major refurbishment and Corner House extension project at the museum, with Carey Building Contractors appointed to deliver the works.
The council’s Project Development Team will oversee governance, communications and stakeholder engagement throughout the construction phase.
The project is a collaborative initiative between Galway City Council and Fáilte Ireland.
The redevelopment includes a new three-storey extension to the existing museum, providing additional exhibition galleries and education spaces. A new viewing platform at the top of the building will also offer panoramic views over Spanish Arch and the River Corrib.
The project received a major boost in May 2026 when Fáilte Ireland announced €12.6 million in funding towards the redevelopment. Fáilte Ireland projects the development on the museum will welcome nearly one million more visitors through its doors. This extra economic activity will support directly and indirectly 127 jobs annually across tourism and supporting sectors, they said.
“This redevelopment is a transformative investment in Galway’s cultural infrastructure,” Galway City Council Chief Executive Leonard Cleary said. “The expanded Museum will offer new opportunities for learning, interpretation, and community engagement, while also enhancing the visitor experience and supporting the wider tourism economy.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme.