Athenry News & Views Spring 2026

Athenry News & Views

Galway County Council News

By: Cllr. Peter Feeney

ATHENRY CAMOGIE UPDATE It has been an amazing couple of months for Athenry Camogie Club. We’ll never forget the All-Ireland Club Final in Croke Park, the replay in Thurles, and the homecoming at The Square. These were incredible performances, showing a “never say die” attitude from a team we are all so proud of. In recent weeks, the green light has also been given for a new home for the club at Gortnahown. Galway County Council has granted permission for three grass pitches, an all-weather pitch, and associated sports development works. This is a huge achievement in an excellent location and the result of years of dedication by the club. Great credit is due to everyone involved, especially the development committee, whose work will benefit generations of The Ring Road section currently under construction at Ballygurrane has received €2 million in funding from the Department of Transport through Galway County Council. The section is expected to open mid-year. An application to the Housing Activation Fund is also being prepared to support the next phase of the road, extending from the Tuam Road junction towards the Monivea Road. This development aims to open lands for housing in the Ballydavid South and Caheroyan areas. CANTON HALL REFURBISHMENT Athenry Community Council has been awarded €42,000 in grant funding to refurbish Canton Hall on Church Street. The funding comes from the Department of Community and Rural Development through Galway County Council under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. This funding will support detailed surveying, design work, and preliminary refurbishment works. A further funding application will follow to fully renovate the building, which is over 100 years old. young people in Athenry. NORTHERN RING ROAD

When completed, it will provide a valuable community space. Credit is due to the Community Council, Parish, and Diocese for advancing this important initiative. PLAYGROUND UPGRADE The Athenry Playground Group has done tremendous work developing plans to refurbish the playground. This project involved close cooperation with Athenry Community Council and securing funding from Galway Rural Development, bridging finance from the Western Development Commission, and Local Property Tax funding from Galway County Council. Great credit is due to the hardworking committee who led fundraising, design, and tendering work. The completed project will stand as a fitting tribute to their efforts. CROSSING AT CAHEROYAN Late last year, €15,000 in discretionary funding was allocated towards the construction of a pedestrian crossing at Caheroyan near Quinn’s Funeral Home. Consultation has recently been launched, and the crossing is expected to be installed shortly. This crossing will slow traffic approaching the town and railway bridge and allow pedestrians to cross safely — particularly

important with two new schools scheduled for construction nearby. Further crossings are planned as the town grows.The Ard Aoibhinn area and Raheen Road crossings are expected to be addressed as part of an Active Travel scheme. The recently completed lighting of the New Line junction crossing was long delayed; this issue was raised with ESB representatives at a recent Council meeting. ROADS FUNDING Recent transport funding announcements have included several welcome safety projects: €75,000 for safety works on the Monivea Road at Caheroyan €50,000 for works at Casey’s Cross €30,000 for improvements at the Cemetery Cross approach These works will slow traffic approaching the town and improve safety for residents and road users.

Roadworks at the Dexcom Roundabout

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