Galway Airport bids branded 'a farce' as councillors claim they were kept in the dark

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune ahead of last week's Galway County Council meeting, Cllr Charity described the handling of the submissions as “entirely unsatisfactory”.

“The whole process has been entirely unsatisfactory, with members effectively kept in the dark, and generalisations presented as information,” he said.

At the council meeting, he went even further and said the process was “a farce”.

He asked why a masterplan promised years earlier had not been delivered and said that the site's designation in the County Development Plan did not amount to a masterplan.

He also raised concerns about additional proposals submitted outside the original process.

“We are getting emails about an aviation school,” he said. “Who is assessing that?”

“It seems to me we need more than a workshop.”

A joint meeting of the Corporate Policy Groups (CPGs) of Galway City and County Councils is being organised, with officials to recommend a workshop for all elected members afterwards.

Cllr Mary Hoade (FF) called for the workshop to take place immediately after the CPG meeting, saying it was time for action rather than more talking.

Cllr Noel Thomas (Ind Ire) expressed concern about discussions being confined to the CPGs, which represent only a proportion of elected members.

He described the future of the airport as one of the biggest decisions councillors would face and called for a full and open discussion involving all 39 county councillors, even if it meant spending days debating the matter.

Cllr Dave Collins (FG) sought sight of the expert panel's recommendations and questioned the timelines for delivering the next stage.

He stressed that any sale of the lands would be a reserved function of councillors, who needed to be fully informed before making such a decision.

Chair of the Council's SPC on Planning and Economic Development, Cllr Donagh Killilea (FF), also expressed his dissatisfaction to the Connacht Tribune.

“I am dissatisfied that we as councillors did not get an overview of what submissions were offered and if any could have worked through an advanced format,” he said.

“We can't spend years talking about it, have feasibility studies and still have no progress made.”

Cllr Michael Connolly (FF) told the Connacht Tribune that members had received emails confirming the process was complete but had not been shown the submissions.

“It is a very valuable site and just leaving it there to rot is not an option,” he said.

At the meeting, Cllr Peter Feeney (FG) questioned the lack of a clear vision for the site from the outset.

“Don't ask a question unless you know the answer,” he said.

“We asked for an EOI and engaged an expert panel and we didn't know what we wanted. We are at the end of the process.”

Party colleague Cllr Eileen Mannion echoed his concerns, saying “we didn't know what we were looking for”.

At the meeting, Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Regan (FF) said it was “high time that members take control”.

“It is in the county and it is our land,” he said. “The ball is back in our court.”

A Council divided:

However, councillors remain divided over what should ultimately happen to the lands, with some arguing that a return to commercial aviation is no longer realistic.

Independent Cllr Tomás Welby said members had to accept that Galway would not have a commercial airport again, given the proximity of Shannon and Knock.

“We can't say we will ever have a commercial airport,” he said.

“It is not going to happen. Let's call a spade a spade. We have been sitting on this for far too long. It was a coup to get it and now it is a millstone around our neck. We need to move on very quickly and set out a stall.”

Cllr Eileen Mannion (FG) also highlighted the limitations of the runway, saying it could not accommodate Ryanair or Aer Lingus flights and could not be extended.

However, other councillors warned against permanently losing the site's aviation potential.

Comhairleoir Tomás Ó Curraoín (Rep SF) described the process as “a total disgrace” and said the airport should be retained and brought back for passengers.

Cllr Tomás Grealish (Ind) argued that it “needs to be kept as an airport”.

Speaking separately to the Connacht Tribune, Cllr Laurie Harney (FG) warned against losing the possibility of aviation returning.

“I do not know what is to happen in future, but if it is gone it cannot be replaced,” he said.

Madness and lack of clarity:

Independent Cllr Geraldine Donohue said it was “madness not to keep air capacity in the county”.

She said it was “better to be looking at it than looking for it” and hoped the site could be considered for seasonal and short-term flights.

“It is good to be fussy,” she said, “but we need to get it right.”

Independent Cllr Dr Evelyn Francis Parsons said there was a “lack of clarity around what is happening with the airport” and councillors needed to be more involved.

She said the use of the airport for aeromedical services should be explored, which would give University Hospital Galway “more scope for transplants and donor-recipients”.

She also suggested future drone operations should be considered and said councillors “need to have more sight” of what was being explored.

Independent Ireland Cllr Declan Kelly also said the airport would “never be open to major commercial traffic” but that he would be “happy” to see the runway retained for “select people” as Galway has become “an important business hub”.

Meanwhile, Cllr Shaun Cunniffe (Ind Ire) called for a broader vision for the lands, including community, sporting and recreational facilities.

There was some laughter in the chamber when the Council's youngest member, Cllr Cillian Keane (FF) admitted he did not remember a time when the site operated as an airport.

“That will tell you the reality of how long it is there,” he said.

Officials said the aim was to secure the best long-term outcome for Galway and avoid a decision that might later be regretted.

Galway City and County Councils purchased the 118.2-acre site in 2013. An Expressions of Interest process launched in April 2025 attracted six submissions, but none met all the required criteria.

The expert panel has recommended establishing a new delivery entity to oversee the site's future development.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme