Garbally House 'could be the Galway answer to Westport House'
A 17th century house and sprawling estate in Ballinasloe could be transformed into something akin to that in Westport – which attracts thousands of visitors on an annual basis.
It has been suggested that Galway County Council acquire Garbally House in Ballinasloe, adjacent to the college, and transform it into a major tourist attraction in the town.
However, members of Ballinasloe Municipal Council were told that it would take more than €4 million to develop and would then have to be staffed and funded in order for it to be maintained.
The house and 10-acre estate is owned by the Catholic Church who are understood to be willing to offer the property to the local authority for a nominal sum.
And according to a local councillor, it has the potential to be “the jewel in the crown” of the West of Ireland if developed into a tourist facility, similar to Westport House in Mayo.
Cllr Timmy Broderick (Ind) asked that the house, which was built around 1820, be acquired by the Council for tourism potential purposes.
The Kilconnell publican described it as “an opportunity site” that would be the “making of Ballinasloe” if it was developed. He added that it could be acquired for as little as one euro.
Cllr Broderick said that Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara was acquired by the County Council for development potential and there was no reason why the same could not be applied in terms of Garbally House.
His views were echoed by Cllr Declan Geraghty (Ind) from Williamstown, who attended Garbally College, saying that the development of the main house, library, steps and system of tunnels would make a huge attraction on its own.
“We have to think big because we have a greenway coming here, the Suck Valley Way is on our doorstop and various other attractions that would complement each other. It would be tragic to see it go into rack and ruin,” Cllr Geraghty added.
However, Director of Services Liam Hanrahan informed councillors that consultants had been engaged and came up with a figure of more than €4 million to renovate.
But he pointed out that it was not only the cost of carrying out the renovation works that applied, it was a case of who would run it and maintain it into the future.
Mr Hanrahan made the point that it could not be compared to Westport House, which he said was privately owned and operated. “It would take a considerable number of staff to run it even if it was developed,” he added.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Dermot Connolly (SF) described it as a big estate that could not be afforded by Galway County Council but believed that there were other agencies such as Failte Ireland that could be in a financial position to acquire it.
Cllr Evelyn Parsons (Ind) said that Ballinasloe did not have a public park and that this was an opportunity to acquire one. She said the site had huge potential.
It was agreed that a report into its possible potential would be compiled by Galway County Council.