The sod has been turned on a new social housing development in Clifden, which will see 30 new energy efficient homes built in the Connemara town.
Elected Members, representatives of the contractor McRoy Limited and senior housing officials from Galway County Council gathered at the site of the development on the Westport Road for the ceremony.
The turnkey development is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2026 and will comprise a mixture of 1, 2 and 3-bedroomed homes.
The local authority scheme is the second to be developed in Clifden recently following the completion of the Gort na Greine and Ard Aoibhinn apartment development at Gort na gCloch, which was the subject of an open viewing for the local community on Friday.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien said, “Today’s launch of 30 new social homes is most welcome. This development will provide secure, high-quality homes which will make a real difference in the lives of families and individuals.”
“This is Housing for All at work on the ground. It is thanks to the excellent work of local authorities such as Galway County Council that we are now delivering more social homes than we have in decades.”
Councillor Ollie Turner, Leas Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway added, “Increasing our social housing stock is of critical importance to the future sustainability of our rural communities.”
“I look forward to the completion of this and other schemes which will provide much needed homes for people in rural towns and villages across County Galway.”
Cllr Gerry King, Leas Cathaoirleach of the Connemara Municipal District said, “This new social housing development is very much welcomed by the nine Elected Members of the Municipal District of Connemara and those who live in this largely rural district.”
“The delivery of these new homes will enable families and individuals to become valuable members of the community where they will help sustain the town’s schools, businesses, clubs and local services.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council said that Galway County Council has embarked on an “ambitious programme” of building new social housing, with developments planned for Athenry, Portumna, Ardrahan, Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Tuam to join those completed in Glemaddy and Clifden.
“The staff of the Housing section are working hard to increase the amount of social housing construction delivered by the Local Authority and we hope to be able to announce new schemes under the Government’s Social Housing Investment Programme in the near future,” added Mr. Conneally.
