An Post announces Galway city development project
31 March 2021
Under the terms of An Post’s plan, a block of land including its Eglinton Street post office and former garage space linking with nearby William Street will be opened up for development.
The project will
- deliver a new modern post office for the people of Galway
- provide a new civic arts space for the City and
- unlock the potential of the Eglinton St/William St sites at a crucial time for Galway and An Post.
Welcoming today’s announcement, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Hildegarde Naughton TD, who has responsibility for An Post, said “this new development, once complete, will become a hub of activity which will benefit all walks of life in Galway. An exciting move from An Post, this location is a hidden gem and one which I am certain will unlock the potential of Eglinton Street and its environs. I am particularly excited for the arts community, and the team behind the Galway International Arts Festival, which have already demonstrated boundless initiative at this location in recent times with the support of An Post.
Peter Quinn, An Post’s Chief Financial Officer said “An Post, having been central to the economic life of Galway and its people for generations, is delighted to be part of the next phase of the City’s development; our Eglinton Street Post Office and adjoining property will be key to the planned development.
“This announcement comes at a time when post offices are developing as important service centres for individual customers and SMEs, particularly in the provision of Community Banking, financial services and the growth of ecommerce.”
In 2019 and 2020 the vacant An Post property provided a highly successful exhibition space for both the Galway Arts Festival and the TULCA Festival of Visual Arts.
There has been a post office at Eglinton Street since the 1850s serving the needs of the City’s people and visitors. Among the former staff there was the poet Máirtín Ó Direáin who worked in Eglinton Street during the 1920s and 30s.