ACCELERATING HOUSING DELIVERY THROUGH
REGENERATION
A Galway County Council project has won a national housing award
Galway County Council’s regeneration project at Tobar Mhuire in Ahascragh was named a category winner in the ‘Building Communities’ category at the 2025 Community Housing Awards. The awards, organised by the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), recognise innovation and sustainability in public and community housing.
Led by Galway County Council and funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the project involved demolishing 10 existing homes, building 12 new units and refurbishing six others, along with associated site works. The project design team included Vincent Hannon Architects and Tom McNamara & Partners and the scheme was constructed by C&N Higgins Construction.
Cllr David Collins, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, said the award demonstrates the role of local authorities in supporting community renewal. “Tobar Mhuire is an example of how regeneration can deliver lasting benefits for residents and rural towns across the county. I want to congratulate the council’s housing department and the project design team on their work and on receiving national recognition,” he added.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said the project reflects the council’s wider strategy to accelerate housing delivery through regeneration while larger infrastructure projects remain in development.
“The transformation at Tobar Mhuire has turned a 1970s estate with ageing facades and overgrown spaces into a modern, resident-focused neighbourhood,” he stated. “The project shows what can be achieved through good design and collaboration, meeting the highest standards in usability, management and sustainability.”
According to Damien Mitchell, Director of Housing with Galway County Council: “The Tobar Mhuire scheme is a strong example of how targeted regeneration can deliver high-quality housing within existing communities. Funding support from the Department has been central to the project and we look forward to exploring similar developments across County Galway alongside our ongoing programme of new builds.”
Margaret O’Brien, a tenant of Tobar Mhuire, said the transformation of the estate “is remarkable” and that what was once outdated housing is now a “vibrant, welcoming community.” She added that she feels “incredibly lucky” to be part of the newly developed estate.
Kevin Greene of Topline, a building provider and agricultural merchant business adjacent to Tobar Mhuire, praised the positive impact the development has had on Ahascragh’s housing landscape. He commended the local authority’s practical approach to housing support and its collaboration with local businesses in delivering the scheme. “By encouraging local sourcing and supporting small enterprises, they
have helped to strengthen the economic and social fabric of our area,” he said.
Now in its 10th year, the Community Housing Awards is sponsored by IPB Insurance, which describes the programme as a celebration of “social, affordable and sustainable community housing,” highlighting collaboration between local authorities, housing bodies and state agencies.
Winners
Overall Winner
Richmond Place in Dublin 8 – Circle VHA
Public Choice Winner
Sómas, Galway City – Galway Simon
Building Community
Tobar Mhuire, Co Galway – Galway County Council
Cost Rental
De Verdon Place, Dublin 17 – Tuath
Creative Delivery
Bunratty Walk, Dublin 17 – Dublin City Council
Housing with Supports
Usher’s Island, Dublin 8 – Dublin Simon
Family Housing Project – Medium
Kearney’s Drive, Tullamore, Offaly – Oaklee
Family Housing Project – Large
Elanora Court, Dublin 12 – Respond
Family Housing Project – Small
Carnacon – Mayo County Council
Small Regeneration Project
Millfield Cottages – Respond
Large Regeneration Project
Richmond Place in Dublin 8 – Circle VHA
Leading the Climate Change Transition
Ballyogan Square, Dublin 18 – Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Margaret O’Leary Awards for Achievement in Community Housing
Norbert Hanlon of the Iveagh Trust Kevin Street Estate and Gerardine Corkey of Oaklee Housing
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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine