Galway Bay Rugby Club has warmly welcomed the decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála to approve the Kingston Park and Millers Lane Public Park Urban Realm Project, subject to seven conditions.

The approval represents a major step forward for a development that has the potential to transform sporting and community facilities in Galway. The project includes a rugby-sized 4G synthetic pitch at Kingston Park, together with floodlighting, changing facilities and a substantial sports and community building.

A Potential New Home for Galway Bay Rugby

For Galway Bay Rugby, the proposed facilities offer an exciting opportunity to establish a long-term base for the club and support its continued growth.

The approved plans include a full-size 4G multi-sport pitch designed to rugby dimensions, six floodlights and a two-storey sports and community building. The building will provide changing rooms, showers, toilets, a double-height community hall with retractable seating, activity rooms, a commentary booth, café, sensory room, first-aid room and storage.

The development also includes car and bicycle parking, a coach space and a set-down area, alongside wider improvements to the park and public realm.

While planning approval is now in place, the precise arrangements for club access, facility management and use of the pitches and clubhouse have yet to be finalised.

A Boost for Sport Across Galway

The wider project also includes new sporting facilities at Millers Lane, including a soccer-sized 4G pitch and a hockey-sized 2G pitch, both floodlit.

Galway Bay Rugby is delighted to see the development progressing for Connacht Hockey, Galway Hockey and Bohemians Football Club. The club also looks forward to exploring opportunities for Galway Rapparees GAA Rounders Club within the wider development.

The project has the potential to provide a major boost for a range of sports, creating better opportunities for players of all ages and abilities while delivering valuable amenities for the wider community.

Funding and Delivery the Next Steps

Planning approval is a significant milestone, but further work remains before construction can begin. The project must comply with the conditions attached to the approval, including environmental protection measures, ecological oversight, a Construction Environmental Management Plan and archaeological monitoring.

The approval also requires floodlighting to switch off automatically by 10pm and to be designed to prevent upward light spill and glare affecting nearby public roads.

Securing the funding required to deliver the development will now be a key priority. Galway Bay Rugby hopes that local and national politicians will continue to support the project and work with Galway City Council and the relevant stakeholders to help bring it to fruition.

The club looks forward to continuing its engagement with Galway City Council and the other sporting organisations involved as the project moves towards the next stage.

Planning reference: ACP-323873-25. Approval dated 7 September 2026, subject to seven conditions.