Galway councillors have agreed to develop a cultural quarter around the historic Spanish Arch area.
They unanimously agreed the plan at a meeting last night.
The cultural quarter would include the Galway City Museum, Spanish Arch, the soon to be refurbished Druid Theatre and the new Art House cinema to be built across the road from the museum.
Councillor Niall Ó Brolchain, who proposed the motion, said Galway’s credentials as a city of culture were “second to none” and that it was important to ensure arts groups, businesses and community groups get a say in how it is developed.
"I believe that the potential of the area is enormous if we can get things right", he said.
“It is important that we get a look and feel to the area that we are all happy with and this can only be achieved by careful and considerate planning."