A group of houses of historical value at Galway docks, one of which was the birthplace of author Pádraic Ó Conaire, have been designated a special architectural protection status.
The houses at 1 to 6 New Dock Street consist of a terrace of Victorian buildings overlooking the commercial docks and are the only remaining 19th century buildings on the street.
City councillors voted to designate the houses as an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) to ensure their protection, noting that No 1 was the birthplace of Ó Conaire.
Director of Services for Housing and Planning, Ciarán Hayes stressed their historical importance in terms of the overall streetscape of the docks.
He said the ACA status would not prevent owners from making necessary improvements. Senior planner Ms Caroline Phelan explained that the ACA designation had been introduced under the 2000 Development Act and was a less onerous designation than the Record of Protected Structures.
City Heritage officer, Mr Jim Higgins said the buildings were of historical value. He said the original brick walls, architraves, doorways, floors, fireplaces and shutters were still standing.
He pointed out that 'Padraig's Place' pub had been renovated and its original features kept, and there was no reason that the other buildings in the group could not be allowed to develop and thrive.
