Funding Boost of €3.8 Million for Nun’s Island Theatre Renovation

Nun's Island Theatre will be transformed into a creative centre for the arts sector following a €3.8 million funding boost.

Known as CreativeSpace, it will become a multi-functional venue for rehearsals, studios, meetings, events and administration.

The project involves the complete refurbishment of the vacant Church House under the EU Town Centre First Heritage Revival (THRIVE) scheme, linking the two buildings.

Nun’s Island Theatre was built circa 1835 and is a former Presbyterian Church. The Church House at the back, also known as ‘The Manse’ was constructed between 1855 and 1872 and originally served as a home for the church’s various ministers.

In more recent years, it has been used for the arts in Galway, hosting the Galway International Arts Festival, Babaró International Arts Festival for Children, and Galway Arts Centre. 

The need to revitalise the theatre in this way was identified through public consultation by Galway City Council in partnership with UrbanLab at University of Galway.

Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane has welcomed the funding stating:

 “I’m delighted to welcome this funding for Nun’s Island Theatre, which will bring a much-loved but underused city centre site into more active use as a creative centre for the people of Galway."

The aim of the initiative is to promote the location as Galway's 'go to' venue for emerging theatre and performing companies at affordable rates.

Following the revamp, CreativeSpace will offer Galway’s artistic community a place for rehearsal and performance, while promoting innovative and experimental work by emerging companies, individuals and minority communities in Galway.

Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council commented that:

“The long-term aim of the CreativeSpace concept is to consolidate Galway Arts Centre’s position as a key resource for artists. 

"This will be achieved by providing space at affordable rates to enable Galway’s artists to bring their projects to stage; and by nurturing amateur artists through our comprehensive youth led programme.”

The CreativeSpace project will promote the values and working principles of the New European Bauhaus – an initiative of the European Union – ensuring the project sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, inclusive and accessible.

THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland (40%) and the European Union (60%) under the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027. Further information is available on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly website www.nwra.ie   

Images: Illustration of CreativeSpace: Nun’s Island Theatre with Church House to the rear. Visualisations: Galway City Council.