Galway Bay fm newsroom – City councillors have promised to support behind Druid Theatre’s 5 million euro expansion plans which include adding a new 240 seat theatre to the existing 90 seat venue
Artistic Director Garry Hynes and chairman Cathal Goan made a presentation to last night’s city council meeting
Garry Hynes confirmed that Druid has bought the next door building, Cactus Jacks, on Flood Street
Druid is planning to transform their new three storey block in time for the city’s tenure as European capital of culture in 2020
The existing 90-seat Mick Lally Theatre would remain as a smaller performance and rehearsal space while a larger 240-seat theatre would be built alongside it
Garry Hynes told councillors that with the combined 330 seat venue and its facilities there is no other theatre of this size in Galway neither now nor in the planning
She said the space would become a creative hub in the heart of the city which would also offer opportunities for the whole artistic community in Galway
Garry Hynes said they are planning that the estimated 5 million euro cost would be a split between public and private funding
Cllr Ollie Crowe said the city council needed to show leadership in this venture and help it happen by coming up with a funding plan
Councillors described Druid as iconic to Galway as Padraic O’Conaire and the Aran Islands and all praised its wonderful contribution to Galway’s cultural reputation
It was agreed to discuss their level of support for the Druid expansion plans at a later date