Major jobs boost as construction resumes on NUI Galway campus

By Katie Finnegan

Published in SIN Newspaper - January 2012

The Quad, NUIG

There was a major boost for employment in the West of Ireland today as NUI Galway announced the beginning of five construction projects on its city-centre campus. An estimated 400 jobs are expected to be created in the construction sector as work begins on five new buildings valued at €75 million. The projects were being developed last year when construction company, McNamara went into receivership.

Galway-based contractor JJ Rhattigan Construction won the tender for the construction works following a rigorous tendering process for the contract. They have been awarded the contract to complete three of the buildings including an arts, humanities and social sciences center, beside the existing James Hardiman library, which aims to integrate work in the humanities, digital cultures, creative industries, business, social sciences, human rights, advocacy and public policy. All three should be completed by late 2012/early 2013, according to the university.

Works will also begin on two buildings dedicated to biomedical science research – one on campus along the river Corrib at Dangan, and one on the grounds of University Hospital, Galway. JJ Rhatigan Co will also be overseeing these projects. Together, these two facilities will enable NUI Galway to build on its existing strength in the biomedical sciences area.

Arts Millennium Building - NUIG

An €8 million extension to the arts millennium building, where an expanding school of psychology will be located is also being developed by the company. Construction on this has already begun, with access to some areas of the college, such as the Arts Millenium car park being cut off.

University president Jim Browne said he was delighted “strategically important projects” were underway, bringing an immediate benefit to the local construction sector.

“Concentrating resources on biomedical science and arts, humanities and social sciences research at NUIG will have a major impact on the medical technologies and the creative arts industries in the west of Ireland,” Dr Browne said.
Vice President for capital projects at NUI Galway, Keith Warnock says the developments are no longer victim to the recession. He also said the investment in “world-class facilities” for students involved spending an estimated €750,000 a week on campus development.

JJ Rhatigan was recently responsible for the redevelopment of the on-campus restaurant “An Bhialinn”. An Bialann is located under the podium slab to the front, or north face of the James Hardiman Library, a protected structure in NUI Galway.

Meanwhile, a new partnership between Druid Theatre Company, Galway Arts Festival, Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe and NUIG will see the groups bringing their expertise to students applying for a new course in performance studies.
Well-known director Garry Hynes is heading up the four-year BA in Drama, Theatre and Performance studies. 
The seminars will involve acting and directing, while the workshops and internships will be with professional theatre companies and arts organisations.

The first intake of students -- through the CAO process -- will begin next September.