Government offices at Áras an tSáile in Renmore, Galway, have officially reopened following an €11.467 million energy retrofit project aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions and creating a more sustainable workplace.
The reopening was marked on 24 August 2026 by Minister for Defence Helen McEntee and Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works Kevin “Boxer” Moran.
The major investment has transformed the 5,000-square-metre government building, which was originally constructed in 1989 and accommodates staff from the Department of Defence, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the National Shared Services Office.
The retrofit included extensive improvements to the building’s insulation, windows, roof and mechanical and electrical systems. A modern heating and ventilation system with heat recovery was installed, alongside photovoltaic solar panels designed to generate renewable electricity on site.
The project also introduced electric vehicle charging infrastructure and a modern bivalent heating system, helping to reduce energy consumption and operational carbon emissions while improving the building’s overall energy performance.
Minister Helen McEntee said the investment demonstrates how public buildings can be modernised while supporting Ireland’s climate ambitions. She added that the upgraded facility will provide staff with a more comfortable, efficient and sustainable working environment.
Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran said the project reflects the Office of Public Works’ commitment to reducing emissions and energy use across Ireland’s public building network.
Construction began in the first quarter of 2025 and was completed in the second quarter of 2026. The work was delivered in three phases while the building remained operational, with staff temporarily relocated within the facility as construction progressed.
The Áras an tSáile retrofit forms part of Ireland’s Public Sector Buildings’ Energy Retrofit Programme under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, supporting the country’s wider efforts to deliver a greener and more energy-efficient public sector.
