New €93m estimate for Crawford Gallery redevelopment is less than originally forecast

Arts minister says work is 'a once-in-a-multi-generation investment' as Cabinet also hears proposal for aid for victims of recent Cork flooding 

Crawford Art Gallery on Emmet Place in Cork. File picture: Larry Cummins

Cork's Crawford Art Gallery will be redeveloped at a cost of just over €93m, ministers have been told.

Arts minister Patrick O'Donovan told Cabinet on Wednesday that it is his intention to proceed with "a once-in-a-multi-generation investment by the State to redevelop and revitalise" the landmark heritage building in Cork city centre. 

Mr O'Donovan told ministers that the full capital cost of the Crawford Art Gallery redevelopment project is now estimated at €93.1m which includes Vat and a provision for contingency.

He told ministers that €6.5m has already been spent to date. An original estimate of €28.86m was arrived at in 2020, prior to the planning and design phase, and the project has changed substantially since then, ministers were told. 

Mr O'Donovan said there has been considerable construction inflation since the Preliminary Business Case and that the project went out to tender to the market with the final estimate reflecting the pricing tendered by the market.

It is anticipated that contracts will be signed in mid-December with the main contractor starting on site in February 2026. The estimated completion date is in Q2 2028.

Euro 2028 costs 

Tánaiste Simon Harris updated Cabinet on the cost of Ireland's hosting of the Euro 2028 football tournament. He said the costs are now lower than originally planned. 

“For Ireland, the announcement that Dublin will host seven matches is a huge boost — bringing major international attention, visitors and investment to our country. The latest analysis confirms that the tournament will deliver €449m in socioeconomic benefits, including a direct boost of €382m to our economy. Lasting impacts in participation, volunteering and community pride are valued at a further €67m.”

The Tánaiste added that with total projected costs now at €93m — slightly less than the original estimate — the benefits will far outweigh the investment.

Cork flood relief proposed 

Also at Cabinet, enterprise minister Peter Burke asked the Government to approve an emergency humanitarian aid scheme for damage caused by flooding in Cork in recent days.

The Government is also being asked to approve an allocation of €350,000 for the scheme.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the census will take place on May 9 2027. New questions proposed for inclusion include gender, sexual orientation, mental health, form of highest qualification, and where a household’s car/s are parked. 

The Census will have an online form option, and will now count where people are normally resident, rather than where they are on Census night.