A new documentary by Galway Talks, broadcast on Galway Bay FM, is shining a spotlight on the profound emotional toll of the proposed Galway City Ring Road. Titled ‘RingRoaded’, the documentary explores the lived experiences of some of the 54 families whose homes lie directly on its route.
They have spent more than a decade in a planning limbo, unable to move forward with their lives, unsure whether their homes will ultimately be demolished to make way for the long-discussed infrastructure project. Through personal testimony, RingRoaded examines what it means to live under the constant shadow of uncertainty.
Families speak candidly about the anxiety, stress and disruption caused by years of unanswered questions, stalled plans, and the sense of being forgotten in a process dominated by maps, routes and legal processes.
The Galway City Ring Road has been the subject of prolonged planning, appeals and legal challenges, leaving affected residents trapped in a state of ongoing insecurity.
Many have delayed renovations, postponed retirement plans, or put family decisions on hold, fearing any investment in homes that may one day be compulsorily purchased.
“This documentary isn’t about arguing for or against a road,” says Galway Talks’ John Morley.
“It’s about acknowledging the human cost of long-term uncertainty, and giving a voice to families who have lived with this hanging over them for years.”
The documentary, produced and edited by Sarah Grealish, aims to highlight the real-world consequences of drawn-out infrastructure planning and Compulsory Purchase Orders.
RingRoaded will be broadcast tomorrow Friday February 13 at 11am on Galway Bay FM and will be available as a podcast on streaming services.
