Heavy lift expertise on display as major Galway city centre development reaches key milestone
A Major Milestone for Crown Square
Galway’s skyline is changing. The Crown Square development—one of the largest urban regeneration projects ever undertaken in Galway City—has been transforming a former industrial site into a vibrant new quarter for the city.
Kavanagh Crane Hire was proud to play a key role in this landmark project, completing the dismantling of the first tower crane on the site. Working alongside the groundworks contractor and the main contractor, our team ensured the tower crane was safely and efficiently removed as the development progressed to its next phase.
The Crown Square Development
Crown Square is a transformative project for Galway City. Located on the former Crown Paints site, the development is bringing new life to a strategic city centre location—delivering new homes, commercial spaces, and public amenities that will serve Galway for generations.
Projects of this scale require extensive crane infrastructure. Tower cranes are essential for constructing multi-storey buildings, lifting everything from concrete panels and steel beams to formwork and materials. Once their work is done, dismantling them is just as critical—and just as complex.
The Dismantling Operation
Dismantling a tower crane is not a simple task. Unlike mobile cranes that can be driven away, tower cranes must be carefully taken apart piece by piece—often from the top down—using smaller cranes or specialised equipment.
The operation at Crown Square required:
- Careful planning – Every step of the dismantling process was mapped out in advance to ensure safety and efficiency
- Precision lifting – Each component had to be lowered safely to the ground without risk to personnel or surrounding structures
- Coordination – Working alongside the groundworks team and main contractor to ensure no disruption to ongoing site activities
- Experienced operators – Our NPORS and CPCS certified team handled the dismantling with the expertise these operations demand
The successful removal of the first tower crane marks a significant milestone for the project, allowing the next phase of construction to proceed.
Working in Galway City Centre
Galway City presents unique challenges for crane operations. Narrow streets, heritage considerations, and a bustling urban environment mean every lift must be planned with precision.
For the Crown Square project, our team worked within the constraints of a city centre site—managing access, coordinating with other contractors, and ensuring the dismantling operation was completed safely and on schedule.
This is exactly the kind of challenge Kavanagh Crane Hire is built for. With over 55 cranes in our national fleet and decades of experience working in urban environments across Ireland, we understand what it takes to deliver in complex city centre locations.
A Collaborative Effort
Major construction projects are always the result of collaboration between multiple teams. At Crown Square, we worked alongside:
- The groundworks contractor – Completing the essential groundwork that prepares the site for construction
- The main contractor – Managing the overall project and coordinating all trades and suppliers
- Our own team – Providing the crane expertise and equipment for the tower crane dismantling
“Great to see progress in Galway. We have been completing the groundworks on the Crown Square site. Kavanagh Crane Hire Ltd dismantled the first of the Tower cranes on the site.”
Supporting Galway’s Growth
Galway is one of Ireland’s fastest-growing cities, and projects like Crown Square are central to its future. The development will bring new homes, jobs, and amenities to the city centre—contributing to Galway’s reputation as a vibrant, forward-looking city.
Kavanagh Crane Hire is proud to support this growth. From tower crane erection and dismantling to heavy lift operations, we have the equipment, expertise, and experience to support Galway’s most ambitious projects.