Broadband Connection Points will provide vital hubs around county Galway for blackspot areas during the roll out of the National Broadband Plan, according to Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney.
Minister Canney’s comments came as he visited two Broadband Connection Points – known as BCPs – in his constituency at Ballinakill National School and Leitrim Community Centre, Kylebrack.
Minister Canney said: The BCPs around county Galway will provide a lifeline for communities, many of which are in notorious broadband blackspots.
“They have been specifically selected by local authorities and their Broadband Officers to provide public Wifi and other facilities in advance of the main deployment of the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
“There will be nearly 300 BCPs around the country and they will all be on stream by the end of 2020.
“The BCPs are not a substitute for fibre to the home but they will complement the NBP roll out to 1.1 million people in more than 500,000 premises. In some cases the BCPs will offer hot-desking arrangements to facilitate remote working.
“The full NBP roll out will transform Rural Ireland, opening up tremendous opportunities for economic growth, investment and jobs, as well as improving so many aspects of our personal lives, such as security, health and education.”
The Galway connections points are at: Cahergal National School, Cortoon Community Centre and Brownsgrove National School, Tuam; Ballinakill National School and Leitrim Community Centre, Kylebrack; St Colman’s National School, Tierneevin, Gort; St Mary’s National School, Kippanagh, Clonberne; the Old Secondary School, Glenamaddy; Kilcroan National School, Williamstown; Tiernascragh National School, Ballycrissane, Ballinasloe; Scoil Caoimháin, Inis Oirr; Lettermullan Community Centre; Comhar na nOileán, Inis Oirr; Briarhill National School, Ballintemple; Recess Post Office; Inishbofin Community Centre; Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meáin; Kilronan Library, Inis Mór; St Joseph’s National School, Barna; and Mweenish National School.
Broadband Officers in each Local Authority consulted with local stakeholders to identify the best locations for the BCPs, which can be found in a mix of schools, community centres, tourism locations and some business parks.
Minister Canney added: “I want to acknowledge the hard work of the Broadband Officers in Galway City and County Councils, who not only work to improve our broadband services but also seek out every opportunity there may be to enhance our mobile phone networks.”

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
November 25 2019