There are two platforms at Galway Ceannt; Platform 1 and Platform 2. Platform 2 can only be reached via Platform 1. Platform 1 is used for terminating/departing trains to Dublin Heuston while Platform 2 (a much shorter platform) is used for departing Limerick services.
The services which are provided at the station include ticket machines, a booking office, heated waiting rooms, toilets, a café (Starbucks), vending machines, and a telephone box.
The station also serves as the Bus Éireann depot for Galway City.
In 2007, CIÉ proposed a series of updates to the station as part of a projected new urban quarter development in the area.[2] This proposed development, referred to as the "Ceannt Station Quarter", was projected to cost €1 billion and include the development of offices and a hotel as well as "four rail platforms, 24 bus bays, 500 car spaces, dedicated taxi drop off and collect facilities, and 300 cycle spaces" at the station.[3] This CIÉ project had been "abandoned" by 2012.[4][5]
In 2013, 1 million euros was reportedly allocated on a "bus/rail/taxi interchange at the station, with widened footpaths, 'properly designed' bus bays, and revised taxi arrangements". In addition, approximately €100,000 was allocated for design work on an "interchange area for bus and rail passengers [..] a seated waiting area, retail units, vending area and a new office for bus inspectors".[6] By 2014, an additional €600,000 was allocated for further work on the interchange area,[7] and a related planning application was submitted to Galway City Council.[8]
In early 2020, it was reported that a planning application, overlapping somewhat with the earlier "Ceannt Station Quarter" proposal, was due to be lodged with the city council.[9] This proposed development, titled "Augustine Hill", would cover an eight-acre site around Ceannt Station "if planning permission is granted".[9] While planning was conditionally approved, in 2021 the developer appealed the removal of several buildings (and the reduction in height of others) from a "scaled-back version" of the Augustine Hill proposal.[10] In mid-2023, while approving permission for much of the project, An Bord Pleanála upheld the decision that "some residential aspects of the design [..] are not suitable and cannot be built".[11]
