The Fishery Tower Museum is now a major feature on the Galway tourist map. It has attracted many visitors in the three years since it has been opened. The knowledge that the building might have been lost forever had its sharp decline not been arrested by Galway Civic Trust and its Community Employment Scheme is, we believe, sufficient proof that not all conservation projects have to involve larger and more spectacular historic buildings. It is often the smaller architectural "gems", such as the Fishery Tower, which, by their charm and strategic importance, contribute so much to the architectural and cultural landscape of our towns and cities. We are exceptionally proud of our work on the Fishery Tower, as indeed are our FÁS workers, who have acquired invaluable skills in the course of their work on the Tower. These workers undertook work in line with the best conservation practice, and using building methods which would guarantee the ongoing structural integrity of the building for many years to come.

The Minister for Arts Heritage and the Islands, Eamon Ó Cuiv, presenting the Heritage Council award for the Fishery Tower Project to Jackie Uí Chionna, former Civic Trust Manager. Also in the photo is Freda Roundtree, former Chairperson of the Heritage Council. The Fishery Tower has garnered a number of prestigious national and international Awards since its completion - evidence of the quality of work undertaken by our FÁS Scheme on the Tower.

These include:

1. Civic Trusts Ireland Gulbenkian Awards 1998 - Winner, Infrastructure Category.
2. ESB Environmental Awards 1999 - 2nd Place, Infrastructure Category.
3. Henry Ford European Conservation Awards 1999 - Finalist, Built Heritage Category.
4. C.I.F. Construction Excellence Awards 2000 - Runner Up, Heritage Building Category.