Galway Bay fm newsroom - Cope Galway's Modh Eile House is expected to be handed over by contractors before Christmas.

The Magdalen Laundry operated at the Forster Street site where the refuge will be based from 1870 to 1984 and was gifted to COPE Galway by the Mercy Order.

The local charity hopes to start fitting the building early in the new year with domestic abuse services set to be operational early in 2020.

Significant progress has been made in raising the 4.3 million euro in construction and fit-out costs, while a fresh round of fundraising events kicking off shortly.

Sharon Fitzpatrick is Head of Development with COPE Galway - she is appealing to the people of Galway to support the community project in its final phase of fundraising - to hear more tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour...