Galway is getting a penguinarium! (*the entire country books tickets to Galway)

If you like gorgeous little, flapping bundles of black and white cuteness... you might want to consider a trip to Galway. That's because plans for a penguinarium (we weren't aware such a delightful thing existed) are well under way and are now said to be "advancing". "The owners of Galway Atlantaquaria are planning an extension to its existing aquarium along the Promenade," the Connacht Tribune printed recently in news that is sure to delight the entire nation of Ireland. Penguinariums simulate the natural environment of the Antarctic bird, and famous examples can be found at Detroit Zoo and in Tenerife. Galway Atlantaquaria is already Ireland’s largest native aquarium. The Tribune adds that Galway City Councillor Donal Lyons  has declared that a facility "where penguins could hang out would be compatible with the area’s recreational and amenity zoning". "Tourism is very important to the business community in Salthill and this initiative is an excellent opportunity to complement the existing tourist related activities in the area," he continued.

Penguin ‘hang out’ plan for @GalwayAquarium

https://t.co/rp0NZkrZLm — Connacht/CityTribune (@CTribune) February 20, 2017

In the midst of recession in 2010, the then Social Protection minister and Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív attracted much criticism after he defended plans to spend €672,500 of the State's money on Galway's penguins The minister insisted that the grant – which was to be used to enhance and improve the animals' enclosure – would help to boost tourism in the area and would also create the jobs.

A post shared by Galway Atlantaquaria (@galwayaquarium) on Sep 26, 2016 at 3:01am PDT

Fáilte Ireland West agreed, at the time commenting that penguins "are a big draw – people love to look at them".