Southern Gaels planning new facilities in ambitious project
Southern Gaels Hurling & Camogie Club is embarking on a highly ambitious project with the purchase of 12.9 acres in order to develop two pitches and associated facilities at Fardrum, Athlone.
A launch night will take place on Wednesday, July 24 at the Sheraton Athlone Hotel (8pm), when the club's plans will be outlined in more detail. Information will also be provided about fundraisers planned by the club in support of the project.
Southern Gaels is currently based at Páirc Chiaráin, where it uses the facilities of its sister club, Athlone GAA.
Southern Gaels chairperson Kevin Jordan told the Westmeath Independent that the club will continue to be based at Páirc Chiaráin for the foreseeable future.
“It’s a long term project and it could be between five and ten years before we can play matches at the new facilities. It will depend on how successful we are with fundraising, but we have to start somewhere.
“We are a sister club of Athlone GAA, we won’t be cutting any ties with Athlone and, for the foreseeable future, we will be playing matches and training at Páirc Chiaráin,” said Kevin.
“Gaelic games are growing in the Athlone area, with girls’ football and camogie becoming more popular, and we see this as a good opportunity as the piece of land is close to the town. It’s a much needed facility to help cater for the expansion of Gaelic games for both boys and girls in the Athlone area,” he continued.
Southern Gaels was formed in 1973 with the amalgamation of the Athlone and Walderstown hurling clubs. The club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of events last year, and 2023 also saw Southern Gaels establish a camogie club and compete in Westmeath camogie competitions for the first time.
The advent of camogie in the club has placed additional demands on pitches at Páirc Chiaráin for matches and training.
Mr Jordan acknowledged that it is an ambitious project for the club which will require considerable financial support in order to be realised. “We will be hoping for plenty of support in the town and surrounding areas,” he said.
The parcel of land where Southern Gaels plans to establish new facilities is located in Fardrum, on the Moate side of what is known locally as the ‘Birr turn’.
A statement from the club said: “Southern Gaels are in the process of purchasing grounds for the future development of pitch and ancillary facilities and will reveal all details at a public launch night in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel on Wednesday, July 24.
“The event will start at 8pm and all are invited to attend and hear the plans being unveiled. This is a hugely exciting venture for the club and all support will be welcome. Hopefully all players (past and present), mentors, parents and supporters will attend and support the club in getting this venture up and running.”
At last week’s Westmeath County Board meeting, Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall welcomed the Southern Gaels plans and wished the club well with the project.
It was stated at the meeting that Southern Gaels are planning to purchase almost 13 acres on the outskirts of Athlone to develop a full-size pitch, and a second pitch which over time will be full-size. Also referring to development plans involving the Tang and Ballycomoyle clubs, Mr Mescall said: “There must be something in the air this weather with land and purchases, but it’s great to see. Not to take away from Tang or Ballycomoyle, but I’m relieved to hear of the purchase by Southern Gaels. It’s really significant and everyone in the room will wish you well with it.”