Exciting times for Mullingar Shamrocks as 20 acres purchased
Mullingar Shamrocks are delighted to announce that the club has contracted to purchase 20 acres of land in Robinstown from Kevin and Helen Lynch.
The club executive and members thanked, in particular, Ray Smyth and Dónal O’Donoghue for the crucial role they played in conducting the successful negotiations that extended over the past few months with Kevin and Helen in association with club chairperson, David Nohilly and secretary, Garrett Doyle. The club is especially grateful to Kevin and Helen Lynch for facilitating the sale of the land.
Securing additional land has been a long-term objective of the club and this secures Mullingar Shamrocks future in the Springfield-Robinstown area. Securing the land has given the club a new sense of purpose and the members are energized by the prospect of a development which will ultimately include an access bridge across the Brosna linking the two areas of play, two new all-weather pitches, floodlighting, a training pitch, a new clubhouse, a new additional entrance off the Robinstown Road with car parking and associated essential works.
David Nohilly said the club is really looking forward to starting the project next year and welcomed the funding boost which was confirmed through the €1m donation by JP McManus to every county in Ireland for its GAA clubs. Westmeath GAA must ensure that LGFA clubs get their fair share of the funding, he feels.
“This is great news and a huge boost to our fundraising efforts. It is a very generous offer at this time of year and we certainly welcome the funding and hope it is distributed in a fair manner, with ladies GAA clubs also getting their share,” he said.
“We have significant utility costs of around €2,500 every month. And we aim to lodge a planning application early next year and start work on our development project by October. Even though we have taken energy saving measures at the club, especially around floodlighting, we are still facing a considerable outlay each month.”
Mr Nohilly said the purchase of 20 acres will lead to a significant change in this area of the town in the coming years.
“We will be developing right across the river Brosna and linking Springfield and Robinstown, with a new entrance on the Robinstown side. It ensures the future of the club in its current location. We have been land-locked for so many years and this development will be of huge benefit to our players, members and all the families connected to the club, and to those who are joining us each year,” he said.
“We are extremely grateful to the Lynch family for facilitating the sale of the land and it is an exciting time for the club.”
The Mullingar Shamrocks club is relishing the challenge this new development brings and is sure that with the unwavering support of its nearly 800 members, sponsors and the wider GAA community it will provide these much-needed facilities in the coming years.
It was only in January of this year that GAA President, Larry McCarthy was the guest of honour at the Mullingar Shamrocks banquet in The Mullingar Park Hotel to celebrate the club’s 70th anniversary.
Included in a significant list of honours for the club are 12 senior football titles: 1964, 1966, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2012, 2018. They have made a significant contribution to Westmeath over the years with so many great players, including of course Michael 'Spike' Fagan, Tom Ormsby, Dónal O'Donoghue, Shane Colleary, Denis Corroon and Kieran Gavin. Tom Hunt, the club's PRO, is the current Westmeath Central Council delegate and Barry Kelly is the sitting Westmeath Coiste na nóg chairman.