Pictured at the launch of the Tubberclair GAA Land Purchase Fundraising Campaign and new Tubberclair GAA website are, L-R: Tubberclair GAA Chairman Adrian Dolan, Treasurer Declan O’Connor, Fundraising Campaign Communications Coordinator Carmel McGonagle and Club Secretary John O’Meara. Photo: Paul Molloy.

Tubberclair GAA launches ambitious plans after land purchase

Kieran Galvin

Published: Mon 1 Sep 2025, 6:54 PM

Last updated: Mon 1 Sep 2025, 6:56 PM

Tubberclair GAA has acquired 18.8 acres of land adjoining its current pitch, paving the way for a major development project.

With the purchase of this parcel of land, the club plans to deliver "much-needed additional pitches, modern training facilities, and a space that supports the social, physical, and recreational life of the Tubberclair and Glasson area”.

In addition to improved facilities to cater for greater playing numbers (both male and female), the club hopes to build a community centre as part of the development.

And the club has has launched its land purchase fundraising campaign, describing it as “a pivotal step towards realising a shared, inclusive amenity that will serve both the club and community for generations to come”.

Thanks to ongoing local support, the club has stated that it was able to fund 25 per cent of the land purchase directly. The remaining balance of the purchase — €300,000 — was secured through a GAA-approved loan from Clann Credo. This fundraising campaign aims to clear that loan and enable the club to move forward confidently into the next stage of development.

“We have the land. Now we look to the community that helped us grow to help us go further,” said Tubberclair GAA chairman Adrian Dolan.

“This is not just about the GAA and Gaelic football. It’s about creating something that strengthens the entire parish.”

Members of the club and the wider community group will be making contact with every household in the parish in the coming weeks. Each home will receive a fundraising campaign brochure outlining the vision behind the project and how to contribute to the campaign.

Local businesses will also be contacted to explore tailored corporate support options to contribute to this once-in-a-generation development.

The campaign launch coincides with the launch of the new Tubberclair GAA Club website, which provides full details of the land purchase fundraising campaign and offers a convenient, secure online donation option for supporters at home and abroad.

Donations can be made by cheque, bank transfer, or online. Anyone interested in donating can contact the Tubberclair GAA treasurer Declan O’Connor (treasurer.tubberclair.westmeath@gaa.ie).

Tubberclair GAA recently held information sessions to update the community on its purchase of land adjacent to the current pitch, and on plans to raise funds over the coming months to cover the cost of the purchase.

In addition to current Tubberclair players and members of the community, the sessions were aimed at parents of underage players and mentors involved with various underage teams. Players and officials of Goldsmiths LGFA, a club which serves the Glasson/Tubberclair area in addition to Tang and Drumraney, were invited to the information sessions.

Tubberclair GAA is also currently preparing for its eagerly awaited '5040 Celebration' in Glasson Lakehouse Hotel on Saturday, September 13 at 7.30pm.

The event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the club’s historic Westmeath Senior Football Championship success in 1985, and the 50th anniversary of the club’s minor championship triumph of 1975. Meath football legend and respected columnist Colm O’Rourke will be the special guest on the night - see separate article here.