Tang GAA to step up facilities upgrade on new parcel of land

By Kevin O'Neill

Last year's acquisition of 6.75 acres of land, directly adjoining its current club facilities, looks set to have a transformational impact on the future of Gaelic games for Tang GAA Club .

The South Westmeath club, which fields teams from senior to nursery level and combines with Maryland at underage level, also caters for sister clubs, Drumraney Camogie and Goldsmiths LGFA, as well as facilitating local schools. And there was a strong feeling that its facilities at Fr. Joe Fox Memorial Park were somewhat stretched in recent years.

So, following a club decision to expand and upgrade its facilities, and safeguard the future of the area's children in sport, the acquisition of the land at the end of 2024 was part-funded through a loan and successful Lip Sync fundraiser (in 2023).

A planning application for Phase 1 of the ambitious community-based project was made earlier this year and received final approval from Westmeath County Council in August.

Listed among the plans for the development, which the club hopes can begin soon into 2026, is a new full-sized GAA grass pitch, competition-grade floodlighting, a skills' ball wall, new spectator stand, additional car parking and the expansion of an existing community walkway. The club will also be converting its existing training pitch into a new astro-turf facility.

Furthermore, and following extensive engagement with the club's local community and wider catchment area through a LEADER-funded feasibility study, a detailed design and planning application submission is planned for a new Community Centre and associated amenities.

A local contractor has been appointed, and site-clearance works on the newly acquired lands have commenced, the club told the Westmeath Independent, while they have also started the tender process for the wider development, with plans to appoint a pitch contractor in early 2026 so that Phase 1— construction of the new pitch —can begin promptly.

“As a small rural club, we are acutely aware of the challenges associated with delivering projects of this scale. However, the support and enthusiasm shown by our community and our partner clubs, Goldsmiths LGFA and Drumraney Camogie, give us great confidence,” the club said.

The club will hold a development launch day in March or April next year to outline project timelines and formally begin its fundraising campaign. Fundraising will continue throughout 2026 and into 2027 to support the new facilities.

The club said that it will also seek funding through the Sports Capital Programme (now the Community Sports Facilities Fund), in addition to all other suitable community and local authority funding streams.

“Our goal is to secure the majority of required funding through grants and fundraising, with any remaining balance financed through a bank loan,” Tang GAA stated.

A strong sub-committee has been appointed to oversee the project, report to the Club Executive, and ensure its successful delivery, while a fundraising committee are working hard to develop a programme of fundraising events to be announced in early 2026. The club is keen to promote the 'community aspect' of the project and wanted to thank its local support for its help in the project to date.

To this end, the club are hosting Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Tang on Monday, December 22 to remember deceased members of the the club and parish, followed by a social night at the Three Jolly Pigeons pub (8.30pm) to thank everyone involved in the club including its tireless Lotto committee.

“This is an exciting period for our club and community, and our overarching aim is to provide much-needed, high-quality facilities for our rural area heading into the future,” the club stated.