Tubberclair GAA seeks permission for expansion plan

Tubberclair GAA has submitted plans for an expansion of its playing facilities at Farnamoreen, Glasson, Athlone.

The club has proposed the development of two grass playing pitches with floodlights, two goal ballstops, a single storey extension to existing sports equipment shed, overflow carpark with public lighting, the demolition of an agricultural hayshed, minor works to the existing site entrance, with all with associated site works.

The planning application for the proposed development, on an overall site area of 10.64 hectares, was submitted to Westmeath County Council this week.

Tubberclair GAA purchased the neighbouring lands adjacent to its club grounds last year to facilitate the expansion.

A planning statement submitted as part of the application said the club's aim is to "provide a sustainable playing areas on the western side of their site".

"Currently, all age groups use the main pitch which has resulted in this area being used constantly and becoming unavailable during poor weather periods. The applicant wishes to provide a sustainable solution for the social, community and cultural requirements of the Tubberclair area," the planning statement added.

Chief within the plans submitted to Westmeath County Council for the development is a proposed overflow car park with public lighting which the applicants confirmed will be supervised by the club during events with a larger than normal number of visitors, such as local games and cúl camps.

"The overflow carpark will mitigate against the stacking of cars entering the site from the N55 and provide an unobstructed route to safe parking."

Floodlighting is also focal feature of the proposed development. The club, in its submitted planning statement, confirmed that a completed lighting report "showed no light pollution to neighbouring properties or distraction to road users".

"To minimise potential distractions for motorists on the adjacent N55 and reduce light intrusion into nearby properties, mitigation measures will be implemented. These include adjusting the angle of the light fittings and using internal louvres within narrow beam asymmetric floodlights to ensure light is directed precisely in one direction, preventing unnecessary overspill," the planning statement said.

Tubberclair GAA launched a major fundraising campaign in 2025 to support of the land purchase for the proposed development, describing it as "a pivotal step towards realising a shared, inclusive amenity that will serve both the club and community for generations to come".

At the time of the land purchase, the club stated that it was able to fund 25 percent of the trabnsaction directly. The remaining balance of the purchase, €300,000, was secured through a GAA-approved loan from Clann Credo.

This fundraising campaign, which reached over €337,000 at the end of 2025, has now allowed the club to move forward with its proposed development plans "debt free" with all future donations "ring-fenced exclusively for the development of the agreed projects".

A decision on the planning application is expected from Westmeath County Council on or before September 20.