All stages of planning permission for the project are now complete and work is due to commence shortly on Phase 1 of the development. This phase will primarily entail the development of the 4 pitches planned for the facility, including the full-size 4G astro. It is a €3 million project – the €2.1 million grant received by the club from the LSSIF grant will be used, plus an additional €900,000 that has been raised by the club. (see photos)
Huge congratulations to the Oranmore Maree Minor Hurling Team who beat neighbours and old rivals Clarinbridge on October 22nd in the club final. Hard luck to the Oranmore Maree Senior Camogie Team, who lost to All-Ireland Champions Sarsfields in their club final on the same day.
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMITTEE
Sean Greene, Chairperson, Oranmore-Maree GAA One Club
These are really exciting times for Oranmore-Maree GAA Club.
In May 2023, Bord Pleanála reached a decision to grant planning permission for the Renville Sports Grounds. However, it’s been a rollercoaster of a journey to get to this stage. We initially applied to Galway County Council for planning in 2018, and received planning from them in 2019, only for it to be subsequently overturned by An Bord Pleanála due to concerns regarding a junction near our proposed entrance. They had no issues with the master plan for the site.
We worked with Galway County Council to identify the works required to address the concerns that An Bord Pleanála had for the junction and subsequently submitted a new application for the project, including these junction works, in 2021. Galway County Council granted planning a second time in September 2021 before we received a positive decision from An Bord Pleanála last May.
Padraig O’Callaghan, Chairperson, Renville Sports Grounds
It is a privilege to be involved in the drive to make Renville Sports Grounds a reality. As a committee, we have undertaken to implement the vision the club has for this fabulous project. We purchased the initial 24 acres in October 2017 with an additional ten acres added in April 2019.
I would like to compliment all of the people who have persevered and shown incredible loyalty and commitment to the project over the last 6 years to finally achieve the planning for this vital development for the whole community. I would like, in particular, to remember the first Chairperson of the Renville Sports Grounds Committee, Sean Kinsella, who passed away in September 2020. He was a huge driving influence on getting the project to this critical milestone.
I would also like to acknowledge the huge support we get from our club members, the wider community and local businesses.
Derek Cullinane, Development Officer, Oranmore-Maree GAA One Club
For over 50 years, Oranmore-Maree GAA has been at the heart of our community, ensuring all people are given the opportunity to participate in GAA and supporting the holistic health of our members and our wider community. It is imperative we continue to provide these opportunities for all community members as existing facilities do not cater to the current needs.
Full-scale, all-weather playing and training facilities are badly needed immediately to alleviate the already vastly overstretched demand. Renville Sports Grounds will greatly enhance the quality of life within the Oranmore-Maree Communities, not only through the planned playing facilities but also through the community areas included in plans for this development.
With planning permission granted and the LSSIF €2.1 million grant, we are now able to kick off Phase I of the project. This will be a €3m project, with the main ground works to be undertaken in early 2024, followed by the construction of a full-size 4G astro pitch. We hope to have the grass pitches ready to play on in 2025.
