FESTIVE BOOST FOR GAA IN LOUTH
Council agrees a Christmas gift of land in town for new stadium
THE first sod is set to be turned on Louth GAA’s new county grounds in January after Louth County Council agreed yesterday (Monday) to the disposal of land at Marshes Upper.
The plans were given the green light by all but one councillor when a proposal to sell off the land, which was previously owned by Dundalk Urban District Council, came before the monthly meeting of Louth County Council.
In what was hailed as a ‘red-letter day’ for the GAA in Louth, there was widespread support for the plans to establish the new county grounds in Dundalk
Cllr Peter Savage led the support for the project, with a proposal that the land be passed to the GAA, saying: ‘Louth is badly in need of a pitch we can call our county grounds.’
THE first sod is set to be turned on Louth GAA’s new county grounds in January, after Louth County Council agreed to the disposal of land at Marshes Upper yesterday (Monday).
The ambitious plans were given the green light by all but one councillor when a proposal to dispose of the land, previously owned by Dundalk Urban District Council, came before the monthly meeting of Louth County Council.
The section 183 notice to officially dispose of the land saw a valuation for €650,000. The land was sold to the GAA for €400,000. The cost of building the grounds is expected to be between €6million and €8m.
Cllr. Peter Savage led the support for the project, with a proposal that the land be passed to the GAA, saying: ‘Louth is badly in need of a pitch we can call our county pitch.’
Cllr. Maeve Yore asked if Ladies GAA representatives were involved in negotiations around the project, and if they would have full access to the grounds.
Cllr. John McGahon said that the plans were fully endorsed by the GAA county board. He added ‘ what is the alternative for Louth GAA?’ saying that he would support the plans.
Cllr. Ruairi O Murchu said the Sinn Fein delegation would be supporting the plans .‘ There have been a few false starts, but we would very much like to welcome it. It is a long held dream and is a long time coming to reality.’
Cllr. Mark Dearey added his view that the council ‘ were being asked to make a decision based on relatively sparse information’. He said he would have ‘appreciated a better briefing process on this. It would have made the whole process a lot easier.’ He agreed, however, it was a ‘red letter day for the GAA in Louth.’
Cllr. Maria Doyle agreed that there had been late information on the project, but added ‘It is a great day for Dundalk.’
Cllr. Edel Corrigan said it
was ‘vital’ that ladies GAA were included in the development of the county grounds.
Cllr. Conor Keelan said the disposal of council land to the GAA would provide ‘much needed social infrastructure for Dundalk.’
Cllr. Dolores Mingoue added that she was ‘only sorry it is not coming to Ardee.’ But she also pointed out that ladies GAA had to be included in the plans.
The proposal went to a roll call vote, with 22 councillors voting in favour of the disposal of the land to Louth GAA. It was deemed passed.
Just one councillor, Pio Smith, voted against the proposal, having earlier told the meeting that he felt ‘all the avenues had not been closed off in developing it in Drogheda.’
Speaking after the meeting, local TD Peter Fitzpatrick, who was part of the six man delegation from Louth GAA spearheading the plans, told the Argus: ‘It is a fantastic day for Dundalk, and for the GAA in Louth.’
He said the plans were backed by all 41 Gaelic clubs across Louth.
‘It is great to see the GAA coming back. This was the town of the GAA.’
He added that it is expected to have the first sod turned on the site at Marshes Upper in January, with the first ball kicked on the new county grounds in June 2020.