Clara GAA seeks to complete 350-person stand for spectators
Clara GAA Club has applied for retention and planning permission to complete a 350-person spectator stand and two-storey building at its base at Kilbeggan Road, Kilcoursey.
The application is for permission to complete a proposed two-storey building and 350-person spectator stand. It follows Offaly County Council's decision, in 2024, to grant permission for the club to refurbish St Brigid's Convent into a community resource and focal point within the town.
In 2025, the club announced that it had fitted out the chapel at St Brigid’s Convent with 'the best of gym equipment ahead of the new playing season'.
In its new application, Clara GAA said construction of the new two-storey steel frame building with 350-person spectator stand commenced this year, and that the building and stand were currently unfinished.
The building, the application stated, will include a single lift, single stair, WC facility and small coffee dock, while the spectator stand will be attached to one side of the building to overlook the adjacent playing field. The facility has been designed by Allsport of Armagh, the club stated.
Clara GAA said it had identified a 12-month work plan for the running of the gym, including a schedule of activities like targeted classes, off-peak times usage, and rental to other service providers.
"Establishing a community gym within the club environ will directly address critical needs by providing accessible, inclusive, and affordable physical activity opportunities that promote health, social inclusion, and improved quality of life across all age-groups," the club's application stated.
The club said the two-storey building will be comprised of a gymnasium and WC facility on its ground floor, with storage of track and field equipment on its first floor. Permission is also sought for a new service road from the existing car park to the proposed building, new car park facilities and all associated site development works including drainage and services.
The club said that ten of its existing 120 car spaces within the grounds will be allocated to the new gym, along with a covered bicycle stand.
In its original planning application, the club had applied for planning permission for the refurbishment of the existing convent building which would involve the construction of a two-storey extension to the rear of the existing building on a phased basis.
The proposals were for dressing rooms and associated facilities, toilets, storage, plant room, gym, and the erection of a spectator stand, ball wall and all-weather training area. It would also provide a lift to the second floor, making it accessible to all.
Clara GAA Club owns the former convent along with adjacent grounds that provide three underage pitches and two full-size playing pitches (one of which is fully floodlit). The grounds also contain dressing rooms, a hurling ball-wall and car parking facilities for visitors.
Clara GAA currently has over 300 members and, whilst predominantly male, the club said it is working closely with Clara Ladies Football Club to develop the One Club model proposed by Croke Park.
In its application, Clara GAA Club said it is committed to improving the facilities "for every member of the Clara community," and said it is working closely with Clara Ladies, Clara Athletics Club, Clara Tidy Towns, Clara FRC and others to ensure that the grounds "become a community focused facility."
Public submissions on the planning application must be made to Offaly County Council by November 26, with a decision on the matter expected by December 17.