Offaly GAA withdraws planning bid for Faithful Fields expansion

Offaly GAA has withdrawn a planning application for an expansion of its training facilities at the Faithful Fields in Kilcormac, almost twelve months after it was lodged.

A decision was due to be made on July 22, but on that day agents for Offaly GAA County Board wrote to Offaly County Council withdrawing the planning application.

Plans for an expansion of training facilities at the Faithful Fields were initially submitted to Offaly County Council in August 2025.

The proposed development entailed the change of use of agricultural land to sports and recreational use, including the development of additional training facilities, featuring a new all-weather synthetic pitch equipped with floodlighting, pitch drainage, and all associated site development works.

Offaly County Council requested further information in October 2025 and additional clarification on the proposed development in April which resulted in plans for the expansion being temporarily placed on hold. In its most recent request for further information on the planned training facilities expansion, Offaly County Council expressed concerns that the proposed all weather surface "will intensify the use of the overall facility at the Faithful Fields".

The local authority sought clarification on a number of traffic management and safety related issues, calling on the Offaly GAA County Board "to submit a Road Safety Audit and Traffic and Transport Assessment undertaken by a suitably qualified person for the proposed development" to address such matters.

Offaly County Council expressed concern that "dedicated emergency and maintenance vehicle entrance to the proposed all-weather pitch via an existing laneway" would be "used as a traffic route in large events thus intensifying the traffic" and "posing a serious risk to traffic safety" at the location.

A "revised junction arrangement" was also requested by the planning authority "as a result of the proposed intensification of development at Faithful Fields", while the planning authority also requested further information from Offaly County Board on how parking will be "deterred along the edge of the N52 outside the proposed and existing developments".

Offaly GAA responded to this request for further clarification on the proposed development on June 16 addressing all the concerns raised by the planning authority, but has now decided not to proceed with the particular planning application.

Opened in 2017, the current Faithful Fields complex consists of four full-sized floodlit playing pitches, full stand, meeting rooms, dressing rooms, a state-of-the-art gym, all-weather warm up area and catering facilities.

The Offaly Independent has reached out to Offaly GAA County Board for comment.