Planners make decision made on €20m Limerick GAA centre of excellence plan

LIMERICK GAA has been given conditional planning permission for a new €20m centre of excellence near Crecora.

Council planners wrote to the applicants, Limerick Gaelic Grounds Limited this Thursday afternoon confirming the news.

The massive development is to be located on 95 acres of land at Jockeyhall, Crecora.

This is located just off the N20/M20 between Patrickswell and Adare.

READ MORE: Mango confirm date and details for new store opening in Limerick

According to the ambitious proposals, there will be six floodlit natural grass pitches, two flood-lit all-weather synthetic pitches, and one sod replacement pitch.

One indoor pitch is expected to be constructed, as well as two three-sided precast concrete ball walls with netting, fencing, goal posts, goal post netting and dug-outs to all playing pitches.

An existing walled garden is to be repurposed to incorporate an all-weather synthetic training area.

A new two-storey pavilion building will be constructed measuring around 4,285 square metres.

This will feature changing rooms, a gym, first-aid and physiotherapy rooms, meeting rooms and offices.

Also in this new complex, it’s envisaged there will be a multi-purpose hall, an auditorium, kitchen, dining space, plus a service courtyard.

To facilitate the massive GAA development, three sheds will be demolished, alongside an overground storage tank.

Above: An impression of the proposed development at Jockeyhall in Crecora, prepared by award-winning architect, Healy Partners

Extensions to the existing Prospect Hall building on site will be razed.

And a change-of-use will be sought for what is left of Prospect Hall, from residential to commercial use.

According to the plans, this building will be connected to the new pavilion building through a link corridor.

Proposals for this new centre of excellence were first revealed in March 2024 after Limerick GAA officials confirmed that the 95-acre site at Crecora had been formally acquired.

At the launch of a fundraising drive for the development, Limerick hurling manager John Kiely said: “It's going to be a very expensive project to bring to fruition but, at the same time, we have to match our ambition on the pitch with our ambition off the pitch.”

It’s been billed by representatives of Limerick Gaelic Grounds Ltd, which is seeking permission from the local authority, as: “a flagship centre for the development and celebration of the people, games, culture and heritage of the GAA in Limerick”.

In a letter of support, the board said it is “prepared to develop this facility into a state-of-the-art complex to ensure future generations of Gaelic games players can hone their skills to the highest levels representing our great county which we are all very proud of.”

It's hoped this project will help with integration plans for the GAA, LGFA and Camogie associations, the deadline for completion of which falls within 18 months from now.

Limerick City and County Council has given permission subject to a number of conditions.