A MULTI-MILLION euro indoor sports complex in Kilrush and a Centre of Excellence for diving and snorkeling in Kilkee failed to receive a single penny in the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund.
In July, Clare County Council submitted an application to fund the multi-million euro project in Kilrush. The application was submitted under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, the €124m Government initiative was launched in April of this year and allows local authorities and national governing bodies of sport to apply for between €600,000 and €30 million for infrastructural projects.
Caherlohan, Clare GAA’s Centre of Excellence received an allocation of €3.2m with a total of €173,250,000 allocated nationwide by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
An application for a Centre of Excellence for Diving and Snorkeling in Kilkee was also made by the local authority but was unsuccessful.
A spokesperson for Clare County Council outlined that they have not received information from the Department as to why the projects were unsuccessful.
Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) was very frustrated that the indoor complex in Kilrush was unsuccessful which he labelled as “disappointing news”.
He stated, “Not a single penny allocated to the indoor facility for West Clare. One of the key components of the application was to open up sport in disadvantage areas, Kilrush has the highest rate of deprivation in the county but yet it would appear from the posts on Facebook today our Government representatives felt that this was not the project to support. And disappointingly if you look at any of the literature from any of the candidates in the next election not one has prioritised the need for youth investment in West Clare”.
According to Cllr Lynch the missed opportunity was “another kick in the teeth for clubs, organisationsn and youth in West Clare”.
Speaking at the AGM of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Lynch commended the “brilliant application” compiled in “a very short timeframe” while singling out the contributions of Colette Browne along with West Clare MD Directors, Jason Murphy and John O’Malley. Pat Sexton of Clare Sports Partnership was among those involved in the working group while the business case was finalised by Tom O’Leary with Stephen O’Sullivan organising the design and Padraig Neylon was responsible for the concept design.
Clare County Council in a statement to The Clare Echo welcomed the allocation to Clare GAA and Caherlohan with Chief Executive Pat Dowling and Director of Service for Social Development Jason Murphy praising the investment. Dowling said, “Clare County Council is proud to support this significant investment in our sporting infrastructure” and Murphy commented, “Clare County Council sponsored three applications in this year’s national call, with Clare GAA being successful on this occasion. These upgrades will significantly enhance the facilities at Caherlohan”.
Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) has said she is profoundly disappointment with the rejection of the funding for both West Clare projects. “While I welcome the Caherlohan funding wholeheartedly, particularly in light of being crowned All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions and as it will benefit players from around the Clare, the decision to overlook these two vital projects for Kilrush and Kilkee is deeply disheartening”.
A candidate in the upcoming General Election, the Doonbeg woman stated, “These projects are not just blueprints on paper; they are dreams, hopes, and a step towards a brighter future for our communities. West Clare deserves the same opportunities, and our voices deserve to be heard. This is a powerful reminder of why West Clare needs a dedicated advocate to raise issues like this, to ensure we get the support our communities so clearly deserve. Kilrush and Kilkee are at the heart of West Clare, and they need champions in Dáil Éireann who will fight for their future”.
She pointed out that the Department have previously stated unsuccessful applications may be placed on a reserved list. Cllr McInerney said irrespective of the General Election outcome, she will push for both projects to be prioritised on the reserve list.
With renewed resolve, Cllr. McInerney affirmed that her “priority” in the coming weeks, irrespective of the general election outcome, will be to push for both West Clare projects to be prioritised on this reserve list and to secure the necessary funding. “These communities have waited long enough. Kilrush and Kilkee deserve this investment, and I will not stop fighting until it’s realised. These facilities are not just about infrastructure, they’re about pride, opportunity, and a vision for the future of West Clare. I will be contacting Minister Thomas Byrne to replay this message strongly. And if elected, I will ensure that projects like these are not just another line item. They will be at the top of my agenda, because our communities matter”.
