GAA club buy 12 acres of Carmelite land for €750,000 to boost facilities
By Mary Dennehy
BALLYBODEN St Enda’s last week sealed its €750k deal to purchase 12 acres of land adjacent to the Carmelite monastery on the Firhouse Road.
Purchasing the land has been a slow process for the club. However, on Tuesday, July 24, ’Boden got the deal over the crossbar – paving the way for the development of new playing pitches.
The Carmelite land (behind Morton's Pub) on Firhouse Road
The deal sealed – which The Echo understands to be in the region of €750,000 – does not include the Carmelite monastery or its surrounding buildings.
In a statement, John Ryan, Club Development Chairman and Executive Member, said: “This is truthfully a historic day for the club and we are very fortunate to have secured such valuable facilities.
“It will hopefully provide further playing facilities in the years ahead for the club, parish and wider community.”
Home to the sisters since 1827, the Carmelite monastery, which played an integral role in community development in the areas of Firhouse and Knocklyon over the years, was vacated by the order due to challenging and changing times.
Speaking with The Echo in April 2017, when club members first approved the purchase of the land at an AGM, Dublin South West TD John Lahart said that the use of the land by the local community was very much in “the spirit of the sisters’ thinking” when leaving Firhouse.
In his statement last week, Mr Ryan acknowledged this “legacy” left behind by the Carmelite sisters.
Slow process
“As many members are aware, the purchase of this land has been a slow process and would not have succeeded without the support of many,” Mr Ryan said.
“We would like to particularly thank the Carmelite nuns and their representatives for their continuous support.
“Our club cannot thank them enough for the legacy they have left behind and they have left their mark in the community for future generations.”
Mr Ryan also acknowledged the contribution made by long-term club member Tomás Ó Reachtabhra, who initially identified the location and helped guide the project through its first steps.
Thanks were also extended to local representatives, in particular Dublin South West TD, John Lahart.
Very valuable resource
“The support of these people, and indeed, many more, has given the club a very valuable resource and would never have been achieved otherwise,” Mr Ryan said.
“Hopefully club members will have an opportunity to ‘walk the land’ soon.
“It’s important, we believe, for as many as possible to have an appreciation of what has been achieved, but equally the challenges that lie ahead to develop the facility.”
One of the largest GAA clubs in the country, Ballyboden St Enda’s, which was All-Ireland Club Final champions in 2016, has around 130 teams across all ages.
The development of playing pitches on the land is now subject to planning permission, which is the next step for the Firhouse Road-based club.
