Launch of Croí an Chaisleáin Ghlais

Croí an Chaisleáin Ghlais and our new Club Website was launched on Friday 23rd June 2023 in Greencastle community centre. On a usual busy Friday evening the proceedings were held between the Reserve and Senior league games against Omagh St Endas.

Croí an Chaisleáin Ghlais, the vision for the development plans for the next 10 years was unveiled to our members of all ages, in the company of invited guests and key project partners. The evening commenced with beautiful instrumental music from local children, under the watchful guidance of local musician Gráinne Conway.

MC for the evening, our own Fiona Teague who introduced our promotional video for the project, featuring specially composed music by Cara-Rose Brogan as well as voice overs and participation of our local school children. The video was professionally pieced together by our local media genius Niall Devlin. This piece gave those present a view of what the delivery of these plans means to our community and how important it is that we achieve our vision for the children who call Greencastle ‘home’ and a place which is in all our hearts.

Club Chairperson’s address:

Club Chairperson, Dominic Douglas officially opened proceedings:

Fáilte a chairde

I am delighted to be here with you all this evening as Chairperson of the club to officially launch Chroi An Chaisleáin Ghlas.

I have taken up the mantel in this club, a tough task itself in terms of carrying on the sterling work of those who have gone before me in this role, and on the committee since the club formation. There is a proud history of development within this club and it is now over to us to continue the good work that others have started.

This phased development plan provides a roadmap for our club over the next 10 years, and will ensure that we provide inclusive, fit for purpose, modern and best in class facilities for all of our players, members and the wider community.

As a Division one club, it is imperative that we ensure that the facilities here reflect that of one that is playing at the top tier.

Our club is at the very heart of our community here in Greencastle, one that is rich in history, culture, heritage, language, and tradition and so it is fitting that our branding for development reflects that.

There has already been substantial work undertaken just to get us to the stage we are here tonight and I thank everyone involved. Let’s hope we have success both on and off the field tonight! To that end, I wish to sincerely thank all of those involved to date.

While much work has been done, there is more to do and so I am asking that each and every one of us pulls together and plays our part.

Ní Neart Go Cur Le Chéile

Alison Mc Cullagh, CEO Fermanagh & Omagh District Council

Fermanagh & Omagh District Council have committed £200,000 of a capital development investment to assist with the delivery of phase 1, Alison was present on behalf of council and told those present ”On Behalf of Fermanagh Omagh District Council I am delighted to be here to help launch this exciting new development plan for Greencastle. As a council we are happy to support this project as one of a number of key strategic projects for the district. The club and community association in rural Greencastle are instrumental in helping council achieve strategic aims and objectives we look forward to this relationship continuing”

Michelle Cox representing Tyrone and Ulster GAA

Michelle assured those present of Tyrone’s commitment and support for the plans, wishing us huge success as we continue on our fundraising journey in bringing this wonderful project to fruition. Michelle said

“At the forefront in the early planning stages of any development in rural areas such as Greencastle, is first and foremost, the total inclusion of your club members and your wider community, to enable facilitation of their physical, mental and social wellbeing. Your user groups are at the heart of all the thought and planning that is invested in such a project and in return you create a strong culture and hub of positivity, support and emotional wellbeing for everyone. Your already well-established Healthy Club Mantra can only develop, evolve and gain momentum when you have such an impressive and all welcoming facility to grow from, and from what I have seen this evening, I have no doubt that this has certainly been the thought process to date. “

Bernie Fox, Chairperson of the Fundraising Sub committee closed off the evening’s presentations with some insight to the journey so far and the plans for the future as part of Croí an Chaisleáin Ghlais.

Bernie told those present “We have a strong history and tradition of development within our club, a testament to those volunteers, committees and members who have gone before us and have given us the opportunity to thrive. And so, it is over to us now, to continue what they have started and to ensure our club continues to provide facilities that are inclusive, fit for purpose, modern, and efficient.”

The 10 year development plan was formed following our community consultation where we engaged over 210 people from the local community and over 50 children and young people from our local primary school. We listened to what they wanted, and in turn the plans you see before you tonight have been created, working in partnership with local businesses to help take our vision to the tangible assets you see here tonight.

The development plan consists of four phases:

Phase 1– Construction of a single storey steel framed portal building, with insulated cavity filled block rendered walls, that will be used for sporting, educational, cultural and social opportunities for the community of Greencastle. (Target Completion Spring 2024)

Phase 2– Refurbishment of player and referee changing rooms and community gym. Development of first floor for player & community fitness suite.

Phase 3- Upgrade of ‘original pitch’ pitch realignment to return it to its position as the ‘main field & the construction of new seated spectator stand.

Phase 4- New handball alley / One wall and modification of existing to accommodate the integration of new facility.

Bricks & Pillars

Introducing our Fundraising Plans for phase one, we officially launched our Bricks and Pillars campaign.

At a cost of £500 per Brick, those who purchase a Brick will have their engraving on the main hall in the reception area of the new building, leaving a lasting legacy in memory of their financial contribution to Croí an Chaisleáin Ghlais.

Patrons who sign up to become Pillars of Croí an Chaisleáin Ghlais, at a cost of £1000 per year for 5 years, will be making a huge commitment to the long term project costs, and their name will be engraved on a main Pillar at the entrance to the new build.

Becoming a Pillar of Greencastle ‘crann taca’ means being a ‘tree of support’. This is a long term commitment to our community that will help grow and nurture our future generations.

The names of all the contributors will be engraved on the front pillar and each will receive their very own limited edition personally engraved pillar as a thank you from the whole community