Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is proud to announce the completion of the renovation works on the pitches and 8 lane World Athletic running track at Kilbogget Park, enhancing the sports facilities for GAA, Football, and local Athletics clubs. The rejuvenated facilities will benefit Cabinteely Athletics Club, Cabinteely Football Club, Cabinteely GAA, and Foxrock-Cabinteely Ladies Gaelic Football club, bringing together over 2,000 sports enthusiasts and over 80 teams across various levels of competition.
At the official launch Councillor Denis O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:
“I would like to pay tribute to the club boards, committees, and volunteers for working with us to develop these new facilities. I have no doubt that they will lead to further accomplishments of the clubs through their use. The facilities are a great asset for the local community and will encourage active participation.”
The renovation included the conversion of the old grit running track into a modern running surface, extensive drainage works and resurfacing of the football pitch and GAA pitch, and the expansion and resurfacing of a senior grade GAA pitch with state-of-the-art flood lighting. The pitches are expected to be fully operational by September this year.
Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Couty Council highlighted:
“Our vision as outlined in our sports facilities strategy is to provide facilities for sport and physical activity that are well maintained, sufficient in number and accessible to as many local people as possible. Our primary focus is to enable participation by as wide a cross section of the population across a diverse range of sports. We are achieving this through our relationships and interactions with local sporting clubs, regional and national sporting organisations, schools, community groups and our dlr Leisure facilities.”
The running track features an 8-lane World Athletics standard design, complete with long and triple jump facilities integrated. Primary user Cabinteely Athletics Club will share the running track with the public and other clubs, promoting active participation and community engagement.
Gerard Scully, Chairperson, Cabinteely Athletic Club said:
“The realisation of the track represents the culmination of lengthy cooperation between the Council and Cabinteely AC. Cabinteely AC looks forward to continuing to be the anchor club at the track in Kilbogget Park and delivering to the hopes and dreams of youth from the surrounding community. It is fitting that this has been completed in an Olympic year when our future athlete stars will be inspired by our team in Paris and will now have somewhere world class to come and train.”
Dara Carroll, Chairperson of Cabinteely FC said:
“I’m delighted to welcome the completion of this state-of-the-art athletics track together with a centrally integrated football pitch, and an excellent new Gaelic pitch. These developments are the result of very positive collaboration between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the clubs in Kilbogget Park and they are a testament to the power of community voluntarism and shared vision in partnership with our local authority. Our new football pitch includes the latest drainage systems and this will significantly mitigate the disruptions we’ve increasingly been facing due to climate change, allowing our teams to play more consistently throughout the season. This facility not only enhances our ability to train and compete but is exemplary of the best resources that our young people need to thrive in sport. I warmly compliment the officials and public representatives of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for these initiatives and I wish our friends and sportspeople in our neighbouring clubs every continuing success.”
Barry Rojack, Chairperson Cabinteely GAA said:
“We’re all very excited seeing the new pitch coming together – hundreds of our kids and adults will now benefit for generations from one of the best grass pitches in Dublin. As a huge bonus the new floodlights will also ensure evening games for gaelic football, hurling and camogie under lights are also possible for the first time in Kilbogget in the nearly 50-year history of the club. Heartfelt thanks to the council, politicians and construction crew for making this possible.’’
Ciarán Coyle, Chairperson Foxrock Cabinteely GAA said:
“We are delighted to announce the opening of our new, high-quality pitches at Foxrock Cabinteely GAA. This investment marks a significant milestone for our club, enabling us to host a range of activities and matches at our home ground in Kilbogget. The addition of flood lighting is especially noteworthy, as it extends training and playing hours into the winter evenings when they are most needed. We extend our thanks to all who have made this possible, and we eagerly anticipate the memories that will be created for our players and members on these new pitches and fantastic facility.”
Kilbogget Park currently has:
Kilbogget Park now stands as a hub for health and well-being, with these facilities contributing significantly to the local area’s sports landscape. We would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Sports Capital Unit for their support and part funding of the pitches and running track.