Launch of Nenagh walkway
Plaque unveiling in honour of GAA visionary
There will be a great sense of occasion at MacDonagh Park on this bank holiday Monday as Nenagh Éire Óg formally launches its new community walkway.
The event will also see the unveiling of a plaque honouring Frank R Maloney, key player in the formation of the GAA nationally and of the Nenagh club. Plaques are also to be unveiled at Maloney's former home on Pearse St and his final resting place at Lisboney (see article on page 18).
There has been widespread interest in the walkway, a 2.5km amenity that Éire Óg is developing for the use of all in the community. Part of a multi-phase expansion of the club's premises - that has also seen the recent development of a new playing field - the walkway will provide a new route from St Conlon's Road to the Dark Road.
Three metres wide and surfaced with compacted dry fill, the walkway will be fenced, illuminated and available all-year-round. It has gates that can be closed at night. A committee has been formed to look after the security and ongoing management of the new facility.
Éire Óg is inviting people to come along this Monday and see the progress that has been made. The club will also use the event to launch a new fundraiser - Nenagh Community Walkathon - which is planned for the August bank holiday weekend. This will be a 24-hour walk aimed at raising funds to fully complete the walkway and additional elements of the Éire Óg expansion, while also benefitting local charities.
John Tooher, Éire Óg Vice Chairperson and Development Manager, outlined the background to the project. He said that during the Covid-19 lockdown, Éire Óg identified a need to strengthen ties with the community.
This led to the club relaunching its lotto as a community lotto, pledging €500 to local charities every 10 weeks. So far, €10,000 has been donated to local causes.
“Building on this spirit, we’re now launching a Nenagh Community Walkathon Fundraiser as a key part of our further fundraising development efforts,” Mr Tooher said.
“Thanks to the generous financial support of Tipperary County Council, Arrabawn, Analog Devices, and our club’s own fundraising efforts, we have successfully completed over 1km of our new community walkway. It is also important to acknowledge the wider business community for their invaluable continuous support- particularly Specsavers, whose original generous contribution was instrumental in unlocking the full potential of our development plans.”
He also took the opportunity to thank Shane O’Gorman for facilitating the electrical aspects of the development, along with John Mackey civils and Eamon Darmody for the new field construction.
“This walkway is part of our long-term vision to complete a 2.5km track - an essential element of our second-phase development plan. We look forward to continuing this journey together, with your support every step of the way.”
WALKATHON
The Nenagh Community Walkathon is to start at 4pm on Sunday, August 3 and continue until 4pm the following day. Éire Óg is calling on businesses, families, sports clubs, charity groups and friends to join one of 24 walkathon teams (one-hour slots) and walk the 2.5km loop that will form the new route when finished. The club is also encouraging people living remotely to organise walkathons of their own.
Funds raised through this initiative will directly support the final phase development of a new pitch and dressing rooms (costed at €200,000), as well as completion of the 2.5km community walkway (€100,000), and finalisation of a state-of-the-art modular gym (€50,000).
Mr Tooher said participants would also have the option of using the Walkathon to raise funding for their chosen charity and share proceeds with Éire Óg.
“Nenagh Éire Óg GAA Club is more than just a sporting organisation,” he said. “We’re a vibrant part of the Nenagh community, with over 600 members active in hurling, football, camogie, and handball. Our goal is to continue growing and upgrading our facilities to support our members and serve the broader community for generations to come.”
Mr Tooher encouraged people to contact Éire Óg for further information.
“Every step, every euro, every hour matters. Let’s create something truly special together.”
The event schedule for this Monday is a welcome address at 3pm. It will be followed by the Maloney plaque unveiling at 3.15pm.
The official launch of the community walkway will be performed by Éire Óg President Jimmy Morris at 3.30pm and will be followed by a guided tour of the newly completed field. Refreshments will be served thereafter. All are welcome.