Idle Glanmire land 'should be returned to Cork County Council' says TD

A Cork North Central TD has made renewed calls for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to surrender the lease on 30 acres of land in Glanmire, which has been lying idle for over a decade, back to Cork County Council.

Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said that the 30 acres of land at Brooklodge, Glanmire, which has been leased to the FAI since 2017 by Cork County Council, should be surrendered so that much needed sports facilities in the area can be developed.

The site had been earmarked for a proposed FAI centre of excellence in Cork, but the plans were shelved in 2023.

Mr Burke outlined that the council first engaged with the FAI as far back as 2011 and 2012 about providing land for sporting use.

Mr Burke said: “This land has been lying unused for years while local sports clubs are under real pressure for space. That situation cannot continue.

“This (Glanmire) is a rapidly growing area with a young population. Clubs are doing huge work on the ground but they need proper facilities to support that growth."

Mr Burke added that the most practical solution now is to return the land to local control.

“The lease should be surrendered back to Cork County Council so we can begin consultations with sports groups on how to turn 30 acres into sports facilities that are so badly needed.

“While these lands are in the county, it would also be important that there is co-operation between Cork County Council and Cork City Council in ensuring their delivery for sports use.

“This is about delivering for the community. We need to move on this and ensure this land is finally put to productive use.”