Plan to develop sports campus in booming Cork town taking shape 

An ambitious plan to develop rugby and athletics facilities at Kilnagleary has morphed into a broader vison for a dedicated community sports campus to support the long term sporting needs of Carrigaline and the wider area.

Originally progressed by Carrigaline Rugby Club before partnering with Carrigaline Athletics Club, the project has expanded following engagement with local organisations and Cork County Council.

The shared rugby and athletics development has grown into a proposal that could also support basketball, Special Olympics, Order of Malta, schools, voluntary groups and families.

Carrigaline Sports Partnership CLG, established to progress the original project, is now working to broaden participation and governance to reflect this wider community vision.

The expanded Community Sports Campus group has been working collaboratively under the chairmanship of John McNulty, of Carrigaline Basketball Club, supported by a Memorandum of Understanding between participating organisations.

Benefits of community collaboration

The president of Carrigaline Rugby Club, Billy Barrett, said the evolution of the project demonstrates the benefits of working together: “The original ambition was to provide much-needed rugby and athletics facilities, but as engagement widened it became clear that a shared community approach made the most sense,” said Mr Barrett.

“By working together, we can develop facilities that are used more often, by more people, and deliver greater long-term benefit.”

An independent needs analysis on the initiative completed in May and June 2025 received responses from 3,697 people — approximately one-fifth of Carrigaline’s population — with 99.5% supporting the development of a community sports campus.

Almost 70% indicated they expected to use the proposed facilities at least weekly.

Engagement also took place with 26 sporting, voluntary and community organisations and 15 local schools, highlighting the growing need for additional community infrastructure in what is one of Cork’s fastest-growing towns.

Swimming facilities emerged as the highest community priority.

Cork County Council has advised that future pool provision is being assessed through a wider Cork city and county strategic review. The project team has submitted the Carrigaline survey findings and will continue to advocate for public swimming facilities based on strong evidence of demand.

Working with Cork County Council

The project team continues to work closely with Cork County Council, supported by Seamus McGrath TD, local area county councillors Jack White and Patrick Donovan, and the wider Carrigaline Municipal District.

The council has assigned an engineering team to assess the Kilnagleary site and examine how the community sports campus can be progressed.

This builds on more than five years of voluntary work by Carrigaline Sports Partnership CLG, including technical assessments, design development and securing planning permission for the original rugby and athletics facilities.

Funds raised through the Campervan Raffle also played an important role in supporting professional assessments and planning preparation that provide a foundation for the next stage.

Shared ambition

Acknowledging the progress achieved Seamus McGrath said it demonstrates what can be achieved when local organisations come together with a shared ambition.

“A huge amount of voluntary effort has gone into bringing the project to this stage, and I will continue to support the team as they work with Cork County Council to progress this important community project.”

Jack White and Patrick Donovan also welcomed the collaboration between local organisations, volunteers, elected representatives and Cork County Council in progressing a vision that can serve Carrigaline for generations.

The project team recently welcomed Minister of State Charlie McConalogue to the Kilnagleary site to discuss the proposal and the significant progress made.

The immediate focus is now on working with Cork County Council to agree the most appropriate first phase of development and identify future funding opportunities.

The long-term ambition remains the delivery of an inclusive community sports campus that creates a lasting sporting, recreational and community legacy for Carrigaline and future generations.