Council gives green light for two North Cork padel courts 

Planning permission has been granted for two padel centres in North Cork.

Cork County Council has given the go-ahead for a five-court indoor centre at Mallow’s GAA complex and two modular courts in a supermarket car park in Fermoy.

In Mallow, Go Padel Ltd has been granted permission for an indoor padel building on St Joseph’s Road, Carrigoon. The facility will also include a separate two-toilet block, a reception and store building, and a car park with vehicle and pedestrian access.

The council sought further information on opening hours and amplified sound, given the site’s proximity to homes. The applicant said the centre will be open from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week, with no PA system, loudspeakers, or amplified music. It said the courts will be fully enclosed, with internally directed lighting.

The council also asked how the scheme would fit with works already permitted at the complex, including a hurling wall, a car-park extension, and bioretention basins. Mallow GAA responded separately on that point.

The conditions set noise limits for nearby homes and require a noise management plan. A development contribution of €23,057 is also due to the council.

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in Ireland. The Padel Federation of Ireland counts more than 50 courts. Cork-based operator Padel Sports 100 launched a €5m fundraiser under the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme in September 2025, to instal 300 padel courts nationwide by December 2027.

In Fermoy, Padel Sports 100 has been granted a five-year permission for two modular courts at the Lidl store on Courthouse Rd. The courts, each about 20m by 10m, will have an artificial grass surface, 4m fencing around parts of the perimeter, and 6m integrated LED lighting. They will sit on a base placed over hardstanding, with no foundations.

The applicant told the council that co-locating with Lidl allows it to offer 2,000 free court hours a year across the two courts, from 11am to 3pm on week days. The free hours are aimed at schools, charities, youth groups, disability organisations, and older people.