Kildare club's Field of Dreams is now a reality
Scoil Bhride NS footballers try out the new skills wall
COMPLETING the €1 million Kilcullen GAA Field of Dreams project shows what is possible when everyone works together as a community, the club chairman, Trevor Schwer told the large crowd at the recent grand opening. He described the facility as an investment in the club's future and a commitment to its members that will serve both Kilcullen GAA and the wider community for generations to come.
Speaking in the company of Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon TD and Martin Murphy of the club Development Committee, the chairman expressed his sincere thanks to all the project partners and the donors who had made it a reality.
He especially thanked the club volunteers, coaches and mentors, describing them as the glue that holds the whole thing together.
"The club does not function without your continued commitment to it and your community, for which you deserve huge credit and recognition."
He concluded by extending an invitation to all those who have not joined the club to come and be a part of it, and to those who are playing to keep turning up "as a fantastic example for us all."
Minister Heydon said it was a privilege and honour to be part of a huge, important day for everyone in the footballing community.
"Everybody involved here should be very proud of what has been achieved," he said. "As a past pupil of the Cross and Passion College back in the 1990s, I have watched with great pride in recent years as the club and the wider community have welcomed so many new residents to the area.
"I believe that you are one of the best clubs in this constituency for genuinely offering a warm, open and meaningful welcome to new people into this club, which has benefited you as a club and the community far more than you may realise. It has fostered a sense of belonging for those not born and raised in the town."
Commenting on the club's growth since the current clubhouse was built in 2002, the minister recalled switching on the new floodlights in 2017. "Who would have thought that only eight years later you would have what is here now?"
He noted that the more than €250,000 made available through grants, the local sponsorships and donations, and the GAA support, have facilitated the club's continued development.
The minister concluded by acknowledging the members of the development committee for the achievement of the Field of Dreams, saying some people thought that maybe the level of ambition was too much when the committee started on this road, but the club leadership had rowed in wholeheartedly behind them.
"It takes bravery to follow those who are ambitious, but everybody in this community and this club will benefit as a result of that ambition."
Martin Murphy credited the fantastic group driving the project from day one, name-checking Teresa O'Loughlin, Trevor Schwer, Debbie O'Brien, Barry Griffith, Emma McLarnen, John White, and Nick Egan.
He also acknowledged that a project of such a size could not have been achieved without the support of the community and business.
He gave a huge thanks to partners Kilsaran, CMT Transport, The Interiors Group, Murphy Design, ALS Identify, Platt Reilly Ltd, Ashbourne Meats, Healy Tyres, Appleton Property, Bord na Mona, King Koil and Nahanagan Electrical Engineering Services.
"Many people helped and supported the project from day one in so many different ways, either providing services, expertise, or helping out when required. The greatest compliment I can give people of Kilcullen and the surrounding areas is that anytime I picked up the phone and asked for help, I never got a no; it was always yes.
"I want to say a big thank you to all of you. You know who you are. People can now answer their phones without wondering what Martin Murphy wants, so thank you."
He also thanked local representatives, councillors, senators and TDs for facilitating the grants awarded to the project.
"Finally, the Field of Dreams is open for the club's current and future players and the community. I hope everybody enjoys this wonderful facility as much as the development committee and the club have enjoyed building it over the last three years."
Following a blessing of the area by Fr Gary Darby, a three-scissors cutting of a symbolic ribbon was carried out, and the Field of Dreams was proclaimed a dream no more.
