COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
MOTION NO.17
MOTION: Councillor A. Hayes
That this Committee calls on the Chief Executive to deliver a municipal all-weather, multi-use pitch facility within the Palmerstown/Fonthill LEA, supported by appropriate drainage, lighting and ancillary infrastructure, to ensure year-round access for local sports clubs, schools and community groups.
REPORT:
A sports pitch strategy was adopted in 2020 providing an evidence base and recommendations for future outdoor sports facility development, using analysis of supply and demand for grass and artificial pitches in our administrative area. The strategy was developed based on national policy and guidance, and input from sport governing bodies and local stakeholders. It is focused principally on football, Gaelic games, rugby union, hockey, cricket and athletics and is the primary basis for determining future locations for delivery of additional artificial grass pitches by the council given its detailed analysis of pitch usage and current/projected team numbers.
The strategy recommended the provision of a minimum of five new artificial pitches distributed across the county and implementation to date has seen:
- Two pitches completed (at Airlie Park and Sean Walsh Park).
- Two further pitches with planning permission (one full GAA-size and one for football) in Clonburris SDZ and currently at detailed design stage.
- Another pitch approved this month in Greenhills Park that will now progress to detailed design.
Given the identified and increasing demand for pitches for both training and matches, our current three-year capital programme included an increased allocation of €9.35million for the sports pitch strategy with a view to delivering a number of additional pitches. Accordingly, various sites are currently being considered and evaluated, including a site for a full-size multi-sport all weather pitch in North Clondalkin, details of which are intended to be presented to local elected members in the coming weeks once further feasibility assessments are complete.