Four Steps on the Road to Robinstown and The Field

2022AGM

Mullingar Shamrocks Club Chairperson, David Nohilly informed the members that acquiring additional grounds was now a priority for the club and it was essential that an examination of all viable options take place during the year. Nothing could be ruled out but “satellite pitches were of doubtful value”. In the search for viable alternatives, the possibility of “leaving our superb facilities in Springfield” would have to be considered. “We have to move independently and stop relying on the local authorities who are prepared to forget about the club and look to independent landholders to help. We are desperately running out of space”.

Anniversary Banquet: President of the GAA, Larry McCarthy sets out the challenge: “ You need pitches … Go knock on Doors”

Larry McCarthy in his address challenged the officers of the club: “Given that Mullingar Shamrocks make such a contribution to community you should not be shy about knocking on Robert Troy TD's door or Peter Burke TD's door and asking them for money and for investment or knocking on the door of Westmeath County Council and the local authorities or political entities and asking for investment because the return on investment that the GAA gives in terms of any investment made is off the charts, the ROI is incredible. Don’t be afraid to say this is what we are doing for our community. We need help. You do need help. You need pitches. You need more land in this town. Go knock on doors. You deserve it, I suggest to you”.

August 2023

Ray Smyth knocked on the most important door of all and supported by Dónal O’Donoghue the negotiations with Kevin and Helen Lynch to purchase 20 acres of land began. The negotiations, with Club Chairperson David Nohilly and Secretary Garrett Doyle in supportive roles, were successfully concluded on 30 November 2023

2023 AGM: David Nohilly breaks the good news

At the 2022 AGM, David Nohilly made the big reveal “Today we signed contracts for the purchase of twenty acres across the river and in January there will be a major fundraising exercise taking place. I spoke at the last AGM about the fact that it was almost as though we were landlocked and it was very difficult to foresee our future, our viability, but I think today now that we committed to purchasing twenty acres it will mean up to three new pitches, a new clubhouse, and an new entrance coming off the Robinstown Road … The purchase of the land would not have happened without Ray Smyth The negotiations had been going on for the past 4 months but Ray and Dónal O’Donoghue have to be commended”.