Dublin GAA club forced to surrender their premises to religious order

Dublin GAA club Parnells have been forced to surrender their state of the art club premises and pitches back to the Marist Order.

The Coolock club, who sold their old grounds near Dublin airport - a 22 acre site - for a reported €22.5 million during the Celtic Tiger (2007), revealed the news in a club post on social media.

Parnells have run into serious financial difficulty over the years with this latest news a massive blow to the club, with the clubhouse a major community hub.

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A statement by the Club Executive read: “These facilities are now under the control and ownership of the Marist Order, to be used for educational and community activities in line with and in conjunction with their existing operations at Chanel College.

“Having completed this surrender, the Executive Committee will now work with the membership and other stakeholders to determine the best path forward for the promotion of Gaelic Games in the Coolock and Artane community.

“Members will be updated further on plans and next steps for 2025.”

Parnells now face an uncertain future, but will hope to continue using the facilities.

Back in 2009 Parnells were giving planning permission for a new €30 million development, which included a club house, gym, bar, pitches, houses, apartments and a medical facility.

News of the development was a major boost for the community at the time, but it has now turned sour with financial difficulties first emerging over a decade ago.

Parnells is the home club of Dublin’s nine-time All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton, who captained the county to six of those Sam Maguire triumphs.

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