'Onwards and upwards' for Bohola Mayo GAA development

The proposed development of a €15 million Mayo GAA Centre of Excellence and other sporting facilities on land at Bohola is the foresight the county needs according to a local councillor.

Lands gifted by Bohola native and UK-based developer, Bill Durkan close to the east Mayo village are proposed to become the Mayo GAA Centre of Excellence while Mayo LGFA also propose to locate their training facilities there after agreeing a partnership and a licence agreement with Durkan Bohola Community Park.

A full sized GAA field, training field, car parking area, clubhouse and a stand at the Bohola site is also being developed by the Durkan Bohola Community Park committee.

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Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Claremorris/Swinford Municipal District, local councillor Adrian Forkan said that this project will be one of the biggest in the county and it was important councillors in the municipal district know what is happening and support it.

The Fianna Fáil councillor asked that the Durkan Bohola Community Park committee address the next meeting of the municipal district and give an update.

“It is a huge development going on within our municipal district which a lot of the councillors would need to know about. It will be the Mayo GAA Centre of Excellence both for the LGFA and the GAA.

“It is being backed by local man Bill Durkan and we hope that through the Government we will get full backing on it,” he said.

Cllr Forkan commented that the work on the project is ongoing with the onsite investigation nearing completion and the first section should be soon going to tender. The Kiltimagh-based councillor welcomed the agreement with Mayo LGFA and said that the whole project showed the foresight needed in the county.

“Well over €1 million has already been spent on it and its onwards and upwards and the committee wants to come in to give us a full breakdown of where this is going.

“It will be a great news story for Mayo GAA. We have heard all the bad news in the last couple of weeks with no pitches or development and having no foresight. Well this is foresight and it is something we should be pushing on our side.

“It is happening in our area and I would ask that the lads come in and give a full breakdown of where the project is going and where it is intended to be and how long it will take,” he said.

His proposal was supported by Foxford-based councillor Neil Cruise and Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District, Cllr Damien Ryan, who said that they will try to accommodate the committee's attendance at the next monthly meeting.