On behalf of the Grounds committee I would like to give you a quick update on developments of our new Home in Somerton over the summer.

Phase 1 Pitches

Following the setbacks caused by the severe weather of last winter in which we had heavy frost and snow for prolonged periods which caused the delay in the early spring growth, the damp and warm summer has been kind to development of our pitches. The pitches are nearly ready for us to allow the commencement of games, however the Grounds committee have taken the decision to defer the opening of the pitches until spring 2011.

We feel this is the best decision for the long-term future of our new excellent pitches and will give us all an incentive to get fit for the new year. The grounds committee would like to thank all the members for their continued support and co-operation with regard to this matter and we hope you understand that these decisions are taken only in the best interests of the long-term future of the grounds in mind.

Phase 2 Pitches and surrounds

We are pleased to inform you that all works associated with phase 2 are due to be finished by the end of September. This is to include the finishing of the Hurling wall, path to the hurling wall, Lighting of the hurling wall and the tarmac finishing from the all-weather training facility out to the grounds edge at Somerton lane. Our new Shed is now complete with the ESB connection having been made this morning. The ESB will be fully operational once the meter is installed in the coming days.

The construction of the Shed epitomises the club as a whole as it was constructed over a number of weekends by skilled club members giving up even more of their spare time for the good of the club. A few of the good men were Pat McKeon, Sean Carolan, Michael Geraghty, Jim Prunty, Joe Coyle, John Corkery, Paul Hughes, Conor Deasy, Donal Cunningham, Niall Tutty and of course Mick Lynch. There were more, and to those who I may have left out I apologise and on behalf of the club, thanks to all again for all the hard work.

Phase 3 Club House

We are presently preparing tenders for the clubhouse, working with Fingal County Council to ensure everything is in place to meet their satisfaction and also putting together the financial arrangements to allow us fund the final phase of our project.

The above 3 tasks are demanding and all have to be in place before we can commence Phase 3.It is envisaged at this point that works on the clubhouse will commence in Somerton in the early months of 2011 and that we hope to be togging out in the new changing rooms in early Autumn 2011.

If you have questions, suggestions or wish to lend your expertise or assistance to the Grounds Committee please do not hesitate to contact me at jmcmen@gmail.com or through our regular email castleknockgaapitches@gmail.com .

Click here for latest photos >> 

John McMenamin

Grounds Committee Chairman

Artists impression of what Castleknock's new ground development will look like.
As can be seen from the images below the new development is underway.
Our images below will show progress as it takes place.

June 2009 - Grass growing well on both Senior 2 and Junvenile pitches

June 2009 - Sub-structure block work complete for Changing Rooms & Club House.
Note masts on right hand side for Senior 1 pitch flood-lighting.

May 2009 - Foundations poured for Changing rooms & Club house


April 2009 - Grass seed sown on 2nd Senior pitch & Juvenile pitch on Good Friday 10th April

April 2009 - Senior Pitch 1 leveled


April 2009 - ESB removes Electric poles on Good Friday 10th April

September 2008 - Grounds excavated for dessing rooms/clubhouse.
Castleknock Hotel & Country Club pictured in the background


August 2008 - Another view of new pitches with gravel shores for drainage


August 2008 - Goalposts are erected, however these serve as protection for the overhead electric cables.
Note the gravel shores which will drain surface water from the pitches when they are complete.


June 2008 - Topsoil cleared to lower end of grounds


June 2008 -Excavation work started with the clearing of topsoil


May 2008 - grass mown, baled & wrapped as silage in preperation for the arrival of mechanical equipment

April 2008 - Above members of Castleknock GAA Club with local politicians at Grounds Development Launch.
Pictured on right hand side is Fr. Dan Joe O'Mahony who blessed the grounds after cutting of the sod 

April 2008 - Minister Brian Lenihan, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, GAA President Nickey Brennan and Castleknock Club Chairman Mick Lynch cutting the sod on 28th April 2008

Spring 2008 - Aerial view of the "New Home" of Casteknock Hurling & Football Club's grounds
prior to commencement of the ground development