Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence Secures Major Funding Boost

Roscommon GAA is delighted to announce a major milestone for the county with confirmation that the Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence will receive €10 million in funding under the Department of Justice Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) Fund. The funding was confirmed earlier today by Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD and Roscommon GAA extends its sincere thanks to Mr O ’Callaghan and his department for their support. 

This long-awaited news represents a transformative moment for Roscommon GAA and the wider community, paving the way for the development of a world-class sporting and community facility that will serve generations to come.

The €10 million allocation, coupled with the previously sanctioned €5.5 million under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) 2024, will bring this landmark project significantly closer to reality. Roscommon GAA extends sincere thanks to Thomas Byrne, Minister for Sport in 2024, for his support in securing the €5.5 million allocation.

The funding will support the development of essential infrastructure at the Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence, including a sports pavilion , high-performance gym, training pitches, and a dedicated training area. The project will also include the installation of floodlighting, ensuring the facilities can be utilised year-round to their full potential.

This critical investment marks a significant step forward in realising Roscommon GAA’s vision for a comprehensive Centre of Excellence that will meet the needs of boys and girls, men and women, across the county and wider region.

Roscommon GAA would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the many individuals and organisations who have supported this project throughout its journey to date. In particular, we wish to thank our public representatives, the dedicated volunteers who contributed countless hours to the development process, Roscommon County Council, Connacht GAA, the Gaelic Athletic Association, local schools throughout the region, and the various National Governing Bodies whose unwavering support was instrumental in securing this funding.

A special word of thanks is also extended to Martin Daly TD, who has worked tirelessly since his election to help deliver this funding. Roscommon GAA greatly appreciates the support of all public representatives who have supported this project throughout the journey.

The Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence stands as a testament to Roscommon GAA’s commitment to creating a premier sporting and community hub for the county. This support now provides the platform to fully realise Roscommon GAA’s long-standing vision for the development.

This landmark project aligns with Roscommon GAA’s broader vision of delivering positive social, sporting, and economic impact across the county. The Centre of Excellence will not only provide state-of-the-art facilities for players and members, but will also serve as a venue capable of hosting major events and acting as a source of pride for the entire community.

Roscommon GAA looks forward to continuing this exciting journey alongside its members, supporters, and the wider community. Together, we are building a brighter future for sport in Roscommon and creating a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Speaking following the announcement, Roscommon GAA Chairman Tom Murray expressed his delight at securing the funding and paid tribute to all those who contributed to the project.

“This is a hugely significant and proud day for Roscommon GAA and for the wider community,” said Tom Murray. “The confirmation of this funding marks a major milestone in our journey to develop the Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence into a first-class sporting and community facility for future generations.

“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who played a role in helping secure this funding — our public representatives, Roscommon County Council, Connacht GAA, the GAA at national level, our clubs, schools, volunteers, and all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes over many years to bring the project to this stage.

“This investment is a tremendous vote of confidence in our vision for the future of Roscommon GAA. The Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence will provide outstanding facilities for our players and members, while also delivering lasting social and economic benefits for the entire county.

“Today’s announcement is a major step forward and gives us the opportunity to fully realise our long-term vision for this development. We look forward to progressing the project with the continued support of our members, supporters, and the wider community.”