Minister Humphreys cutting ribbon at Opening Ceremony – also included are Tipperary CEO Joe McGrath, Mr John Magnier Coolmore Stud, Katie Cahill and Mathew McMahon – Image credit – John Kelly
Minister Heather Humphreys travelled to Fethard yesterday to officially open the state of the art community sports and recreation campus at Fethard Town Park. The wider community, sports clubs, schools and Tipperary LGFA are all set to benefit from the new facility delivered at a cost of €7.14M. The opening event also included John Magnier, his daughter Kate & Granddaughter Alice Wachman from Coolmore Stud.
The once derelict site adjacent to schools and residential areas has been transformed into a 26-acre park with two full-size playing pitches, training areas, 3km of walking pathways, community pavilion with changing facilities, café, gym, fitness studio: sensory garden, expansive parkland, and car parking. The new park will also serve as a Regional Centre of Excellence for Munster Rugby, Tipperary GAA Football and Tipperary Ladies Football. Tipperary CEO Joe McGrath also attended the event and says that ‘this project would not have been possible had it not been for the strong vision, support and commitment of the Magnier Family’.
€3 million in funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was matched with local funds from The Magnier Foundation, Tipperary County Council and community fundraising. Minister Humphreys says “the strong public private partnership investment in Fethard will deliver positive long-term health and wellbeing benefits for the people of Fethard and the wider Tipperary region.”
The day was marked by a celebrity match featuring stars such as Rachel Blackmore, Seamus Callanan and Aisling Moloney with Joanne O’Riordan providing commentary. The park will have a dedicated manager, Mr Maurice Moloney – full details of the park facilities are available on the website – fethardtownpark.ie
