Donnelly proposes permanent home for Ardmore Rovers in new Fassaroe development

Stephen Donnelly, Fianna Fáil TD for Wicklow has submitted a proposal to Wicklow County Council for a permanent home for Ardmore Rovers Football Club as part of major plans for development at Fassaroe.

The club, which currently has 650 active members, is at present forced to use eight different locations across the north of the county. The crisis at the club is only set to get worse as member numbers are expected to increase to 800 by 2020.

Deputy Donnelly’s proposal would see the 42 acres of active space used as an ambitious new sports campus to serve Bray, Enniskerry, Kilmacanogue and the entire of North Wicklow.

Speaking following a meeting with Rory Vance of the Ardmore 2020 Committee, Deputy Donnelly commented, “Right now, we have a unique opportunity to provide a permanent home for Ardmore Rovers and a whole host of other sports clubs in the north of the county.

“Ardmore Rovers is an amazing club with a strong active membership and management team. But they need a home – they’ve been searching for one for many years. Right now, Ardmore members, including children, are having to get changed at the side of the pitch during the winter because they have no access to facilities – but we can put this to an end in just 5 years, if we seize this opportunity.

“The planned development in Fassaroe represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a permanent home for Ardmore Rovers, and many other fantastic clubs in the area. As part of the Bray & Enniskerry Local Area Plan consultation, I have made a formal submission that such a sports campus be created. But it needs support – from Ardmore members and supporters, and from sports enthusiasts across Wicklow. I’m calling these people to get behind the proposal for a sports campus by contacting Wicklow County Council, by letter or email, and registering your support.

“Wicklow has enjoyed international sporting success through extraordinary athletes like Katie Taylor, , Darren Randolph, Daina Moorehous and Paul Dunne. We should build on this momentum, on the growing interest in sports among people of all ages, and in the amazing ethos of volunteering that surrounds sports in Wicklow. With a dedicated sports campus, we can make Wicklow one of the sporting capitals of Leinster and the entire country.”