St Jarlath's was given the go ahead for the full-size synthetic GAA pitch, as well as a two-storey building with a gym, dressing rooms, kitchen and multi-purpose room, by Galway County Council towards the end of 2021.

ST Jarlath’s College reapplies for field of dreams

ST. Jarlath’s College has reapplied for planning permission to build a full-size synthetic GAA pitch, a significant development that would be the first of its kind for any secondary school in the county.

The Tuam secondary school was given the go ahead for the full-size synthetic GAA pitch, as well as a two-storey building with a gym, dressing rooms, kitchen and multi-purpose room, by Galway County Council towards the end of 2021.

The school recently applied to the local authority again for the development, as the five-year planning permission period was due to expire.

The Joe and Helen O’Toole Charitable Trust, Tuam has already pledged €1million in support of the project. St. Jarlath’s College was granted €2million in funding for the facility in 2024 under the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure (LSSIF).

Fencing and floodlighting are also included in the plans. The synthetic pitch is earmarked for a large greenfield site that adjoins the training pitches in the school.

Planners have until November 24 to make a decision.