Sod is turned on sports facility in East Mayo
Fr Tommy Johnson turns the sod for East Mayo Athletics Club's new running track in Charlestown. Also pictured are committee members of the club and students from St Attracta's National School. Picture: John O'Grady
It was a gloriously sunny day in Charlestown on Wednesday last as the East Mayo Athletic and Special Olympics Club turned the sod on its planned six-lane floodlit 200m synthetic grass running track, including a 5G astro-surface in the centre, a long jump, a throwing area, and a new cross-country training layout.
Attendees included Cllr Gerry Murray and Cllr Patsy O’Brien, representatives from local businesses, local school students, teachers and the wider Charlestown community, as well as project manager Paul O'Connor, from PST Sport; Liam Hegarty and Killian Sweeney, from the club's main sponsor, Hegarty’s Centra Bellaghy; committee members and coaches, and club members of all age groups. Representatives from Special Olympics Ireland also attended and received a warm welcome given the club’s special links with Special Olympics.
The club was delighted to have Fr Tommy Johnston turn the first sod on this €400,000 faciilty, which will be located at the rear of St Attracta’s National School and adjacent to Charlestown Swimming Pool and Riverwalk.
The project cost will be funded by the club’s fundraising, a Sports Capital Grant of €119,000 with any shortfall being funded by a loan from Community Finance Ireland. The club has received enormous community support and is extremely grateful for this.
The club’s main fundraiser this year will be a Lip Sync Battle which will take place at the Park Hotel in Kiltimagh on March 29th. It promises to be a night not to be missed. Local talent will battle it out to be crowned the winners of the Lip Sync Battle 2025. Funds from this event will help build a fantastic sporting facility in Charlestown for current and future generations.
The club is also busy planning for the East Mayo AC Colm Horkan Run 2025, which will take place on Sunday, May 18th, with all funds from this event also going to the track project. Entries are open at www.eventmaster.ie/event.
For more information or to donate, please visit the club’s website at www.eastmayoac.ie.
