Páirc Tailteann upgrade could see Meath play home games behind enemy lines
The project is now out to tender and work is expected to start with the demolition of the main stand - built over 70 years ago - after the Meath senior football and hurling championships finish this autumn.
The ambitious project includes plans for a new 5,000 seater stand, improved accessibility, upgraded dressing room facilities, floodlighting, and media infrastructure. It's understood that the cost of the project could be in excess of €20 million.
The fast tracking of the plans, first muted in 2016, will mean that Meath will be on the lookout for a new home venue for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne's impressive facility has hosted O'Byrne Cup and under 20 matches but it's unlikely to be big enough for the Meath senior footballers home matches in the Allianz League Division 2 and next year's Leinster Championship.
TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar is another alternative venue on the table but a more likely solution could be found across the border in Dublin with Parnell Park and indeed Croke Park already mentioned as a temporary home for Meath.
The 83,000 capacity of Croke Park would be far too big but the GAA could be tempted to look at a Spring series of double headers involving Dublin home Division 1 games and Meath's home Division 2 games to generate extra revenue.
Division 2 next year will be made up of Meath, Tyrone, Derry, Louth, Cork, Cavan, Offaly and Kildare and with Meath having brought huge crowds to Croke Park this summer for their Championship games, a Spring series could be considered. Meath's Ruairí Kinsella celebrates after the final whistle (Image: ©INPHO/Ben Brady)
Kildare played their Allianz League home games in Carlow last year while St Conleth's Park was being upgraded while Louth have been playing at Iniskeen in Monaghan while they await their new stadium to be built.
The Páirc Tailteann upgrade has been hit with a series of speed bumps but sufficient funding now means the project can start, although on a smaller scale than first proposed.
A statement from Meath GAA said: 'Meath GAA is pleased to announce that the redevelopment of Páirc Tailteann has officially moved to the tender phase, marking a major milestone for the project.
'The stadium, which has served as a proud home to Gaelic games in Meath for decades, is set to undergo significant upgrades aimed at enhancing the match-day experience for players, supporters, and visitors alike.
'The project includes plans for a new 5,000 seater stand, improved accessibility, upgraded dressing room facilities, floodlighting, and media infrastructure.
Speaking about the development, Jason Plunkett, Meath GAA County Committee Chairperson, said: 'The decision to go to tender for a new 5,000-seater stand marks a major milestone in the redevelopment of Páirc Tailteann. This project represents a bold investment in the future of Meath GAA — providing a modern, inclusive, and first-class facility for players, supporters, and the wider community. We are proud to take this next step in delivering a stadium that reflects the pride and passion of the Royal County.'
Páirc Tailteann CLG Chairperson, Noel Dempsey, said: 'Moving to the tender phase of the Páirc Tailteann development marks a major step forward for this project to provide state-of-the-art facilities for our supporters and players.
'It is the culmination of a long and detailed process of planning and design, which was badly disrupted by events outside the control of Meath GAA. But today brings our goal of providing top-class facilities for our national games within our grasp in the immediate future.
'I look forward to working with our clubs and County Committee to finally realise the dream of so many of our loyal supporters to have a county venue that reflects the important place that the GAA has in our county.'
'Five contractors have been shortlisted for the project following a shortlisting process which took place earlier this year. The tender phase will last approximately two months, and the successful tenderer will be appointed in Q4 2025, with construction expected to begin in this period also.
'The project is being supported through a combination of GAA central funding, large-scale infrastructure funding from the Department of Sport, and funding secured through the IIP scheme operated by the Department of Justice, and own funds generated by Meath GAA.'
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