A single-story house with a dark gray roof and light-colored walls, situated in a rural area with rolling hills covered in greenery and patches of farmland in the background.

History

The Company came to fruition as a result of the GAA and other likeminded Community Groups showing great initiative by coming together to fill a void in the area re: sport and recreational facilities, mainly due to the lack of investment in the area. This project provided the framework for funding and investment in the area by Local, National as well as European interest groups in which Pobal plays a major role. This project has been a great success in sustaining services and employment in the area in a very difficult economic climate. It is felt by the Company that the value of this facility to the community is significant, particularly as we are situated in a disadvantaged CLAR area, with our ethos of providing services of inclusion within the community while at the same time the running of a business is maintained.

The facility at Meenbannivane is on 2.225Ha of ground which is owned by Knocknagoshel GAA Club. Part of the facility is leased to Knocknagoshel Sports and Recreational Association Ltd. This is a Company Limited by Guarantee set up in 2001 with no share Capital under Memorandum & Articles of Association. The Company is run by ten Directors, five from Knocknagoshel Gaa Club and five from Community Groups within the Parish.  It currently employs three full time staff. The payroll for the staff is funded by Pobal under its Community Services Programme. We provide an important service in terms of physical and recreational activities for the people that use our facilities in a catchment area from Abbeyfeale to Castleisland.

Back in 2012 our Company began an ambitious plan to improve our facilities at Meenbannivane, Knocknagoshel.

Community Gym

Knocknagoshel Sports & Recreational Association Company CLG, was incorporated under the Companies Act on the 19th March 2002 and is governed within the rules of the Articles of Association. The board consists of 5 Members from the GAA and 5 from the local community.

Location

It is located in the GAA grounds in Knocknagoshel.  The area occupied by the company is subject of a lease agreement between the GAA and the Company which is registered with the Property Registration Authority of Ireland.

Infrastructure

Fully equipped Gym /Changing Rooms /Log Cabin for aerobics, community meetings / Developed outdoor training area.

Projects

There were a number of areas that needed further improvements at that time. Originally, we hoped this development would be completed in one phase. Due to the recession and the economic climate then, the plan was readjusted to be completed in 2 Phases.

  • The Gymnasium area needed to be increased to accommodate equipment and satisfy the demands of increasing membership so it was proposing to erect an extension to existing structure.

    Phase I of the development was completed by the Company in 2016 with support from the Sports Capital Grant and Community Sponsorship Agreement with Knocknagashel Windfarm Limited. This initiative greatly improved the daily footfall in the Gym with resulting health benefits to those using the facility and to the community in general.


  • Phase 2, provide an outdoor training area for Gym users, GAA members and local Primary schools. This was completed in 2021 and has been a tremendous asset to the community. We also upgraded the lighting of the walking track and all-weather training area by installing low emission luminaires.

Socio-economic and depravation impact

Rural isolation is a major issue of concern for older people living in Knocknagoshel and the surrounding countryside and in response to this we have expanded our services to support older people stay active in their community. A number of the older people attend our centre on a weekly basis where they have an opportunity to get moving, socialise, develop and maintain friendships and take part in other activities.

Knocknagoshel Gym in this regard constitutes an important amenity for lessening this inequality and combating ageism in Irish society. Not only is it a rural gym but it is a community gym open to older members of the population where many GAA and Rugby clubs do not provide this facility.

Perceived benefits

  • Improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the community

  • Develop and improve the mobility of older people in a sustainable way

  • Provide fitness training and activity for the community

  • Social outlet for people of all ages in the community and surrounding areas

  • Provide programmes for people to strengthen muscle recovery after illness or injury

  • Provide employment

  • Used for general exercise, circuit training, individual and group/class exercise.

  • Whose members currently visit the gym on an arranged schedule, and also avail of the outdoor space for exercise.

  • Licence agreements already in place with local ladies and gents GAA club allowing club members use of facility for team training and exercise.

  • Licence agreements in place with 2 local National Schools allowing pupils use of recently developed outdoor facility for exercise and team training.

  • This meeting room/aerobics area is used by community groups on a regular basis.

Facility Users:

Our facility is used by various groups