It was a proud day in Russell Park as Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited St Brigid’s GAA Club, Blanchardstown–Castleknock, to officially open our new state-of-the-art All-Weather Pitch.
The Taoiseach was welcomed through the front gates by Club Chair Denis Courtney and secretary Audrey, members of the Executive, and many of our club stalwarts, before meeting a cross-section of players, mentors, and volunteers from across our juvenile and adult teams in football, hurling, camogie, handball and Ladies Gaelic football.
Proceedings began in the clubhouse, where Denis spoke passionately about the club’s journey from its 1932 founding to today’s €2.6 million facilities development, supported through grants from the Sports Capital Programme, as well as through the unwavering generosity of many members and sponsors.
“This development is a legacy project,” Denis said. “It’s about ensuring that every player — from nursery to adult — has the facilities, opportunities and support to reach their potential. You don't just invest in bricks and turf — you invested in people and community.”
Minister Jack Chambers TD, former Minister for Sport and now Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, who grew up playing with St Brigid’s, spoke warmly of his own connection to the club and the community.
“This is a club that has always been about belonging, inclusivity and participation,” he said. “It’s where friendships are formed for life and where young people learn teamwork, discipline, and the importance of giving back. St Brigid’s is a club with deep roots and a bright future.”
Minister Chambers also took the opportunity to acknowledge the many elected representatives present, including Cllr Leddy, Cllr Currie,Cllr Mangan, Cllr Leddy, Cllr Shovlin, Cllr Carbone-Mangan, Cllr Walsh, Cllr Kitt and Cllr Onwumereh, noting the importance of their continued support for community and sporting development across the area.
In his address, Taoiseach Micheál Martin reflected on the wider importance of sport in Irish life and the values it fosters:
“Sport is essential to community — it’s where people from all walks of life come together,” he said. “The values learned here — teamwork, discipline, friendship, and belonging — stay with you forever. Clubs like St Brigid’s are the heartbeat of their communities.”
He also paid tribute to the volunteers, coaches, and administrators whose relentless work sustains the club, noting that “not everyone wears the jersey on the pitch who helps — many make their mark through organisation, mentoring, and support behind the scenes.”
After the speeches, the Taoiseach cut the ribbon on the new all-weather pitch, greeted players and coaches, and took time to visit the GA GA St Brigid’s Men’s Shed, which forms an important part of the club’s wider community outreach. There, members greeted him with a warm Dublin welcome and treated him to heartfelt renditions of “Grace” and “Molly Malone.”
The Taoiseach also stopped by our handball courts, where he couldn’t resist taking a few shots himself — much to the delight of the gathered crowd.
The visit captured the true spirit of St. Brigid’s — community, camaraderie, and connection across generations.
The event was a true celebration of everything that makes St. Brigid’s GAA so special — community, inclusion, tradition and ambition.
The shared message from all three speakers was clear — St Brigid’s is built on community, inclusion, and the power of sport to unite generations. Each paid tribute to the volunteers and visionaries who have shaped the club, and all recognised that the investment in facilities is ultimately an investment in our community and people — ensuring that St Brigid’s continues to be a place of belonging, pride, and possibility for decades to come.
As Denis Courtney concluded,
'the club continues to honour those who built its foundations, celebrate those who sustain it today, and inspire the next generation to carry the red and white - forward with pride'.
