Scariff G.A.A Park's and Community Centre.

It has been over sixty years since the idea of Scariff's own G.A.A Park was first mooted. It was always accepted that to be a successful Club, to have one's own pitch comes high on the priority list. Despite great work by many people, the obstacles always seemed too formidable and even by the early sixties the reality of a playing pitch seemed further away than ever.

The sixties however had brought great change to Scariff. the advent of the Chipboard factory saw a large influx of people to the town and surrounding countryside. This population explosion made the need for proper playing facilities even more urgent.

Were it not for the initiative displayed by a few local men who were willing to use their own money to purchase a field, a start might never have a been made. A seven acre site adjacent to the town was purchased, a committee formed and plans formulated to develop a pitch.

This involved raising the level of part of the pitch some thirty feet and a large amount of earth had to be moved from the hill at one side. Drainage was a major problem and this swallowed up a large amount of funds. Various methods of fund raising were employed, including card drives, silver circle, marquees etc., and while these helped in no small way the problems encountered ensured that progress was slow and the Committee spent frustrating years while the fruits of their labour were not evident.

In 1978 a fresh attempt was made to have the park completed. Finance again was a problem. Pub Quiz, Concerts, challenge matches, sponsored walks and a mayoral election was held at regular intervals and were well supported by the East Clare public. Funds thus acquired were supplemented by the Central Council , Munster Council, Bord na Pairc grants, and assistance through the Youth Employment Scheme, as well as Clare Co. Council grant.

Following these timely boosts the Committee had found itself in the happy position of being able to complete the field and commence the building of a Community and Sports Center. The complex comprised of four dressing rooms, toilets, showers and a function hall.

This Committee had completed its task and the official opening was performed by Brendan Vaughan Vice Chairman of the Munster Council on Sunday the 27th June 1982. Clare played Galway immediately after the official opening.

The Park Committee who carried out this enormous task were:

Chairman: The late Paddy McNamara, Secretary Marie McInerney, Treasurers Michael McNamara and Martin Scanlon, Committee - John Kelly, Joe Kavanagh, Tim Treacy, Tom Harte, Michael Guerin, Pat Clancy, Joe Fenwick, Mary Hanlon, Jimmy Clune, Pat Minogue, Eddie Fahy, Pat Thornthon and the late Fr Nelson C.C, Brendan Hickey and Tommy Giblon.