Growing Carlow-Kilkenny soccer club seeks permission to establish new academy

A football club, which will serve Carlow-Kilkenny, is seeking planning permission for a proposed new sports facility, as part of plans for a 30-year lease of the site.

The application has been lodged on behalf of CK United (Carlow Kilkenny United) for a site at Castlemore, Carlow Road, Tullow, Co Carlow, which seeks permission for a development that would include new pitches and associated facilities.

The announcement follows confirmation that the local team will play their football at Buckley Park, the former home of Kilkenny City AFC upon entering the League Of Ireland's new third tier later this year.

The proposed development would comprise an astro-turf pitch and a separate astro training pitch to the rear of temporary buildings.

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The plans also include temporary changing rooms, a gym, offices, a canteen, public toilets and a coffee shop.

Associated works would provide for signage, fencing, gates, ball-stop nets and dugouts, along with new lighting and floodlights measuring up to 16 metres in height.

The development would also include a new car parking layout, the partial removal of existing hedging, the disposal of waste from the site, and all associated site and ancillary works.

CK United was established in 2017 as a joint initiative between the Carlow & District Juveniles League and the Kilkenny District League and currently fields underage teams in the League of Ireland men’s and women’s national competitions, providing a development pathway for young players from Carlow and Kilkenny.

The proposed facility would operate primarily as an underage academy base, with training and matches taking place at set times and no senior teams based at the site.

The lands at Castlemore, Carlow Road, Tullow are owned by Carlow County Council, which has granted CK United permission to apply for planning permission for the proposed development on council-owned land.

The planning application was submitted by CK United Limited to Carlow County Council on Friday, January 16.

A submission or observation in relation to the application can be made in writing to the planning authority for a prescribed fee of €20.

This must be done within five weeks of the authority first receiving the planning application.

Any submissions or observations in relation to this proposed development must be submitted by Thursday February 19, with the final decision due on March 12, 2026.

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