As all of you know, the new Astro-turf pitch at Clonmoney NS is a superb addition to the Bunratty Cratloe FC facilities. We are very thankful for Clonmoney’s acceptance of our working with them in the project and their granting a licence to use the facility. The first step we took in this partnership was to jointly apply for and secure a grant of over €100k towards the cost of the development. The final cost of the project from start to finish is of the order of €250,000 and both Clonmoney and ourselves are committed to ensuring that the facility will be completed to a high standard and maintained with respect to ensure that it will serve the community over a very long period of time. It is now largely complete with some further work required in relation to lighting and outdoor toilets. The school has already borne over half of the total project costs directly and it is now our time to work to recoup these costs and to fund the finishing of the work over the coming months.

Fundraising drive

To fund the above we are launching our 5-4-3-2-1 fundraiser. It is a joint fundraiser with Clonmoney NS to get the appeal as wide as possible given its scale and all proceeds are going to fund the cost of the Astroturf facility that we share access to. The fundraiser will continue until we reach our goal with the draw planned for later this year and we kindly request your support with this over the coming months. Entries are €25 each. Initially we are focussing on online sales of €50 for 2 or 5 for €100 and given the scale of the fundraising target we are hoping for your assistance in buying or selling the 5 ticket option where possible. Tickets are available at the following link: Bunratty Cratloe FC | Choose Product . Any contribution you can make either directly or through assisting with the sales effort is much appreciated. Efforts will be ongoing into the Autumn so please keep the fundraiser shared in your social media channels to ensure it is constantly up there.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who took time out on 20th May to support to official opening of the Astroturf. It was great to see so many present from our club in support of what is a wonderful facility. Officially opened by Clare GAA players John Conlon and Carol O’Leary, the day provided the opportunity for club members past and present to mingle with the school community together with other community activists that have been helpful in supporting our cause including TD’s, senators and local councillors. Pictures of what was a wonderful day are available on the Clonmoney NS website - click here for photos. All of these pictures were kindly shared with us by Joe Buckley whose ongoing support of all local events both sporting and otherwise is much appreciated.

This is a unique fundraiser for both the school and our club as it is the first time that Clonmoney NS have taken on a capital project of this scale from their own funds. In doing so, they placed significant faith in Bunratty Cratloe FC and your help either through monetary donation, sponsorship, or actively spreading the word among your network, will make a real difference in meeting our fundraising goal which is substantial.

Yours in sport

Conor Twomey

Chairperson

Bunratty Cratloe FC