Plans lodged in Galway for new Aran Island handball facility
Unused farmland on Inis Meáin, one of the three Aran Islands in County Galway, might soon host new handball facilities.
Inis Meáin Develpoment Company has put forward a planning application for the installation of an open handball alley near the Temple Quarter on the island.
The proposed court will be connected to the Coláiste Naomh Eoin Secondary School site which remains unused farmland.
In addition, the court will be pedestrian access only.
Rónán Quinn, the Active Island’s Coordinator for the Galway Sports Partnership said the installation would be a welcome development as handball is “ideally suited to small communities” and an “important part of Irish sporting heritage.”
Cathaoirleach for the Coiste Spóirt, a voluntary sports committee on Inis Meáin, Adrian Ó Coinch said there is a “lack of infrastructure” on the island, especially when it comes to extracurriculars and sport.
“As an offshore island community, we have very limited access to sporting facilities. Travelling to the mainland to use sports infrastructure is often difficult, time consuming, and costly for island residents.”
A decision is expected from Galway County Council by May 13 with submissions open until mid-April.