Over €15 million secured for Cavan Regional Sports Campus

Cavan County Council, along with its project partners, has secured a further €15,036,061 in funding for the Cavan Regional Sports Campus, through PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). This particular funding will deliver a covered indoor arena and sports facility, with a footprint of over 10,500m², suitable for a range of sports and physical activity, community events and programmes.  

This PEACEPLUS project is part of the wider Cavan Regional Sports Campus, which is being developed by Cavan County Council in partnership with The Royal School Cavan and Cavan GAA, on lands southwest of Cavan Town, between the Royal School and Kingspan Breffni.   

The overall objective of the project is to use sport and physical activity as a vehicle to connect communities both within County Cavan and across the border, addressing the imbalance of investment and providing a hugely significant and iconic symbol of reconciliation leveraged from the partnership between two of Cavan's oldest institutions. 

The announcement was made today by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) which is administering the funding. This latest announcement follows the November 2024 grant of €19 million in funding for the ambitious, state-of-the-art sports campus. That figure, secured through the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund, was the second largest sum awarded under the scheme nationally. 

The overall regional sports campus, which will be delivered in phases and subject to funding, will be a modern, best-in-class facility and will include an indoor sports facility and arena, changing facilities, reception, café and ancillary accommodation, outdoor sports pitches, and athletics facilities.  

Welcoming today’s announcement, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor John Paul Feeley said, “This is a hugely significant project for County Cavan, which will enhance the sporting and athletic prospects of our young athletes, contribute to greater health outcomes for young and old, and drive economic activity in our county town and the entire county, helping to combat inequality and foster positive relations in this border county”.  

“I want to acknowledge the support of Minister Dara Calleary, his officials, and those of SEUPB for their backing of this extremely worthwhile project. This welcome funding forms a crucial part of the jigsaw that is the overall Regional Sports Campus. It’s also important to highlight the behind-the-scenes work of our project team. To have secured two such significant awards of funding for a project of this scale is testament to their skill, determination, and meticulousness, and my fellow councillors and I have done everything in our power to support them in their efforts from the outset”. 

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD said, “I am delighted that a further €15 million is approved for this Investment Area and am particularly pleased with the role the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has played in securing this funding. This will provide significant transformation through the repurposing of land and reimaging of current structures and spaces. I would like to commend the lead partner, Cavan County Council, and their project partners Cavan GAA and the Royal School Cavan for the time and effort that went into drafting the application. I want to also commend the SEUPB and all of our partners involved in bringing this landmark project to this important milestone.”

Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD added “These remarkable shared spaces will have the capability to host cross-community and cross-border sports, education, health, and community events. This project will also foster economic growth and tourism opportunities in the area. I am confident of further unification of all communities within a secure and neutral environment.”

Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said “I would like to congratulate Cavan County Council and Project Partners in securing €15m in PEACEPLUS funding for this ambitious and positive development. This investment will provide a new multi-use facility with the capability to host cross-community and cross-border sports, education, health, and community events. Being active is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. It can help you feel healthier, happier and more connected to others.

“Once completed, the Cavan Regional Sports Campus will provide high quality modern facilities that will encourage people to get involved in activities with friends or as part of a team or community. The Sports Campus offers the opportunity for everyone to find something they will enjoy doing and through increased sports and physical participation help deliver an active, healthy, resilient and inclusive society.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “We are absolutely delighted that this project has secured funding under the Re-imaging Communities capital projects theme, which sits at the heart of the PEACEPLUS Programme. This facility will provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment where people can come together, collaborate and build lasting relationships. The Cavan Regional Sports Campus is a powerful example of how sport and community infrastructure can be used to bridge divides and create lasting connections. This is a truly transformative project which will serve as a beacon of inclusion and collaboration for generations to come.” 

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle added, “This hugely significant tranche of funding, secured under the PEACEPLUS programme, stands alongside the recent €19m investment through the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund as a key pillar of funding for this hugely significant project. I thank Minister Calleary and his officials, Gina McIntyre, CEO of SEUPB and all her team, and our partners Cavan GAA and The Royal School for their support.” 

“I would like to pay particular tribute to our councillors for their foresight in making match funds available for this strategically important facility amid strong competition for resources,” added Mr Doyle. 

Director of Services, Cavan County Council, Brendan Jennings, added “I want to highly commend the monumental effort of the staff of Cavan County Council for their vision and commitment to this project from inception to this momentous announcement today ‒ in particular John Donohoe, Martin Quigley, and Nadine McCormilla, who have driven this project from the outset. I also want to acknowledge the key role played by Nicholas O’Kane and his team in the Planning Department for their ongoing support of the project. Our PEACEPLUS manager Jane Crudden, along with S3 Solutions and McAdam Design also played key roles in getting the project to this stage.”  

The project was granted approval by An Bord Pleanála in November 2024. A two-stage tendering process will commence imminently, subject to departmental gateway approval. It’s expected that construction will commence in 2026 with a two-year construction programme envisaged.