1988 - Pitch opening with John Dowling - GAA President

The club members are very grateful to the farmers who gave their fields down through the years, particularly the Lucey family, Ballymacmoy who provided the club with a playing pitch for over 30 years. Prior to that venue, games were played in the Inch Field of the property, that is now part of the Nano Nagle Centre in Ballygriffin.

The club, to commemorate the centenary of the founding of the GAA in 1984, were very appreciative to the Browne Family from Killavullen from whom they purchased land near the village and since then have developed the available area into a magnificent playing field. It took time, with a lot of earth moving and landscaping to facilitate the playing surfaces necessary for a playing pitch. A small segment of land had to be purchased from another local landowner, Mr. Michael Linehan, to facilitate the size and the shape of the main field.

Two Dressing Rooms and a meeting room / Gym facilities area were added in time, and these are in heavy demand now. The gym was considerably enhanced in 2021. John Beechinor and Matty Dorgan, now both sadly gone to their eternal heavenly reward were pivotal to the success of the initial building of the dressing rooms, designed by architect John O Connell. The playing pitch must surely be one of the most picturesque in all of Cork with it being on the banks of the Blackwater River, though it is subject to the vagaries of flooding. However careful sitting of the dressing rooms means that these do not flood.

Recently, a second playing pitch has been leased from the adjoining property owner, Mr. Denis Linehan for which the club is very indebted to have this facility available to it.

Killavullen GAA Club lends its premises to various sporting, educational and cultural groups in the parish of Killavullen, and beyond. These include the two schools in the parish, Killavullen and Ballygown National Schools, as well as Mallow Search and Rescue group occasionally. The playing areas are a hive of activity with utilisation from Killavullen Junior teams, juvenile teams, Ladies Football and Camogie Clubs. All catered for, on designated nights by careful rostering.

The premises of Killavullen GAA would have a buoyant young population utilising their facilities as well, and we would be anxious that we can be as inclusive of all members of the community as possible.

Astro Turf Area

The proximity of the existing facilities to the village of Killavullen is an additional bonus that is not lost on us, and to this end, we actively encourage both Killavullen and Ballygown National Schools to avail of the facilities and to promote our games there on. This is a huge benefit to present and future children. We want to maximise the use of the facilities and any investment in the club will benefit the pupils.

The growth in numbers has led us to examine the facilities that the club has at our disposal, and what is required going into the immediate future. It was felt within the club that the existing hurling wall which was constructed under the dynamic chairmanship of John Magner, in 2011 was under-utilised, so we have since laid an Astro turf area of 23 Metres x 22 Metres in front of the existing hurling wall, complete with fencing, lighting and access footpath from the existing dressing room to the astro turf area. This area now, will also permit training on the surface when inclement weather negates against using our fields.

Replacement Of Fence Around The Field

In the autumn of 2016, Killavullen GAA club replaced the existing steel pipe key-clamp fence around the main pitch which had become worn and jaded over the period that it had been in position. The new fencing is of the rebound type; with 8-6-8 mm plastic coated wire mesh, 1.2 metres in height, Posts are set in the ground & concreted in place.

The existing gates of the field, made superbly by local craftsmen, Noel Fitzgibbon and Billy Fitzgerald in 2007 were able to be utilised again.

This project was completed between October and December 2016, by local Contractor, Don Larkin, and was part funded with the aid of a grant from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport.

Walkway Down The Blackwater Side Of The Main Pitch

The development committee next turned their attention to the amount of people that utilise the area around the field for recreational purposes. It is felt that a concrete path down the side of the field would:

Aid viewing of matches, in conjunction with the rebound fencing above.

Provide a good amenity for walkers / joggers to exercise in a safe area

This project was also completed in the autumn of 2016 once the playing season for the year was completed and access for machinery could be tolerated in the pitch environs.

Making The Astro Turf Area Completely Wheelchair Accessible

Killavullen GAA Club was aware that their astro turf area was not completely wheelchair accessible and very much regretted this fact. To enable the Astro Turf area, and the second playing field to be wheelchair accessible, Killavullen GAA removed the embankment between the existing club house and the adjoining property and lay a concrete footpath in that area.

The electricity supply for the clubhouse had to be rerouted to take account of that change, as did the electricity supply from the clubhouse to the electric scoreboard and astro turf area.

The mill wheel was located on a plinth, towards the entrance to the astro turf area, so as to become a focal point, given its historic importance to the village of Killavullen, and the fact that our present GAA Grounds are called the Mill field.

This project was completed in October 2017, and was part funded with the aid of an amenity grant from Cork County Council.

Sand Based Training Area

During the upgrades works in 2016 and 2017, an opportunity arose to increase the size of the sand-based training area that was already in place and to flood light this area to facility winter training under lights in the club environs.

Local and heavily used contractor, Don Larkin built up and increased the size of the sand area onto which 210 tonnes of Wexford sand was spread which now allows training to occur when once the playing fields would have been damaged trying to accommodate.

Six poles with 3 flood lights on each were installed by local electrical contractor, Brian Mellerick to allow training to be conducted in the depths of winter and early spring.

This has become another invaluable asset to the club.

Upgrade to the Sewage Works 2022

With the considerable cooperation of Cork County Council, Killavullen GAA relocated their previous sewage facilitates to a modern pumped system, that conveys the material under both pitches to the Killavullen sewage treatment works.

Killavullen GAA reciprocated the cooperation to Cork County Council to facilitate car parking in the pitch area for persons walking in the Nagle’s mountains and allow the Nagle Loop Walk to start at the GAA premises, or to facilitate persons  keen to stroll along the majestic bank of the River Blackwater, taking in the aspects and views of the mountains, and Ballymacmoy House, ancestral home of the Hennessy Cognac family.

Capital Projects 2023 / 25 

Killavullen GAA repurposed a grant provision, sought initially for additional changing rooms, but denied planning permission, to provide a new John Deere Lawnmower and to enhance the floodlighting on the pitches to elongate the playing season, with the provision of a generator and additional lights and poles.

Separately, in 2023, and again in 2025, the club has embarked on a sanding program for both pitches to improve their drain-ability and playing surface.

In 2025, Killavullen GAA provided a laydown area, underneath the scoreboard to facilitate an accessible area for a shipping container, sourced from local entrepreneur John Lundy of Carrigacuna Castle, and Rebel Coffee. This was converted into a tuck shop that now sells coffee, tea, minerals and treats on the day of matches, manned by a bevy of local persons, under the guidance of Sarah O Farrell and Joann Crean.

Looking Forward

Going forward, there are plans to extend the recreational / sit down area adjacent to the tuck shop with provisional for additional seating and a shade area, and to enhance the area around the present Mill Wheel, to make it more of a focal point in the facility.

All development works require considerable capital investment but the community in Killavullen is steadfast in their support of the club for which we are very grateful, in any fundraising venture. That support allied to grants from agencies such as Cork County Council amenity funds or Community Sport Facilities Funds enable considerable enhancements to the facilities at the disposal of the persons associated with Killavullen GAA Club.