Development at Ursuline College

Ursuline College’s AstroTurf Project 2015

The current hockey pitch was laid in 1969 and at the time, was one of the best pitches in Connacht hosting many school finals. Despite being resurfaced in 1984, the growth of Hockey and the technical advancement of surfaces throughout the world meant that AstroTurf became the name of the game. Over the last 20 years, many schools throughout the country have been putting down AstroTurf surfaces and as a result, the standard of hockey as well as the numbers participating has been growing hugely.

Thanks to receiving a Sports Capital grant, Ursuline College was able to build its own state of the art AstroTurf facility. This has enabled all school Hockey and Soccer matches to take place on school grounds as well as offering an excellent facility for other field sports as well.

The AstroTurf is a marvellous addition to existing school facilities. Not only do we see increased participation in hockey and soccer; we also see that the new facility has encouraged far more enthusiastic involvement in physical activity all round. The facility is also available to the wider community and benefits many groups and organisations.

Sr Mairead would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Tony McLoughlin T.D. for his ongoing support of this project. She would also like to express her gratitude and the gratitude of the Board of Management to the Ursuline Congregation, staff, parents, students, past- pupils and all those who have been active in bringing this project to fruition.

The building of the AstroTurf facility marks a significant development in the ongoing provision of excellent facilities for the students of Ursuline College – present students and prospective students into the future.