GAA club scores in JP land swap deal
In return for its present small grounds near the mansion Mr McManus is building in Co Limerick, Staker Wallace GAA Club will receive a new state-of-the-art-sports facility costing over €1 million, which will be paid for by Mr McManus.
The generous sporting millionaire wanted to secure the club’s four-acre property at Bulgaden as it overlooks his new mansion. In return, he has agreed to build a sports facility for the club at a nearby 20-acre site.
Limerick architect Michael Healy, who designed Mr McManus’s new €100m mansion at Martinstown, yesterday submitted a planning application on behalf of the local GAA club for a new sports complex.
According to the application lodged with Limerick County Council, the new ground will be fitted out with a stand where the public can view matches.
It will also embrace a community centre, incorporating a sports hall, changing rooms and a meeting room, and will have floodlighting and car parking.
Mr McManus negotiated a swap of properties with the club as sightseers were calling in droves to view his new mansion from the Staker Wallace grounds.
Work on two new playing pitches has already commenced as no planning permission is required for such sports developments.
The main contractors for the mansion, Sisk, are expected to complete the huge construction assignment shortly and Mr McManus and his wife Noreen hope to move in by Christmas.
The residence will cover 50,000sq ft and will have its own 200-seat cinema. The home will be the size of 35 three-bedroom semis and will be just 5,000sq ft shy of the White House in Washington.
Millions of euro have been spent on marble brought in from Italy and a special glass dome has been placed on the roof.
Other features will include an indoor figure of eight swimming pool, gym and underground car parks. It will have its own special West Wing for guests
It had been hoped to have the mansion ready by September so Mr McManus could host a huge house warming when close friends such as Tiger Woods were in the country for the Ryder Cup.
The new Staker Wallace ground will be in the townland of Kilbreedy West, Kilmallock, just over 200 yards from the present facility.
Mr McManus lives in a large residence at Martinstown a short distance from where his new mansion is being built.
He entertained President Mary McAleese to lunch on her recent visit to Co Limerick. Mr McManus is a close golfing friend of the President’s husband, Martin McAleese.
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