Permission granted for North Cork Padel court developments

Go ahead for new courts in Mallow and Fermoy

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in Ireland.

Planning permission has been granted for two Padel court developments in North Cork.

Cork County Council has given the go-ahead for a five-court indoor centre at Mallow's GAA complex and two modular courts in a supermarket car park in Fermoy.

In Mallow, Go Padel Ltd has been granted permission for an indoor padel building on St Joseph’s Road, Carrigoon. The development also includes a separate two-toilet block, a reception and store building, and a car park with vehicle and pedestrian access.

The council sought further information on opening hours and amplified sound, given the site’s proximity to homes. The applicant said the centre will open from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week, with no PA system, loudspeakers or amplified music. It said the courts will be fully enclosed with internally directed lighting. The council also asked how the scheme would fit with works already permitted at the complex, including a hurling wall, a car park extension and bioretention basins, and Mallow GAA responded separately on that point.

The conditions set noise limits at nearby homes and require a construction and operational noise management plan. A development contribution of €23,057 is also due to the council.

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in Ireland. The Padel Federation of Ireland counts more than 50 courts in operation. Cork-based operator Padel Sports 100 launched a €5m fundraising under the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme in September 2025, with the aim of installing 300 padel courts nationwide by December 2027.

In Fermoy, Padel Sports 100 has been granted a temporary five-year permission for two modular courts at the Lidl store on Courthouse Road. The courts, each about 20m by 10m, will have an artificial grass surface, 4m fencing around parts of the perimeter and 6m integrated LED lighting. They sit on a base placed over existing hardstanding, with no foundations.

The applicant told the council that co-locating with Lidl allows it to offer 2,000 free court hours a year across the two courts, from 11am to 3pm on weekdays. The free hours are aimed at schools, charities, youth groups, disability organisations and older people. It cited similar permissions at Lidl sites in Listowel, Co Kerry, and Ennistymon, Co Clare.