Castlebar RFC to open new stand as anniversary celebrations begin
SATURDAY next marks the beginning of the celebrations to mark the 140th anniversary of Castlebar Rugby Club.
The club will mark the occasion with the official opening of their new spectator stand, while later in the day it will host the meeting of the Connacht juniors who will play their Ulster counterparts in the IRFU Interprovincial Series at Cloondeash (2 p.m.).
It has been a busy couple of weeks for the Castlebar club, who have left no stone unturned in their efforts to ensure the venue is in top order.
But Saturday is just the beginning of planned celebrations to mark the club's anniversary.
Other highlights include an anniversary golf event Castlebar Golf Club in June while later in the year, a prominent Irish rugby international and special guests will attend a club function in Castlebar.
In addition, an exhibition spanning many decades of Castlebar Rugby Club’s history will be on display in the Linenhall Arts Centre during September and October. Anyone who has old photographs of club members or activities is asked to contact club secretary Noel Campbell at rfccastlebar@gmail.com.
The anniversary events will draw to a close in November with an illustrated talk on the history of rugby in Castlebar in Mayo County Library.
Declan Madden, president of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), will be the distinguished guest at the event on Saturday, where he will be joined by Connacht IRFU president Jimmy Staunton, Gerry Casey, who is a member of the IRFU committee, and Johnny McCormack, who sits on Connacht Rugby’s competitions committee.
The club has been busy putting the final details in place for what promises to be a very enjoyable day. Events begin at 1 p.m. with the official opening by Mr. Madden of the club’s new spectators stand.
Rugby fans will then be treated to a quality contest when the Connacht juniors take on their Ulster counterparts in the second round of the IRFU’s Junior Men’s Interprovincial Series at 2 p.m.
The hosting of the event at Cloondeash is seen as a deserved vote of confidence in the top-class facilities available at the Castlebar club and follows up on the successful hosting of the historic first ever rugby game to be played in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, where Munster and Connacht clashed in sell-out game last month.
The event provided a major financial boost to Castlebar and was applauded for the professional manner in which it was organised, and tributes were paid to the MacHale Park committee for the high standard of the pitch and the venue in general.
Mr. Madden will be the main speaker at an evening meal at 8 p.m. on Saturday in Cloondeash, which will be followed by the club’s annual awards night and live music. All are welcome to attend.
Castlebar Rugby Club president Kevin McGing believes the full day of events will showcase the club and its proud history.
He said: “It will be an honour to welcome Declan Madden to Castlebar.
"Our town has a thriving sporting scene and we in Castlebar Rugby Club are delighted to be able to advertise that fact and to celebrate our club’s achievements this Saturday with the opening of our new stand followed by the junior inter-pro game and the social event and presentation of awards to club players after a very busy season at all levels in the club.”
Tickets for the evening event are available from club members and by emailing rfccastlebar@gmail.com, or by contacting club secretary Noel Campbell on (087) 9857892.