The Shed fully errected on the site of the 2023 National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska today
Park/Ratheniska GAA are giving you the opportunity to Win a Shed at this year's National Ploughing Championships which are taking place on their doorstep in Ratheniska. The Club are incredibly lucky to have this event so close to their GAA Grounds, and while they may not be able to play or train much over the course of the 3 days, Club Chairperson Kevin Fingleton says the entire community is looking forward to welcoming everyone to their small village once again.
"It's great to have the event back in Ratheniska again. We are delighted to welcome everyone back to our little part of Ireland and we pay huge credit to Anna May, Anna Marie, and all in the NPA for their wonderful organisation of the event once more. We in Park/Ratheniska GAA, and LGFA are delighted to do our part to accommodate our visitors, with our Club Grounds being used as a Bus Park for the three days as well as the Village Car Park being used for the Bus Eireann Shuttle Services over the course of the event."
Of course, the event also offers the Club a unique fundraising opportunity Fingleton says. "Yes, we are once again raffling off a shed on the site for one lucky winner and we thank the NPA sincerely for the golden opportunity to raise much needed funds for our entire community. The shed is produced locally and is of the highest quality. It is 40ft by 20ft, fully enclosed and tickets will be sold on site for €10 each, or 3 tickets for €20." This is the 4th time the Club have run the Shed Draw, with the previous winners spread from Kerry, to Laois to Roscommon. Where will it go this year?
Brendan Greene (right) congratulates 2022 Shed Winner Damien Conboy of Roscommon as he loads him up with his shed after last years event
The funds are going to be put to beneficial use as Fingleton explained. "We plan on using our experience in the GAA Green Club programme to overhaul the lights on our main adult pitch. The energy saving project will see our pitch fully floodlit to match standard, while at the same time bringing about savings and a massive reduction in CO2 emissions. This will tie in with our Club fully lit Wellness Walkway which we opened in 2021 which provides a safe place to socialise and exercise all year round to our entire community."
The venture is a joint one between the men's GAA Club, the Ladies Gaelic Football Club, and this year the local Ratheniska National School are involved. "Yes, we were delighted to have the local National School involved in the fundraiser this year. The school benefit greatly from our Grounds here in the Village with them using our facilities as their playground throughout the school year. Once again we have the Ladies Football Club involved and the fund raised will really is for the benefit of the entire community of Ratheniska."
Park/Ratheniska are the perfect example of an incredibly forward looking Community Club. As mentioned, they are members of the GAA's Green Club Pilot Programme, as well as a member of the GAA's Healthy Club project. Indeed, they used the opportunity last year of the visit of President Michael D Higgins to the village to have him formally announce their Club Grounds as being Smoke and Vape Free. Winning both on and off the field indeed!
So, what are you waiting for, make sure to visit Park/Ratheniska GAA Club at the W.R.Shaw Ltd stand (who the Club are incredibly grateful to for kindly allowing them to erect the shed on their plot), Block 2, Row 16, Stand 280.
Who knows, you might meet a celeb or two!
