An ambitious east Donegal club has been awarded a grant of €77,000 to install new electric (EV) car charging points at its grounds.
The funding, for Curragh Athletic FC in Killygordon, will form part of an overall €250,000 development which will take place in 2026.
The investment will see the EV chargers installed at the club’s sports and community facility, further enhancing services available to members and the wider area.
Initially, five sports clubs across Donegal were selected and assessed by an independent panel for inclusion in the scheme. Curragh Athletic FC has now emerged as one of the first organisations in Ireland to have funding formally allocated under the initiative.
Speaking following the announcement, club representative Frank Kelly said the addition of EV charging facilities would significantly enhance the club’s already extensive on-site amenities. He also confirmed that Curragh Athletic is close to finalising plans for further upgrades, including the replacement of existing floodlights and the retrofitting of glazing to windows and doors at the facility.
“These improvements will add significant value to our community sports facilities,” Mr Kelly said.
The floodlighting and glazing works are expected to cost in excess of €180,000, with grants totalling €155,133 already secured through the Sports Capital Programme and SSE. When combined with the EV charging project, the club anticipates a total investment of more than €250,000 during 2026.
The Curragh Athletic FC sports facility in Killygordon.
Founded in 1971, Curragh Athletic FC was one of the founding members of the Donegal Junior League. The club was originally based at Browne’s Field in Crossroads before acquiring its own land in 1994. Development of the new site took place over the following seven years, with the club relocating across the River Finn in 2003 to its current state-of-the-art facility in Killygordon. The site also accommodates the local community organisation Crossroads and Killygordon Enterprise (CAKE).
The club has already selected a charge point operator, with works expected to commence in early 2026. The chargers are due to be operational by the end of March. The funding forms part of the All-Ireland Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, administered by Pobal.
Curragh Athletic FC has acknowledged the support of Pat “The Cope” Gallagher TD, Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, as well as Pobal, Cllr Patrick McGowan and the other councillors from the Stranorlar electoral area.
Club officials say the investment marks an exciting chapter for Curragh Athletic FC and underlines its commitment to sustainability, sport and the local community.
East Donegal club in league of its own with planned €250k development was last modified: December 24th, 2025 by Staff Writer
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