Meath GAA Centre of Excellence

Architect – Cooney Architects
Builder – Sammon Builders
Glazing – TEROCO/VELFAC Windows and Doors
Article Below By : Mr. Sean Ó Laoire (Sean Ó Laoire was founding Director of Murray Ó Laoire Architects (1979 – 2010), and is a former President of the RIAI. He is currently a consultant to MOLA Architecture)

Meath GAA Centre – Highly Commended in the RIAI Awards 2016

The COISTE NA MÍ GAA Centre of Excellence at Dunganny in the Boyne Valley is a 1200sq.m community, sport, training and administration facility built and completed in 2015. Our endeavour was to “ make a place and create a space for community, sport and social engagement”. Immersion was our approach, to appreciate and reflect the heritage and history of this place and its people. This Pavilion Building inspired by traditional forms of the region. When viewed across the pastoral landscape, a patina of rendered coloured sculptural masonry forms with punched hole apertures appear.

On the edge of Europe, wide skies and ever changing cloudscapes orchestrate the play of light on our buildings and landscapes. Cooney Architects have celebrated this unique interplay in their use of light, skillfully adapted to service the needs of the diverse components of the complex.

The diversity of functions and the various users of spaces, will share a communal dining space and a sheltered courtyard, where it is easy to imagine six-year olds mingling with their heroes, Managers meeting journalists, and visiting teams and rivals conjoining in post match banter.
Michael Cusack would have had more than a passing acquaintance with Cricket Pavilions. We can but wonder how he would respond to this legacy of his vision for Gaelic sports – I suspect he would rejoice.

I submit with conviction that Dunganny’s “Centre of Excellence” will become a benchmark, for similar projects elsewhere, and indeed a qualitative reference for similar buildings in similar landscapes.

I further trust that its quality will embolden the family of the GAA, to place excellence of design at the heart of its vision and mission.

As landscaping matures, and built form and landform further fuse, there is a part of me, that hopes that future generations may view the building and its attendant pitches through a foreground of golden barley, as I did.

The GAA, Coiste na Mí, the Architects, the Design Team, the Contractor and all associated with its realisation, can be rightly proud of their achievements.

Beir Bua is Beannacht.

TEROCO’s Summary

TEROCO-VELFAC worked with Cooney Architects on this project to deliver a high specification glazing to meet the functional and esthetical requirements of the building. The Splayed glazing system which forms the centre piece of the building was detailed and surveyed by TEROCO on site to bring a sharp finish to the building. TEROCO used the VELFAC V200i thermally broken, Bi Modular system to deliver the architect the required result. The fine, sharp, crisp lines of the glazing system lifted the glazing from the render finish to give the desired effect. The timber aluwood interior brought a warm sharp finish to the interior. The project was a great success for everyone involved in the team.

To discuss our sliding doors or request a call back for a time that suits you. Email us info@teroco.ie. Call us at 01-4039999 or visit Our New Showroom at Unit 1B, Riverbank Business Park, Nangor Road, Dublin 12.