A FIELD in the Donegal Gaeltacht is to be raffled to provide funds to build hurling and camogie facilities in Derry.
Na Magha CLG have acquired the two-acre field outside the village of Doochary and the club is selling tickets to win the ‘pound field’.
“Our plan is to sell tickets between now and St Patrick’s day 2022, the day in which we hope to announce the new owner of the pound field,” club chairman Seamus Breathnach said.
Hurling and Camogie have suffered a decline in the City of Derry, particularly during the past 60 years.
In 1889 there were 9 hurling clubs in the city. Today the reality is there is only one club – Na Magha.
“As a club, we are working hard to reverse this trend and get more young people playing the great national games of Hurling and Camogie in our City,” he said..
Na Magha CLG have acquired three acres of land presently covered in whins and scrub in Ballyarnett county park on which they hope to build a new Hurling/Camogie pitch. They have also acquired a two-acre field in West Donegal.
“We want people to buy a ticket to win this historic piece of heaven in the Donegal Gaeltacht adjacent to Glenveagh National Park in Derrynanaspol (Doire Na nAspal), which means the apostle’s oak grove.
“It is fitting that a field in that townland is being raffled to provide funds to build a field for Hurling and Camogie in St Colmcille’s Oakgrove, Doire Colmcille. The saint himself was born just 40 minutes away in Gartan,” he said.
According to the brochure, the field is approximately 2 acres of green, top quality land surrounded by the abhainn bhuí River on two sides, a tributary of the Gweebarra, a world-famous fishing river that flows out to the Atlantic
“With its stunning views looking down the valley, its flat topography, and extensive road frontage it would be a beautiful site for a home (subject to planning permission), a pod, tent, or a caravan.
“It is only over a mile from the amenities of the picturesque village of Doochary, which has the famous hostelry Teach Gleann Ceo, Tobar Sorcha, a famous healing well, and an ice-house built in the eighteenth century to preserve locally-caught salmon,” the brochure reads.
Mr Breathnach said that there were three reasons why people should support the draw.
“You could win yourself your very own piece of heaven in Ireland while helping us to improve our facilities and reinvigorate interest in the great national games of hurling and camogie in the City of Derry and wider North West of Ireland,” he said.
Tickets can be bought via any Na Magha Club member or online via KlubFunder.com.
60 tickets can be purchased for only £50!
40 tickets for £40 and
20 tickets for £20