A GAA club in Offaly has transformed a former convent chapel into a gym.

Clara GAA, which is the home club of top golfer Shane Lowry, has fitted out St Brigid’s Convent with state-of-the-art gym equipment ahead of the new playing season. The club purchased the convent building and surrounding grounds during the Celtic Tiger era, and despite still servicing a large debt on the grounds, is pushing ahead with plans to redevelop it.

Last year, Clara GAA applied for planning permission to refurbish the existing building, but this was put on hold after Offaly County Council sought further information before making a decision. The plans would see the demolition of the existing ball wall and rear extensions, the construction of a two-storey extension to the rear of the existing building on a phased basis providing dressing rooms and associated facilities, toilets, storage, plant room, gym and the erection of a spectator stand, ball wall and all-weather training area.

In addition, the development will incorporate the provision of car parking, paths, paving, walking track lighting, floodlighting and alterations to pitches, ball stops, dugouts, landscaping, fencing and railings.

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