"It's Not An Easy Search": Kildare's Oldest Cricket Club Look For New Grounds To Cater For Growing Numbers

Monday, 24 August 2026 at 11:40

By Daniel Maher

They are currently located in Brannockstown.

Halverstown Cricket Club is in search of a new grounds, as their current lease is set to expire at the end of 2027.

They are currently located in Harristown Estate in Brannockstown, but are looking to expand as their club numbers increase.

Founded in 1885, it's the oldest club in the Republic of Ireland outside of Dublin.

Speaking on Kildare Today, Des Drumm, chairman of Halverstown Cricket Club says that they've outgrown the current facility:

"We've outgrown the facility, we now have five youth teams, two league teams, a social team and we now have a woman's team, our lease is up at the end of 2027, so we need to find a new home for ourselves."

Numbers generally would've hovered around 25, but in recent times numbers have reached in the region of 135, with approximately 100 of those being youth players.

"It's a huge explosion, partly with inward migration to Ireland but also in Ireland itself."

He also paid tribute to the generosity of the Beaumont family who currently allow them to use their facilities, remarking that they even mowed the grass for them at times.

Mr Drumm says that the club have been looking for a new site for two and a half years, acknowledging that they knew it was "time to move on" with one eye on an expiring lease, and the other on a growing club population.

Accepting the land pressure that exists in Kildare, Drumm says that the club needs a 5.5-acre site with road access and relatively flat land.

The full interview can be heard below: