New facilities officially open at popular Clare park amid €200,000 investment

Clare County Council has completed a €200,000 investment into John O’Sullivan Park, located on Lees Road in Ennis, with plans in place for further investment in 2026.

On Monday, December 22, the newly expanded and renovated toilets were offically opened to the public. The upgraded facilities include fully renovated accessible toilets with baby changing areas, increased cubicle spaces for all users, new sanitary ware, flooring, windows, doors and additional lighting. 

This €120,000 investment follows an €80,000 investment in the LED retrofit of flood lighting on the track and Astroturf in the popular sports and amenity park.

Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Cllr Paul Murphy said, “Investing in recreational facilities is vital for promoting health, wellbeing and community engagement. Clare County Council is committed to ensuring that Lees Road continues to serve as a welcoming and inclusive space for all members of our community to engage in sport and recreational activity.”

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Clare County Council Senior Executive Officer of Sport & Recreation, Eoin Troy, said, “These improvements at John O'Sullivan Park, Lees Road will ensure that in excess of 650,000 annual visitors have access to modern, high-quality amenities. The upgraded lighting and new facilities enhance safety, accessibility, and comfort, making the park an even more attractive destination for sports and leisure activities.”

Further plans are scheduled for Lees Road in 2026, as extensive upgrades to the track and athletics facilities have already gone to tender. The works will include applying a PU Rekortan coating with an EPDM granule sandwich system, which offers a 15-year lifespan and meets IAAF certification standards.

Additional improvements will involve line marking, installation of surface water and inner rail drainage systems, and infield drainage for the grass area. The development will also feature a second track-based 'D' area on the west side, along with enhanced facilities for long jump, pole vault, high jump and a hammer cage.

Also planned for delivery in 2026 is a community recognition funded storage facility to allow clubs to store kit and equipment on site, with additional enhancements in the planning stages.