“Great moments are born from great opportunities, that is why this area, which was once a piece of derlict land, used for anti-soical activities such as bonfires and illegal dumping and was a blight on our community is today a magnificent Sporting Hub”. So said Davitt’s chairman Tommy Shaw as he welcomed guests and club members to Saturday’s opening of the new Davitt Park in West Belfast. The veteran Gael, who has been chairman of the club for over thirty years, was addressing the large crowd who had gathered for the official opening of this splendid new facility. Tommy had begun by saying that he is not so often lost for words but ” the splendour of this centre, which in the past was nothing but a dream, is now a reality”
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”167″ display=”pro_blog_gallery”] [ngg src=”galleries” ids=”170″ display=”pro_blog_gallery”]“Founded back in 1912 Michael Davitt’s GAC have continued to offer people of the area sporting opportunities and social events, amazingly doing this without any playing ground in their owndership. We salute all those who in the past kept the aims and ideals of the association going and we will always remember them with fondness. Today however isn’t about the past, it is about the future. it is about how we go on a journey, and the part that YOU as a Davitt’s clubman or woman need to play. Indeed it is your duty to give support to every happening organised through our club committee and to become more involved, particularly here where we stand today.”
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”169″ display=”pro_blog_gallery”]The official opening ceremony was carried out by the Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Deirdre Hargey who helped the chairman to cut a ribbon at the gates of Davitt Park, before admitting the hundreds of of club members, who had paraded up along Clowning Street to the new grounds. Cllr Hargey in her speech had thanked Belfast City Council and the various bodies who had supported this great cause and paid tribute to Tommy Shaw and his hard working commitee for their untiring efforts. There were also speeches from CFNI Chief Executive Andrew McCracken, Fr anthony Devlin of St MacNissi’s Education Trust and Ulster GAA secretary Brian McAvoy before a celebration meal in the brilliant new clubrooms.
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