Meet Noel Dempsey: Chairman of Páirc Tailteann C.L.G.

Three letters that, in Páirc Tailteann, could very easily be mistaken for something else entirely.

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, perhaps?

Not quite.

In this case, C.L.G. stands for Company Limited by Guarantee. It is a not for profit company structure, where there are no shareholders and no shares. Instead, there are members who come together around a shared purpose, with everything geared towards achieving that purpose.

And in the case of Páirc Tailteann, that purpose is pretty important.

Páirc Tailteann C.L.G. is the company behind the redevelopment of the stadium, bringing together eight members who are helping to oversee and drive the project forward.

So, who are the people behind those three letters?

Over the coming weeks, we’re going to introduce them one by one. Their backgrounds, their roles, their connection to Páirc Tailteann and, most importantly, what made them want to be part of the journey.

First up, our Chairman, Noel Dempsey.

Meet Noel Dempsey – Chairman of Páirc Tailteann C.L.G.

If you’ve been following the Páirc Tailteann story for any length of time, you’ll know it has been a story with a few chapters along the way.

In fact, you could say Noel Dempsey has been in the thick of it for quite a while.

The story started when Noel and Liam Mulvihill were asked by former Cathaoirleach of Coiste na Mí, Conor Tormay, to look at the infrastructure requirements of the county. Their report identified two priorities: the development of permanent facilities in Dunganny and the modernisation of Páirc Tailteann.

The clubs gave the report unanimous backing, and Noel and Liam were asked to manage the Dunganny project. They got it completed on time and within budget.

One project down. Páirc Tailteann next.

Noel and Liam undertook the feasibility study and the early preparation of the planning and design work, with Seamus Kenny joining them. At the same time, they set about identifying funding and secured approval for more than €25 million from the IIP, the Department of Sport and the GAA at Central Council and Leinster Council level.

When the Infrastructure Committee became Páirc Tailteann Company Limited by Guarantee, Noel was appointed Chairman and continued the work on the redevelopment.

And while there has been plenty of paperwork involved, Noel’s connection with the GAA is certainly not confined to the committee room.

He started out playing football and hurling with Boardsmill, later playing football with Ballivor and hurling with Killyon. He won honours at various levels in both codes.

In the early 1970s, he became the first Youth Officer of Coiste na Mí when the position was created. After retiring from politics, he returned to active involvement in the GAA in Trim, joining the Executive and coaching underage teams. He also served as club Chairman for three years.

At County Board level, Noel has served as Coaching and Games Officer and as a member of the Finance Committee. He was also a member of the committee which reported on “Participation and Retention” in Meath GAA and spent three years on the Demography and Urbanisation Committee in Croke Park.

So, from playing football and hurling to coaching, administration, infrastructure, funding and now chairing the company overseeing the redevelopment, Noel has covered a fair bit of ground.

The Páirc Tailteann project has been a focus for him for over a decade.

And after all those years, there is now something very tangible to show for it.

Noel is just the first of the people behind Páirc Tailteann C.L.G. We’ll be getting to know the rest of the team over the coming weeks, and finding out a little more about the people helping to bring Páirc Tailteann to life.