An Taoiseach opens new facilities at Old Wesley

Pictured:In action against UCC, Old Wesley centre Isaac Leota on the ball with Paul Harte inside him and Tim Clifford to the rear.

Pictured:In action against UCC, Old Wesley centre Isaac Leota on the ball with Paul Harte inside him and Tim Clifford to the rear.

Here in Old Wesley, Donnybrook, we are delighted to be celebrating our 125th anniversary this year, having been founded in 1891. We have just opened our newly-refurbished clubhouse on September 24th, with An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, performing the honours.

Speaking at the opening, An Taoiseach congratulated the members and supporters of the club: “Old Wesley is one of Ireland’s most famous clubs with a proud history and ambitious plans for their future and for the future of the game of rugby in Ireland.

Pictured: An Taoiseach with both youngest and wisest members of the club!

Pictured: An Taoiseach with both youngest and wisest members of the club!

President of Old Wesley, David Pierce remarked: “It is a huge honour for the club to have An Taoiseach open our new clubhouse in what is the 125th anniversary of the club’s foundation. The new development was the product of many years of hard work by members on a voluntary basis and we are delighted to have received the support of so many individuals in making this dream a reality.”

The club run teams from ‘minis’ (boys and girls – aged 6 and above) all the way up to Under-20s and our five senior teams. Our First Team currently plays in Division 1B of the Ulster Bank All Ireland League, which is the second highest division in the country.

Old Wesley have made an excellent start to the new season with two wins from two, including a 21-10 victory over Dolphin RFC, Cork, last Saturday, which coincided with the official opening and our ‘125’ celebrations.

New members are always welcome in all categories. Participants from the minis, youths, adults and pavilion members can enjoy the comforts of our excellent new clubhouse, whilst watching a match on the newly laid state of the art 4G pitches from our new balcony.

Old Wesley is long-renowned as a very hospitable and friendly club and has a motto of a ‘club for life’, as befits a club with members aged from 4 to 93, the youngest and oldest of whom were photographed together last Saturday at the official opening.

We have high hopes for the coming season, with an influx of many new players and pavilion members, all anxious to enjoy the wonderful facilities both on and off the field, and we look forward to further success, having won four trophies across all grades last year.

Our enhanced facilities are now available for all forms of reservations from tag rugby, birthday parties, anniversaries, christenings to corporate bookings for conferences, training workshops, board meetings and ‘away days’, with top quality catering provided to satisfy all requirements.

Pictured: An Taoiseach with Jack Younge. Photos by Deryck Vincent.

Pictured: An Taoiseach with Jack Younge.
Photos by Deryck Vincent.

The club can be contacted on 01-6689153 in the first instance for enquiries about membership, activities and functions and we are really keen to develop stronger links with the local community, as we move on to our ‘next 25 years’ with our excellent new facilities.

In addition, all further information is contained on our website: oldwesley.ie, and we can also be followed on Twitter and Facebook.

By Ken Browne
PRO, Old Wesley RFC