DOBA has been honored with the 2025 ACEI Award for Excellence in Project Management in recognition of its role in the design, construction, and project management of the new 3,000-seater sideline grandstand at St. Conleth’s Park in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The achievement marks a significant milestone in the redevelopment of one of Ireland’s most iconic GAA venues.
The project involved the demolition of the existing covered stand and clubhouse on the town-centre site and the construction of a modern, high-capacity grandstand. The ground floor features four full-size changing rooms, officials’ changing facilities, public toilets, refreshment kiosks, and plant rooms. The first floor boasts the Club Kildare Premium Level lounge with a bar, administrative offices, and multi-purpose function rooms, enhancing both the spectator and player experience.
In addition to the new grandstand, the redevelopment included a new sand-based grass pitch with integrated irrigation and drainage infrastructure, boundary enclosures, a redesigned entrance plaza with a ticket office and turnstiles, and structural conservation work on the historic Athgarvan Road entrance gate archway—a protected structure. The installation of 500 Lux floodlighting and extensive site drainage and service infrastructure further cemented the project’s reputation for innovation. Notably, the redevelopment has resulted in the first BER A-rated GAA stadium in the country, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in Irish sports facilities.
Donnachadh O’Brien & Associates (DOBA) was appointed as Civil & Structural Engineers, Design Team Lead, and Project Managers, leading a multi-disciplinary, engineering-driven team. The project was designed, procured, and delivered under the GCCC PW-CF1 form of contract. DOBA played a key role from the initial feasibility studies through to the final implementation, with Donnachadh O’Brien, Richard Kiernan, and Thomas Nolan providing critical leadership throughout the process. Keith Davey and Martin Forte were instrumental in the structural and civil design aspects of the project, ensuring the stability and durability of the new stadium.
DOBA’s involvement in St. Conleth’s Park extends beyond this latest redevelopment. The firm had previously assessed the existing stadium’s safety and capacity, identifying areas where the structure could be upgraded, including an aging grandstand that was due for replacement. The limitations of the stadium were thrust into the national spotlight in 2018 during the widely publicized ‘Newbridge or Nowhere’ controversy when Kildare’s home fixture against Mayo in the All-Ireland qualifiers was initially relocated by the GAA. The ensuing standoff ultimately resulted in the match being played at St. Conleth’s Park, where Kildare claimed a famous victory.
Since then, DOBA has continued to support Kildare GAA in its ambition to transform the venue into a premier sporting facility. The latest redevelopment increases the stadium’s capacity to approximately 12,500, securing its status as a leading regional GAA stadium.
As Lead Consultant, DOBA provided Civil & Structural Engineering, Project Management, and PSDP services, collaborating with a team that included architectural, mechanical & electrical, quantity surveying, fire safety, and landscape specialists. Additional expertise was provided by floodlighting consultants, an agronomist for pitch design, and a conservation architect. Stakeholder engagement played a crucial role in the project’s success, involving local residents, commercial neighbors, Kildare County Council, Croke Park, and the Department of Sport and Tourism.
The 2025 ACEI Award for Excellence in Project Management is a testament to DOBA’s dedication to delivering high-quality, sustainable, and innovative infrastructure solutions. The redevelopment of St. Conleth’s Park stands as a shining example of the firm’s expertise and commitment to elevating sports facilities in Ireland.
