Remedial work on the playing fields, 1984-86
Item
Format
JPEG
Title
Remedial work on the playing fields, 1984-86
Identifier
VH0076
Depiction
A man on a tractor spreading sand from a hopper in parallel lines on a field.
Description
In the first photograph, John Connell from Menlo, one of the University grounds team, is seen working to improve the drainage of the Dangan sports fields. The second photograph shows Bernard Finan standing beside the tractor with John Connell on the left. A fuller view of the team involved is seen in photograph number three, while the fourth and fifth photographs show the early results of the work from different angles and at different stages.
In the mid 1980s the north campus playing fields, located in low-lying land near the River Corrib, were found to have drainage problems. A programme of work was undertaken to ensure that they could be used throughout the year. One method adopted was the creation of a network of intersecting slit trenches to eliminate surface water.
Since that time the Dangan Sports Campus has been developed to include two GAA pitches, two soccer pitches, a rugby pitch, a training pitch, a hockey pitch, an athletics track, tennis courts and a sports pavilion.
In the early days of the University managing the grounds was a much simpler task. The Calendar for 1897-1898 describes the outdoor amenities as follows: 'The Botanical Gardens, the cricket and football fields, the tennis and racquet courts are in the grounds surrounding the principal Building, as are also the Meteorological instruments, which are in charge of one of the College officers' (Calendar, p. 42).
The Galway campus now extends to 105 hectares along the River Corrib. The University also manages field stations in Finnavarra, and Carron in the Burren, and Carna in Connemara, all locations of exceptional importance for biodiversity.
In the mid 1980s the north campus playing fields, located in low-lying land near the River Corrib, were found to have drainage problems. A programme of work was undertaken to ensure that they could be used throughout the year. One method adopted was the creation of a network of intersecting slit trenches to eliminate surface water.
Since that time the Dangan Sports Campus has been developed to include two GAA pitches, two soccer pitches, a rugby pitch, a training pitch, a hockey pitch, an athletics track, tennis courts and a sports pavilion.
In the early days of the University managing the grounds was a much simpler task. The Calendar for 1897-1898 describes the outdoor amenities as follows: 'The Botanical Gardens, the cricket and football fields, the tennis and racquet courts are in the grounds surrounding the principal Building, as are also the Meteorological instruments, which are in charge of one of the College officers' (Calendar, p. 42).
The Galway campus now extends to 105 hectares along the River Corrib. The University also manages field stations in Finnavarra, and Carron in the Burren, and Carna in Connemara, all locations of exceptional importance for biodiversity.
People
John Connell
Bernard Finan
References
- Personal communication: Bernard Finan, notes of interview with Donal Igoe, 2024.
- Queen's College Galway Calendar, 1897-1898 (Dublin: University Press, 1898), online at https://core.ac.uk/download/211408967.pdf, accessed 15 April 2024.
- Jamie Maxwell, Caitríona Carlin and Dara Stanley, 'Biodiversity Trail', https://www.universityofgalway.ie/biodiversitytrail/, accessed 15 April 2024.
Contributor
Bibliographic Citation
B. Finan, J. Conroy, D. Igoe, 'Remedial work on the playing fields, 1984-86', Visual History Retired Staff Collection, University of Galway Digital Collections, Asset Id 14555, Archival Record Id VHRS
Spatial Coverage
Temporal Coverage
Period
1980s
Category
colour
portrait
landscape
on-campus
outdoors
Publisher
University of Galway Library
Rights
This image may be used for non-commercial purposes under CC BY-NC-SA see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Linked resources
Filter by property
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
 Bernard Finan checking materials for the playing fields, 1984-1986 |
Image |