4G All-Weather Rugby Facility

“ Rockwell College takes possession of Willie Duggan Park …………………”

Update March 15th 2025

The new rugby facility at a cost of €650,000 was completed in February and handed over to the College. With approval of both the College and his family, the new World Rugby Accredited Facility will be called “Willie Duggan Park” after Rockwell’s most celebrated international and past pupil. Recognised as the outstanding #8 of his generation, Willie Duggan (Class 1967) was a Munster Schools Senior Cup Winner in Rockwell, played for Leinster, Ireland (Captain) and the British & Irish Lions on their tour of New Zealand.

Willie was a proud Rockwellian who never forgot his alma mater and gave generously of his time in coaching sessions with various SCT’s over the years. He was honoured by the Rockwell College Union as their recipient of the Union’s “ Person of the Year” Award in 2016 much to the delight of his classmates and the wider Rockwell Community past and present at the Union Annual Dinner . 

The 7,000 m2 all-weather playing surface is a major addition to the already impressive on campus sports facilities in the College and this rugby facility allows our students to train throughout the year on the best playing surface no matter the weather conditions – see photos below

The Phase 1 cost has been raised entirely through the generous support of past pupils and the Rockwell College Union. The fund raising continues for Phase 2 (The Lights) and subject to planning permission and donations, we expect lights to be installed in the autumn. The estimated cost for Lights is €100,000 and past pupils have been joined by parents of students in the Phase 2 fund raising. We are delighted to advise that in the short time the Phase 2 funding has been opened, the sum of €31,000 has been received.

All Donors will be acknowledged on the Union Wall which is constructed on site now at the players entrance to the rugby facility and the graphics with each Donors name and class year will be acknowledged on the Union Wall once the fund raising is completed. Time is running out now to make your donate so please click here to support Rockwell 

If you haven’t donated yet it is not too late, but time is running out for you ! All donations are paid directly to Rockwell College.

Donations paid directly to Rockwell College by EFT to:- ROCKWELL COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT FUND A/C IBAN:- IE03AIBK93506902435084 BIC:- AIBKIE2D.

Complete attached CHY4 Form – very important you complete fully Part A & C and return this form.

Or, By Cheque/Bank Draft made out to Rockwell College Development Fund with completed CHY4 Form and send to Joan Kennedy, Finance Manager, Rockwell College, Cashel, Co Tipperary, E25F886.

Click Here to Download All-Weather Rugby Documentation

All donations acknowledged by Audrey O’Byrne (Principal Rockwell College)

To date donations have been received from Classes 1958 – 2023 which is remarkable testimony to the support from past pupils. The Classes 1972 & 1975 are joint highest contributors in terms of number of Donors, followed by Class 1978 , then Class 1962 jointly with Classes 1967,1988 and 2004 as highest number of Donors per Class. The Classes 1958 – 1979 and from 1990 – 2005 have also contributed in good numbers.

Photos below of the progress back in the Autumn of 2024

Progress during September and October

Work started at the end of August 2024

Once again, we are counting on support of all Past Pupils so please make a donation to be able to complete this project.

Please consider getting involved and supporting this project.

 You can fill out the attached paperwork HERE so that Rockwell can claim back tax relief on your donation if it is over €250 or you can make a contribution of support below.

We will keep you updated on this project in the months ahead.