Plans backed by former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given for a €4m “state of the art” padel centre of excellence on lands within the grounds of The Club Hotel at Goffs, Co Kildare have secured the green light.
This follows Kildare Co Council granting planning permission to SFW Distribution Limited and Goffs operator, Robert J Goff & Company PLC for the facility, which comprises nine championship-standard indoor padel courts on a site southwest of Goffs at Greenhill in Co Kildare.
Donegal native Shay Given has entered a partnership with businessman Declan Fagan of SFW Distribution to develop the padel centre under the “Arena Padel” brand.
The decision reverses a refusal issued by the Council to SFW Distribution Ltd to its initial planning application last September due to the equine-related zoning of the lands in question.
However, the Council planner’s report, which recommended a grant of permission to the new revised scheme, said that the applicants have overcome the zoning reason for refusal by including new uses including a gym for use by the hotel occupants and jockey-related welfare facilities.
The Council report states the proposed new uses are supportive of equine tourism at Goffs and are in keeping with the Equine Based Leisure Tourism and Enterprise zoning for the site.
The planner’s report also noted that the application was accompanied by letters of support from The Club Hotel @ Goffs; the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) and Irish Injured Jockeys (IIJ).
“We’re delighted to have received permission from Kildare County Council. We’ve worked closely with Goffs to achieve the permission, as well as the wider equine bodies/community.” Director at SFW Distribution Declan Fagan said today.
“Goffs is such an iconic and uniquely positioned location, we feel that given its convenience and accessibility it will be major hit for the the surrounding area of Naas, Kill, Straffan as well as reaching into wider Kildare area, Dublin and beyond,” he said.
“We’re very excited to get construction underway as early as the end of next month and are planning to welcome players in April 2027,” he stated.
“Shay is really looking forward to development progressing and can’t wait to be playing on the courts, along with the facilities such as the high end gym, recovery area and studio space,” he said.
“We think it will become a real wellness /fitness destination, with of course what we hope will be the best padel club in Ireland, as we have committed to a large investment to make this as appealing as possible,” he added.
When the first planning application was lodged in July 2025, Mr Given said: “We’ve founded Arena Padel to bring padel tennis to the masses by investing in purpose built, modern sports arenas. We have found an ideal location in Goffs.”
A planning report lodged by planning consultant David Mulcahy for the applicants stated that “the proposed development will have direct links to the equine industry and be a significant addition to County Kildare in terms of sporting and recreation assets”.
Mr Mulcahy stated that the padel facility will play a critical role in helping to attract international visitors to Goffs sales and The Club Hotel which are established equine related businesses at this location.
He added that the facility “will form an integrated part of the equine offering at Goffs’ employees and partners and the Club Hotel’s guests having direct access to and shared use of the facility”.
Mr Mulcahy said the integration of the hotel and padel arena “will elevate the Goffs’ visitor experience by offering on-site accommodation, dining, leisure, fitness and wellbeing”.
He also said the applicants estimate that up to 30 jobs could be created by the proposed development which “is a significant boost for the local economy in the Naas/Kill area of the county”.
Mr Mulcahy stated that the proposed facility “will be a significant sporting asset for the Co of Kildare”.
He said that the current application addresses the previous refusal on the site which related solely to the issue of non-compliance with the zoning objective – with particular reference to equine industry.
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
