Offaly GAA Club Map and Population Estimates

[offalyclubmap]

Fellow Offaly Gaels,

It has long been suboptimal that easy to access publicly available information as to the formal defined borders of GAA clubs in Offaly (indeed all counties) has not existed. There is nothing on the Offaly GAA website, nothing on any club website and nobody, not even the most ardent club member, seems to know exactly where club borders are. The information to solve anything from simple curiosity to disagreements on player eligibility to helping parents know which club to bring their children to is not easily available anywhere online.

With this is mind, I have been working on a map of the approximate geographical catchment area of each GAA club in County Offaly. I hope the creation of this map is a starting point and Offaly GAA or any club are welcome to use it and adapt it as they see fit.



Interactive map:
Open the interactive Offaly Club Map Google map



How the map was created
The County Offaly outline was constructed from Tailte Éireann’s official ungeneralised townland polygons. Historical Catholic parish polygons from the National Library of Ireland were then used to group those townlands into broad parish-based catchments. The NLI parish boundaries are indicative rather than survey-accurate, so they were not treated as exact modern boundaries.

Offaly GAA’s bye-laws and the GAA’s parish-based catchment rules provided the overall framework. GAA Pitch Finder coordinates were used to locate club grounds. Where a parish contained more than one club, the area was divided using whole townlands, club locations, the supplied club-area reference map, roads and localities, documented cross-border affiliations and detailed local corrections.
The completed club polygons were exported as a KMZ and displayed over Google My Maps. The finished map shows the club areas overlaid on a proper geographical map, with each area coloured in the club’s colours and the club names displayed permanently.

This is therefore a carefully researched best-estimate map, not an official Offaly GAA boundary record or a definitive ruling on player eligibility.
Despite the effort undertaken, on a topic as complex and fragmented as this there is likley to still be inaccuracies. There may still be individual roads, townlands or houses close to a boundary that need correction. If anyone notices an error, particularly if they can identify the relevant road or townland, please post it below.

Map sources

• Tailte Éireann — National Statutory Townland Boundaries
• Full list of Offaly and Carrig/Riverstown townlands examined and working club assignments (Excel)
• Tailte Éireann — Townlands, National Statutory Boundaries, Ungeneralised 2024
• National Library of Ireland — Catholic Parish Registers Geodata
• Offaly GAA — 2025 Bye-Laws
• Offaly GAA — Club Directory
• GAA Pitch Finder — Club and pitch locations
• Local knowledge and the detailed corrections made during the map-review process.
• Google My Maps was used to display and distribute the completed KMZ.

Estimated population by GAA club area — Census 2022
1. Tullamore — 15,469
2. Edenderry — 8,616
3. Birr — 5,096
4. Clara — 4,517
5. St Rynagh’s — 3,773
6. Kilcormac/Killoughey — 3,504
7. Ferbane/Belmont — 3,495
8. Shamrocks — 3,355
9. Gracefield — 3,256
10. Daingean — 2,222
11. Rhode — 2,221
12. Raheen — 1,837
13. Clodiagh Gaels — 1,832
14. Shinrone — 1,624
15. Coolderry — 1,470
16. Drumcullen — 1,444
17. Bracknagh — 1,241
18. Carrig & Riverstown — 1,241
19. Kinnitty — 1,090
20. Walsh Island — 1,019
21. Ballinagar — 1,007
22. Cappincur — 992
23. Clonbullogue — 968
24. Crinkill — 940
25. Doon — 931
26. Tubber — 921
27. Durrow — 875
28. Ballyfore — 812
29. Ballycumber — 793
30. Erin Rovers — 769
31. Ballyskenagh/Killavilla — 698
32. Shannonbridge — 678
33. Ballinamere — 676
34. Clonmore Harps — 665
35. Ballycommon — 659
36. Lusmagh — 636
37. Seir Kieran — 584
38. Kilclonfert — 448
39. St Brigid’s — 415

Total population within the mapped club areas: 82,789.

These are estimated resident populations within the mapped club-area boundaries, based on Census 2022 Small Area data. They represent the population living within each geographical catchment rather than club membership, players or supporters.
Offaly population within the mapped areas: 81,619
North Tipperary population within the mapped areas: 1,170
*Carrig & Riverstown’s total comprises 71 residents in County Offaly and 1,170 residents in its mapped North Tipperary territory.


How the figures were calculated
The population data came from the CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics and was matched geographically against the club polygons.

Population spreadsheet: Download the full Census 2022 analysis

Where a complete Census Small Area fell inside one club polygon, its entire population was assigned to that club. Where a Small Area crossed a club boundary, its population was divided using the distribution of residential building points within the relevant parts of the Small Area. Two Small Areas, with a combined population of 374, did not have suitable building-point data and were divided according to land area instead.

The final allocation was reconciled back to the official County Offaly Census 2022 population of 83,150:
• 81,619 Offaly residents were allocated to the mapped club polygons.
• 1,531 Offaly residents fell in territory not currently assigned to a club polygon (Moneygall GAA).
• A further 1,170 North Tipperary residents were included in the Carrig & Riverstown area.
The 40 club totals therefore add to 82,789 people: 81,619 within Offaly and 1,170 within North Tipperary.

These are estimates of the total resident population within each mapped area. They are not estimates of club membership, playing numbers or support. Figures involving divided Census Small Areas are necessarily modelled and should not be interpreted as accurate to an individual person.

Data sources
CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics:
CSO Census 2022 SAPS
Tailte Éireann/GeoHive 2022 Small Area boundaries:
GeoHive Small Area boundaries


I would be very interested to hear people’s thoughts on both the boundaries and the population figures. Again, all corrections and suggestions are welcome and will be used to amend the map, provided any corrections are backed up with a verfiable source.

Thanks very much and enjoy.

P.S. My email is offalyclubmap@gmail.com if anybody would like to contact me.

[Offaly Hero]

Now this is very interesting. Thanks for working on it and agree, badly needed.

A few initial points of I'm sure many that will follow.

1: Does St Rynaghs really come all the way into Ferbane up to and including the secondary school?! According to the map, the Ferbane GAA pitch itself is just about the 'right' side of the border. If so, I can only assume this border is being completly ignored by many in Ferbane who live on the St Rynaghs side of the border. Lone Shark can you confirm?

2: Ditto. Does Shamrocks really come all the way up into Ballycumber?! If so, I can only assume this border is also being completly ignored by many in Ballycumber who live on the Shamrocks side of the border.

3: Some of the small geographic sizes of clubs along with their small populations are stark. Though no fault of their own Crinkill, Kilclonfert and Erin Rovers for example really have to think if they would be better served by amalgamation. Erin Rovers to Ballycumber makes sense and Kilclonfert to St Brigids.

4: The east and north Offaly conurbation of small clubs is the big reason the senior football championship is so uncompetitive outside of the big 4. Again amalgamations have to be considered.

5: Current underacheivers for their size and population are Gracefield and to a lesser extent Drumcullen. Gracefield really stand out though.

6: Current overachievers. There are many. Seir Kieran, Lusmagh and Ballycommon stand out. Also the combined population of Ballinamere/Durrow really suggests what we already knew - that they have a golden generation on their hands.

7: Tullamore have some popultation advantage.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Brilliant, brilliant work. Two points.
1. The Rynaghs/ Ferbane-Belmont boundary is the Canal rather than the River Brosna.

2. Yes, The Island part of Rahan Parish extends to the bridge in Ballycumber.

[offalyclubmap]

Two points.
1. The Rynaghs/ Ferbane-Belmont boundary is the Canal rather than the River Brosna.

Do you have any source for this?

[Plain of the Herbs]

Sorry, its anecdotal only. Someone posted it here several years ago. I'll try and find the thread later.

I recall querying why the Canal would be the boundary, given the boundary would have predated the digging of the Canal. Apparently there was a land swap where Ferbane took in the territory between the Canal and the existing boundary (which was practically in the town of Ferbane) amounting to seven townlands, while Rynagh-Gallen was granted some land towards the north east of the parish in return.

Two points.
1. The Rynaghs/ Ferbane-Belmont boundary is the Canal rather than the River Brosna.

Do you have any source for this?

[offalyclubmap]

Sorry, its anecdotal only. Someone posted it here several years ago. I'll try and find the thread later.

I recall querying why the Canal would be the boundary, given the boundary would have predated the digging of the Canal. Apparently there was a land swap where Ferbane took in the territory between the Canal and the existing boundary (which was practically in the town of Ferbane) amounting to seven townlands, while Rynagh-Gallen was granted some land towards the north east of the parish in return.

Two points.
1. The Rynaghs/ Ferbane-Belmont boundary is the Canal rather than the River Brosna.

Do you have any source for this?

And there-in lies the tale of so much of this. Anecdotal chinese whispers reports from misty past. Obviously for the map to be changed, I need sources as I'm sure all can understand.

The reasoning for the map was:
At Ferbane town, the reconstructed Ferbane–St Rynagh’s border follows the statutory boundary between Ferbane and Gallen townlands shown in Tailte Éireann’s National Statutory Boundaries data. This boundary broadly follows the historic course of the River Brosna rather than the Grand Canal.

[Offaly Hero]

Also: What an incredible achievement for Ballyskenagh, on their own pre-amalgamation, to get to an Offaly Senior Hurling final in 2003. Like Leitrim getting to an All-Ireland football final.

Pity they didn't win.

[Superhans75]

You know what they say about statistics.
There' out of date before there published
Great work .
Mind you an age profile of parishes would be better.
I'm sure kinnity has an older population
Than Crinkle ect .
Another the Catholic church uses the Byrony boundary as parish boundaries .
That is another story

[Hit and Miss]

Very well put together , well done !
Will definetly be helpfull for someone .

Does anyone have any detail on Ballyskenagh county final around that final time ?
Any Tipp / Shinrone players etc ?

Its amazing to see so many players outside of their borders where it is generally accepted but then you have the trials and tribulations of Tullamore/Cappincur.

Wonder would a gaa membership figure relative to the area be a next step ?

[Tar Man]

Hi offalyclubmap,

Great work completed here. I'm just wondering who this work is being completed for - are you affiliated with the County Board? I was present at the presentation by Croke Park officials on the impending Demographics issue that is going to affect the country and especially smaller rural clubs and I'm wondering if this is part of the County Board response to try and gain an understanding of the issue on its affects to our county.

Great work - I'll bring it to our Club and see if the boundaries on the ground are as per the data shown on the map.

[offalyclubmap]

Hi offalyclubmap,

Great work completed here. I'm just wondering who this work is being completed for - are you affiliated with the County Board? I was present at the presentation by Croke Park officials on the impending Demographics issue that is going to affect the country and especially smaller rural clubs and I'm wondering if this is part of the County Board response to try and gain an understanding of the issue on its affects to our county.

Great work - I'll bring it to our Club and see if the boundaries on the ground are as per the data shown on the map.

Thanks for the response and thanks for bringing it to officialdom.

No, I'm not affiliated with anybody. The work was completed mainly out of genuine curiosity and interest. What defines a club? What defines who and where it represents? What defines it's size, it's resources? This work helps to bring shape to these basic questions.

However, I do find it a blind spot that depsite Offaly GAA, officially anyway, enforcing parish rule with respect to club boundaries and player eligibility there is absolutely no information regarding these boundaries online either from the clubs themselves or from Offaly GAA. That is strange. If parish rule wasn't the offical position then club boundaries wouldn't matter. But it is, so they should.
The rights and wrongs of parish rule and whether its actually being enforced on the ground (spoiler alert: it's not) can be debated on another day. I have no opinion on the matter.

I will say Offaly GAA is in good and numerous company. Most counties have no information regarding their club boundaries.

[offalyclubmap]

I've had a close look at the Ferbane/Belmont St Rynaghs border and I do believe there were inaccuracies here. I've amended the map as best as I can with the information available to me and have also ammended the club population lists.

[SearingDrive]

Very well put together , well done !
Will definetly be helpfull for someone .

Does anyone have any detail on Ballyskenagh county final around that final time ?
Any Tipp / Shinrone players etc ?

Its amazing to see so many players outside of their borders where it is generally accepted but then you have the trials and tribulations of Tullamore/Cappincur.

Wonder would a gaa membership figure relative to the area be a next step ?

I think it was the 2003 SHC Final v Birr. There were a lot of players called Franks, and Kirwan. All were from Offaly. Interestingly, Ballyskenach is in Roscrea parish, and they originally played in North Tipperary championship. Around 1960, a decision was made by Tipp.GAA, that there should be just one team in the parish.
Ballyskenach had a choice to make, and they successfully applied to play in the Offaly hurling championship. POTH confirmed this to me, as I had an idea BSch, originally played in Tipperary at junior level.
Well known inter county referee Gerry Kirwan, from the 60’s and 70’s was from the Ballyskenach club.

[Plain of the Herbs]

The Ballyskenagh team that played the 2003 County Final. All look local names to me. They were:
Tomás O’Toole; Eugene Hannon, Cathal Murphy, Brendan Franks; Mark Kirwan, Mick O’Hara, David Franks; Barry Keeshan, Alan Middleton; Brendan Murphy, Noel Murphy, Eoghan Franks; Aidan Franks, David Carney, John Dooley. Sub used: Derek Middleton.

Arguably a greater achievement was Ballskenagh winning the Minor A hurling championship on their own in 1991.

Very well put together , well done !
Will definetly be helpfull for someone .

Does anyone have any detail on Ballyskenagh county final around that final time ?
Any Tipp / Shinrone players etc ?

Its amazing to see so many players outside of their borders where it is generally accepted but then you have the trials and tribulations of Tullamore/Cappincur.

Wonder would a gaa membership figure relative to the area be a next step ?

I think it was the 2003 SHC Final v Birr. There were a lot of players called Franks, and Kirwan. All were from Offaly. Interestingly, Ballyskenach is in Roscrea parish, and they originally played in North Tipperary championship. Around 1960, a decision was made by Tipp.GAA, that there should be just one team in the parish.
Ballyskenach had a choice to make, and they successfully applied to play in the Offaly hurling championship. POTH confirmed this to me, as I had an idea BSch, originally played in Tipperary at junior level.
Well known inter county referee Gerry Kirwan, from the 60’s and 70’s was from the Ballyskenach club.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Link here to the discussion we had here on parish and club boundaries back in 2017.
https://www.uibhfhaili.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?t=7084