Clubs & Facilities
Fr Breen Park – Introduction
Situated to the west of Abbeyleix Main Street, Fr. Breen Park is a unique example of a multi-use/co-located facility located close to the centre of the town.
The park incorporates a full-size GAA pitch, soccer pitch, all weather pitches & ball wall, all weather tennis courts, walkway and a shared clubhouse. The shared clubhouse includes dressing rooms for the various sporting disciplines and two multi use upstairs meeting or indoor exercise spaces.
The Park also incorporates the Parish Hall which accommodates the Jelly Tots Creche and Playschool and a multipurpose community hall.
There is also a small outside play area for use by the Creche.
The Park site is managed by the Park Development Committee which is an umbrella group made of representatives from the various sporting disciplines and from the wider community of Abbeyleix.
The co-located facility represents an excellent and intensive use of resources within the town centre location.
While the Players’ areas are managed for their individual sports, the non playing areas are increasingly managed with green spaces & biodiversity in mind.
Clubs & Facilities in Fr Breen Park
Abbeyleix Vitality Hub
The Hub is a community initiative to help increase participation in sports, physical and well-being activity in the local area, grant aided by Sports Ireland, through Laois Sports Partnership.
Address: Abbeyleix Vitality Hub, Fr Breen Park, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois R32 H7WR
Contact details:
Name: Liz Kennedy
Email: info@abbeyleixvitalityhub.ie
Abbeyleix GAA
St. Lazarian’s Abbeyleix GAA Hurling and Camogie Club is based in Fr. Breen Park in Abbeyleix. The GAA pitch opened in 1925. St Lazarians Camogie was formed in 2013.
Close to the Pitch are the Club’s dressing rooms, Clubhouse & Ball Wall. Both Hurling & Camogie welcome players from Under 6 to Adult level, male & female.
Address:
St Lazarian’s GAA Club, Fr Breen Park, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois R32 H7WR
Contact details:
Chair: Niall Ryan
Email:
secretary.abbeyleix.laois@gaa.ie , secretary.stlazarians.laois@camogie.ie
Abbeyleix Community
Abbeyleix Community Facebook is dedicated to the town. Abbeyleix was Ireland’s overall “Tidiest Town” in 2023 & “All Ireland Small Tidy Town” in 2022. In 2025 it won the 10th consecutive Gold Medal Award. Abbeyleix was awarded a “5 Blooms Silver Award” at the 2025 “Communities in Bloom International” Awards in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. It also won an Outstanding Achievement Award for International Community Involvement with special recognition for Abbeyleix Community Garden
Abbeyleix AFC Soccer Club
Abbeyleix Soccer Club has playing facilities in Fr Breen Park & at the Stone Arch site.
Senior teams compete in the Combined Counties Football League (CCFL) whilst the Juvenile teams, from u8s to u16s, compete in the Midlands Schoolboys and girls League (MSL).
Both Seniors and Juvenile teams also compete in FAI cups.
The club offers non-competitive Academy Soccer at younger ages.
The Club holds the FAI Club Mark Award (entry level).
The Club welcomes boys & girls from all ages from Under 6s.
Address: Abbeyleix Soccer Club, Fr Breen Park, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. R32 H7WR
Contact details:
Juvenile Teams
Name: Mick Moran (Treasurer)
Mobile: 087 276 5871
Name: Nicole Cranny (Club Secretary)
Email: nicolecranny.abbeyleixafc@gmail.com
Senior Teams
Name: Mike Foxall (Assistant Club Secretary)
Email: mike.foxall@outlook.com
Abbeyleix Tennis Club
Abbeyleix Tennis Club was established in 1909 & is located in Fr. Breen Park. It has five floodlit, synthetic grass courts which were all recently refurbished & large clubhouse with facilities.
The club welcomes players of all ages and abilities with ample opportunities for both social and competitive tennis. Individual and group coaching is also available all year round.
Address: Abbeyleix Tennis Club, Fr Breen Park, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois R32 H7WR
Contact details:
Email: info@abbeyleixtennis.com
Mobile: 086 668 4049
Laois Hockey Club
Laois Hockey Club is an amalgamation of Portlaoise Ladies Hockey Club (Senior Ladies Teams) and Abbeyleix Hockey Club (Junior Teams). The Men’s Hockey Team was formed in 2024. Training takes place for all age groups in Fr Breen Park in Abbeyleix. The Club welcomes players from Senior Infants to Adult, male & female.
Address: Laois Hockey Club,Fr Breen Park, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois R32 H7WR
Contact details:
Email: secretary.laoishockeyclub@gmail.com
Jelly Tots Creche
At Jelly Tots Crèche and Playschool, we provide a warm, nurturing and community-focused environment where children can learn, grow and thrive.
Located in Fr. Breen Park, Abbeyleix, we care for children from 1 to 6 years offering full-day, part-time and sessional options and an afterschool service also. Our approach is inspired by Aistear and Síolta and we believe in child-led exploration, creativity, outdoor play and giving each child the space to develop at their own pace. Every child is valued as an individual, and we work to create a calm, supportive atmosphere that feels like a home from home.
Address: Abbeyleix Parish Hall, Fr. Breen Park, Abbeyleix. R32 K65X
Contact details:
Name: Shauna McHugh
Phone: 057 87 31904
Email: admin@jellys-tots.org
The Walkway
Many visitors to the Park enjoy using the walkway around the Park. It offers a pleasant walk linking other town walk routes & it provides a pleasant loop using the walkway & the towns’ footpaths.
There are opportunities to avail of seating in the Park en route. The Walkway is lit in the evening time on the darker evenings providing an opportunity to walk on the darker evenings ( note – aspirational currently)
The Outdoor Gym
The Outdoor Gym is a large varied outdoor gym situated adjacent to the GAA pitch & near the Tennis Club. It offers 18 workout stations.
