A major new padel facility is coming to Douglas after Cork City Council approved plans for a €2 million development at the historic St Patrick's Woollen Mills.
Cork businessman Denis Murphy confirmed on LinkedIn that the project has been given the green light and is set to move ahead, with building work expected to commence in mid-summer and the facility targeted to open by the end of 2026.
Denis Murphy sought planning permission back in January to build the indoor recreation facility at St Patrick's Woollen Mills, comprising six padel courts in total. The 2,000 square metre development will also include a multi-use sports and recreation room, a cafe, a reception area, changing facilities and seating areas, a bar, and a co-working space, bringing significant redevelopment to the area and breathing new life into a site that has been part of the fabric of Douglas for nearly 150 years.
The scheme is located adjacent to where separate works have just started on a new primary care centre, and will also include car parking, a plaza, and landscaped open space. The multi-use room will also feature golf simulation machines, which the developer said would enhance “both activity and leisure facilities.”
The news comes at an exciting time for racquet sports in Cork. The city's first five-bay Trackman studio on the Marina opens tomorrow, adding to a growing wave of premium sport and leisure facilities across the city.
Padel Boom Hits Cork
Padel has been growing rapidly worldwide and the trend is exploding in Cork. The sport, which combines elements of tennis and squash played on a smaller enclosed court, has attracted a massive following due to its accessibility and social nature.
The new facility, to be called “The Padel Club,” fits in well with the existing ecosystem of gyms, pilates studios, and fitness facilities already established in the Douglas area. With plenty of schools nearby, the club is also well positioned to attract strong footfall from families and younger players.
A Local Man With Big Plans
Denis Murphy is a Cork man through and through. He grew up in Ballintemple and attended St Anthony's BNS and Christians College before going on to have stints in both Manchester and Dubai. He returned home to Cork and has been serving as Commercial Director of St Patrick's Woollen Mills since January 2024.
Speaking about the project, Murphy said the development is about more than just sport.
“St Patrick’s Woollen Mills has been part of the fabric of Douglas for nearly 150 years. We’re delighted to be bringing a new generation of activity to the site with a facility that we believe will become a real hub for sport and community in the area.”
He added that no detail has been overlooked in the planning process.
“We’ve designed a premium experience both on and off the court. Every element of this club has been carefully considered from the outset, with the aim of building something that genuinely raises the bar for padel in Ireland.”
“Our hope is that people won’t just come here to play, they’ll come here to spend time. With academy-led coaching, leagues, and events planned year-round, we’re building a club centred around community and connection in Douglas.”
A Welcome Addition to Douglas
The development is a welcomed renovation to the historic woollen mills, and local bars and eateries in the area are expected to benefit from the increased footfall the facility will bring.
Murphy pointed to the natural synergy with what already exists in the area.
“The existing ecosystem of health and lifestyle businesses creates a natural fit for the padel club, positioning the Woollen Mills as a growing hub for sport, wellbeing, and community activity in Douglas.”
With an aggressive building timeline and a clear vision for what the club will offer, The Padel Club at Douglas Woollen Mills looks set to become one of Cork's most exciting new sporting and social destinations when it opens later this year.