placenamesPark
An Pháirc
Park, commonly written Parke locally, has a community history reflected in the creation of its football club and later development association.
The name
These Irish name elements are associated with this record in the Logainm glossary.
An element’s translation is a clue, rather than a complete explanation of the name. Its form and meaning depend on local history and the full Irish name.
Recorded forms
- An Pháirc · Irish · main form · validated name
- Park · English · main form
Place & story
Forming the football club
Parke’s present GAA club was formed in March 1970, after earlier efforts during the previous decade had failed to produce an agreement. Father Michael Comer of Crimlin helped bring the renewed initiative together, and the West Mayo Board accepted the club into its competitions the following month. The first challenge matches were played in jerseys borrowed from De La Salle College in Castlebar. Black and amber appeared later that April as the club established its own identity. [2]
A stand and a wider playing community
The Jimmy McHugh Stand opened on 29 April 2007, commemorating a former Parke player who had captained successful under-fourteen teams and represented Mayo at underage level. Another change followed when girls began training separately on a trial basis in 2009. The club’s account records more than fifty registering for the 2010 season, followed by the first girls’ challenge games against Breaffy that May. These developments widened the facilities and opportunities associated with the local ground. [2]
Working together beyond sport
The Parke and Crimlin Area Development Association was founded in 2019. Its initial aim was to seek Village Renewal Scheme support for paths, lighting and other improvements through Mayo County Council. Although that first funding application did not succeed, the members decided to retain the association and pursue further projects. Its own account describes a voluntary, non-profit organisation serving residents and visitors, adding a dedicated development group to the area’s existing community institutions. [3]
Geographic information
Sources & further reading
- Logainm.ie — Park. Place names and geographic record, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- Formation of the Club; Jimmy McHugh Stand; Ladies GAA · Parke Keelogues Crimlin GAA
- About Us: Brief History · Parke and Crimlin Area Development Association
Name record retrieved 2026-10-25 · Source record modified 2025-01-10. How this page was prepared.