Erin's Own GAA (Kilkenny) - The Prince Grounds

The Prince Grounds

The Prince Grounds has been home to Erin's Own since the 1950s at least. During the '50s the Prince was owned by the Wandesforde family, the landlords of the Castlecomer estate. Erin's Own purchased the property outright in the 1960s.

In the early days hurling was not the only sport to be played at the Prince, the ground seeing plenty of hockey played, and even some cricket. In the '70s and '80s the club regularly loaned the pitch to the local soccer team while they were acquiring and developing their own premises next door. During the Emergency the field was ploughed up for agricultural purposes.

In the late 1950s, when 'Comer won the Junior Championship, dressing rooms and showers were installed – then a novel facility! The Prince was one of few grounds so equipped in the county at the time. The building was galvanized, with timber supports and a timber floor, while the showers were "cold" and were supplied by a large rainwater tank on the roof. This facility really stood the test of time and served the club right up until the present building was erected in 1994. When the team was training for the Championship in '58 they would finish up a session with a run to the Deerpark Mines, where they were allowed use the "Baths" (new hot showers for the miners).