Club History

There have been many GAA clubs in the parish but the present club was formed in late 1973 by Mr. Denis Wall when he returned home after working in England. The most successful predecessor was the Cuddagh Club that reached 3 Senior County Finals in 1957, 1959 and 1961. 

The club officially came into existence for the 1974 GAA year. A General Meeting was held on Sunday 23rd December 1973 in the ICA Hall. Denis Wall, on behalf of the caretaker group who had been trying to establish a club, opened the meeting and handed over to Bro. Donard of the De La Salle Monastery for the election of officers. 

The following officers were elected:

President- Bro. Donard

Chairperson- Mr. Denis Wall

Vice Chairperson- Mr. John Cuddy

Secretary- Mr. Christy Phelan

Treasurer- Mr. Oliver Dunne

Committee - Mr. Joe Dunne, Mr. Donie Dunphy, Mr. James Bergin, Mr. Jim Hooban, Mr. Denis Walsh, Mr. Tom Finlay and Mr. Joe Wall

The club had notable success in the first number of years winning Junior and Intermediate hurling titles in 1974 and 1975 respectively, reaching senior status in just three years. The club remained at senior level for the remainder of the seventies but did not make any impact at the top level. They were relegated to intermediate level in 1980 and immediately won a second intermediate title. The next few years the club found itself in limbo- being too good for intermediate and not good enough for senior. Further intermediate titles followed in 1986 and 1993.

In 1988 the club won its first minor title. From this victory the seeds for the future success of the club were sown. They lost the minor final in 1989 but went on to win further minor titles in 1990, 1993 and 1998. From these successes at minor level the club finally made an impact at senior level and won their first senior championship in 1995. The win started a golden era for the club and the team went on to contest every county final up to 2005 with the exception of 1998, winning the title in years 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005. The team also contested 3 Leinster Club Finals in 1997, 1999 and 2001 losing on each occasion to Birr. The 2001 defeat was after a replay. During this period Castletown reached the final of the prestigious Carlow 11s tournament three times but were defeated narrowly on each occassion by Cashel King Cormacs of Tipperary, Glynn/Barntown of Wexford and Ballygunner of Waterford, after extra time. 

From January 2011-January 2015 the club had an "amalgamation" agreement of sorts with Slieve Bloom, the other adult club in the parish. As a result of this amalgamation Castletown GAA Club entered in hurling competition only as Castletown Slieve Bloom and Slieve Bloom GAA Club entered in football competition only as Slieve Bloom Castletown.

This amalgamation began as a 2 year trial for 2011 and 2012. This was further extended in 2013 for another year. In late 2013 it was agreed to continue the same arrangement for 2014 but with a proposal to solidify the arrangement over time. The two clubs committed to a process whereby the aim was to have a proposal before both clubs by late 2014 to amalgamate fully. This never came to pass. 

After a period of "negotiations" aimed at furthering the arrangement, Slieve Bloom informed Castletown in January 2015 that they were entering their own hurling team in 2015, thus ending the arrangement. The clubs continued to amalgamate for Minor and U21 Hurling. 

Check out the drop down menu in the Club History tab above for information on the club's crest, a year by year account of club activities since it was formed, past officers and a list of titles won by the club.