'This is only the beginning': Padel operator marks second club opening at one of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality destinations
Backed by multi-million-pound private investment, Padel Society is expanding with a new club at Kingfisher Country Estate in Templepatrick
Padel Society, co-founded by David McCann and James Palmer and backed by multi-million-pound private investment, has opened Kingfisher Padel Club at the Kingfisher Country Estate, Templepatrick.
The new club is being delivered in partnership with DoubleTree by Hilton and will operate under the co-branded identity: Kingfisher Padel Club by Padel Society.
The Kingfisher Country Estate is one of Northern Ireland’s leading hospitality destinations, home to a championship golf course, luxury spa, gym, and a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. The addition of padel will further enhance the estate’s active lifestyle offering for hotel guests, estate members, and the wider public, with courts built and installed by Padel-Craft to the highest European standards.
The launch marks Padel Society’s second club, following a hugely successful debut season at Muckamore Cricket Club in Antrim, where the brand opened in July 2025. The Antrim club exceeded expectations, quickly establishing itself as a social and sporting hub for the local community, with consistent demand for courts, a growing coaching programme, and strong investor confidence underpinning continued expansion. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Antrim was attended by the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, the MP, MLAs, and members of the council.
James Palmer, co-founder of Padel Society, said: “After an incredible first season in Antrim, Kingfisher is a natural next step for Padel Society. David and I set out to build a premium padel business with the right venues, the right partners and the right long-term approach.
"Kingfisher is one of Northern Ireland’s standout hospitality destinations, and this partnership reflects the direction we want to take the brand. We have strong momentum, continued investor confidence and a growing pipeline of sites across Ireland. This is only the beginning.”
Padel Society is now building a pipeline of new clubs across Ireland and beyond, with a number of sites in development and progressing through planning. Backed by continued private investment, the company is building a portfolio of premium venues in established locations, with each site following the model developed in Antrim: strong partnerships, high-quality facilities and a community-first approach. Kingfisher represents a landmark step in that programme.
Welcoming the announcement, Naomi Nicoll, President of the Padel Federation of Ireland, said: "The opening of Kingfisher Padel Club by Padel Society is a very positive development for padel in Ireland. Set in a wonderful location, it reflects the growing momentum behind the sport and the opportunity to expand the game in welcoming, accessible settings.
"Developments like this not only support local participation but also contribute to Ireland’s growing appeal as a destination for sports tourism. Padel Society has already shown what can be achieved through thoughtful investment and a strong community focus, and this new club is exactly the kind of development that will help the sport continue to grow."