In 1997 the Combined Residents Association expressed in their submission to the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) Master Plan, the community’s wish to see the Stadium at Irishtown, upgraded and developed as a state of the art Sports Complex. Their wish came true this summer when the Minister for Sports and Tourism Mr John O’Donoghue TD officially opened the new community amenity at Irishtown Stadium.

The facilities include a 400-metre tartan style athletics track, a resurfaced soccer pitch on the infield and five five-a-side all-weather football pitches. A state of the art pavilion, which includes changing rooms with showers, gymnasium, aerobics studio, meeting rooms, kitchen and storage has also been provided.

Speaking at the opening, local TD Eoin Ryan welcomed “this wonderful addition to the sporting infrastructure of the area.” He went on to say that when he was Minister for State at the Department of Community and Family Affairs he became aware of a number of sports venues under development throughout Ireland and set about pushing the project for Irishtown.

Eoin Ryan also congratulated the local community and sporting groups and praised the contribution of the Chairperson of the group Charlie Murphy for helping to bring the project to fruition.

The Stadium development cost in excess of €6.5m. The Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, under its Sport Capital Grants Scheme, Dublin City Council (DCC) and the DDDA provided the funding for the project. The lands are publicly owned and managed by DCC and the facilities will be managed directly by the City Council. The new facility is aimed primarily at the youth of Ringsend, Irishtown, Sandymount, Pearse Street and the surrounding areas. The local soccer clubs and schools will use it, as will community games. Crusaders AC will also be based there. It is also available to the general public and will operate on pay and play basis.

The original Irishtown Stadium at this location was the home of Shelbourne FC in the late 1940s and 1950s. It had a cinder athletic track around it and such notables as Olympic champion Ronnie Delaney and high-jumper Brendan O’Reilly trained frequently there in preparation for their Olympic exploits.

In a message to all involved, Ronnie Delaney the 1500 metres Irish Olympic Champion in 1956 said “I competed in Irishtown Stadium in 1954, setting an Irish record in 800yards and that early success helped me towards my Olympic goals.” He congratulated DCC, the local community and clubs and all those involved in this great sporting initiative for the city.

The development of the new athletics track, soccer pitches and sporting pavilion at Irishtown will help countless young people and hopefully be an inspiration for future generations to come.

Above: TD Eoin Ryan pictured at the opening of Irishtown Stadium with some enthusiastic patrons.