COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 12, 2015

MOTION NO.3

MOTION: Councillor E. O'Brien

That this County Council, having regard to various sporting events which may take place in the broader Dublin area in the coming years, take steps to maximise the potential to generate tourism in this County through engagement with the various sporting organisations involved. 

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council has close working relationships with many of the National Governing Bodies of sport, for example, the Football Association of Ireland, Cricket Ireland, Leinster Rugby, Irish Rugby Football Union, Dublin Gaelic Athletic Association and Cycling Ireland, with whom we work closely to promote and develop Sport and sporting events in our County. 

Tallaght Stadium has hosted a number of national and international events over the last number of years some of which include the Euronations Archery Tournament, Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland St Patricks Paralympic Cup, The Shamrock Bowl and a host of local, national, European and international fixtures, the most recent of which was the Rugby League Ireland International series of matches. The Irish Women's Soccer Team play all home games in our Tallaght stadium, also the Leinster Schools Rugby, Junior & Senior Cups have been played. Earlier this year the Leinster Rugby Team played one of their pre season friendly matches in out stadium. As part of the bidding process to host the European Championships in 2020, we have offered Tallaght Stadium as one of the base facilities which will require the use of the stadium to be reserved for that purpose for the month of June, 2020.

In the broader national context many visiting teams to Dublin Area utilise facilities within South Dublin County e.g. GAA teams using Round Towers club to train in similar conditions to that of competition standard. South Dublin is also the home of The National Basketball Arena which is another fantastic facility used to host high level competitions and to foster grass routes participation activity.

In the local context many sporting events were organised for the "The Gathering" throughout South Dublin while the many golf and pitch and putt facilities have hosted many large scale events of their own. The hotel infrastructure in South Dublin has also been used for many sports related events including broader activities such as the Irish Dancing World Championships in Citywest Convention Centre.

As other sports related opportunities arise, the Members can be assured that each will be evaluated and every effort made to maximise the benefits to this County.

In relation to promoting tourism in the County across the broader spectrum of activity the recently convened Tourism Working Group has commissioned a County Tourism Strategy which will further explore opportunities in this area. The Strategy will be developed and delivered in conjunction with the Working Group and the Economic Development SPC.