Irishtown stadium opens following facelift

A €6.5 million stadium that has a floodlit athletics track and all-weather football pitches has been opened in Dublin.

A €6.5 million stadium that has a floodlit athletics track and all-weather football pitches has been opened in Dublin.

The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Mr O'Donoghue cut the ribbon of the redeveloped Irishtown Stadium by Ringsend park this afternoon.

The centerpiece, a 400-metre athletics track, has been built to International Athletics Association standards and surrounds a football pitch and a full range of field sport facilities.

There are five floodlit, all-weather, five-a-side football pitches and a pavilion, which includes changing rooms, gymnasium, aerobics studio and meeting rooms. Events on the field can also be viewed from the building.

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The stadium is home to one of Ireland's most famous athletic clubs, Crusaders, whose past members include Olympic gold medalist, Ronnie Delany. The old stadium also hosted current National League champions Shelbourne.

Mr Delaney said today: "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."

The lands are publicly owned and the facility will be managed by Dublin City Council and open to the public. The development was funded by the city council along with Dublin Docklands Development Authority and the National Lottery.