An Taoiseach Opens Sport HQ

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, officially opened the new home for Irish Sport

and Irish Squash on the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 on Wednesday 29th May. As it was also the day the International Olympic Committee shortlisted Squash for possible inclusion in the 2020 Olympics, lets hope it is a good omen.

Situated beside the HQ of the FAI and Institute for Sport, Irish Sport HQ is home to 19 National Governing Bodies (NGB’S) and is the first real home for Irish Sport. The National Aquatic Centre is also on the campus and is 10 years old this year and has been a huge success both as a home for high performance swimming and as a facility for families and the community with over 7 million visitors since it opened for the Special Olympics in 2003.

Leo Varadkar, the minister responsible for sport was also in attendance and spoke of further development that will take place on the 500 arce campus. Training pitches are being developed this year by the GAA, FAI & IRFU. An indoor arena will be the next priority when finances allow, but one thing is certain, the National Sports Campus is the future for Irish Sport, where many developments and facilities will be developed in the years to come.

Pictured is Ed Dunne, President of Irish Squash showing An Taoiseach the Silver medal which Ireland won at the recent European Championships in Amsterdam where Laura Mylotte, Ciara Moloney, Madeline Perry and Aisling Blake and manager Anne Costello, came 2nd in Europe for the second year in a row, a wonderful achievement!

Ed is also pictured with Minister Varadkar who is a regular sportsman himself.