THE future of equestrian sport in Ireland received a huge boost earlier this month with the official opening of the new National Horse Sport Arena at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown.
Local TD and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, did the honours at the magnificent new arena, which is situated within the Walled Garden of Abbotstown House, a protected structure.
The new centre will provide Ireland’s top equestrian athletes with access to world-class facilities specially developed to meet their needs.
The new arena is the first publicly owned facility of its kind in Ireland and it will be managed by the Operations Company of the National Sports Campus.
The facility will be available on a
‘community commercial’ basis to locals who are aspiring for success in international competition.
“This is the next major milestone in the development of the National Sports Campus,
? said Minister Varadkar.
“The National Horse Sport Arena is the first public facility of its kind in Ireland and will provide world-class facilities for 25 different equestrian sports.
Horse Sport Ireland Chairman, Professor Patrick Wall, said the new National Horse Sport Arena was an exciting development for equestrian sport.
“This new facility will be extremely helpful in providing a world class surface for our top rider and horse partnerships to train on,
? he said.
“Our senior and young riders are on a roll at the moment and the facilities on the campus will help to build on this success and tee us up for medals in the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics in Rio.
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The official opening of the new arena is the latest event in a hectic 12 months at the National Sports Campus. Vital infrastructure works and an access roadway have been completed and sites have been allocated for development by the GAA, FAI, Irish Hockey and the IRFU.
The new National Diving Training Centre has also been completed, along with the National Modern Pentathlon Centre, while works on multi-sport synthetic pitches and a pavilion are near completion.
Earlier this month the campus hosted a
‘meet & greet’ session with All-Ireland Football Champions, Dublin. Before the event got underway the Dubs presided over a cheque presentation when the Swim a Mile with a Smile Charity handed over a cheque to Barretstown & Crumlin Hospital.