Bohs win big with Dalymount redevelopment

Dublin City Council has given the green light to the redevelopment of Dalymount Park. 

The most recent meeting of Dublin City Council signed off on part 8 planning permission for the redevelopment project, with funding now the last issue to clear.

Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne said that he expects Bohemians to make a “strong case” for project funding, which is expected to cost just below €50 million.

It is expected that Bohs will apply for Government’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) in a bid to cover costs.

The planning permission application for the revamped Dalymount Park was lodged last October, and was subsequently approved by Dublin City Council at this month’s meeting.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste said “the redevelopment of this iconic stadium will provide a modern municipal facility that will not just be of benefit to Bohemian FC but also the wider Dublin Community.”

He said the planning permission being granted was a “major milestone in the project” and thanked the ongoing hard work and commitment from both the City Council staff and the Design Team tasked with delivering the project.

The Lord Mayor said that consultation with the relevant stakeholders such as the FAI, Bohemian FC and the wider North Dublin Community will continue. 

Under the new plans, Dalymount Park will see its capacity increase to roughly 8,034 seats, add new stands on the east and west sides of the stadium and create standing for nearly 1800 people. 

The revamped Dalymount Park would also see a new sand-based grass pitch installed. 

In addition to the work on the stadium, a new public throughfare that connects North Circular Road and Connaught Street are part of the plans, which various restaurants and a new public plaza included in the plans.

A two-storey community facility and community gym are also included in the designs, with the aim of benefiting local residents. 

The first phase of enabling works, which includes the demolition of the Connaught Street Stand, have been completed.

Should the project not run into any delays and funding is secured, it is hoped the project could be in place for the start of the 2027 season.

Daniel Lambert, Chief Operating Officer of Bohemian FC commented, “Bohemian FC is delighted to mark this hugely significant day. We have engaged extensively with DCC since their acquisition of the stadium in 2015 and thank them for their considerable efforts to get us to this point.”

“We would also like to put on record our gratitude to various ministers for their engagement with the club over the years, in particular the strong support of Minister Paschal Donohoe, and also the cross-party support and engagement of many local TDs and councillors throughout the process.”

“With the penultimate step now complete, we call on Government to ensure that the appropriate funding mechanism is in place to enable progression to construction phase without any delay.”

Lambert noted “as we have seen across capital projects, with levels of inflation, any delays to the process can cause significant added costs to the exchequer.”

He said that the project has “unanimous public and political support; what we need now is for Government to ensure funding is forthcoming so that we can have a community stadium to be proud of at the Home of Irish Football.”

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe is an avowed Bohs fan, with Dalymount Park serving as part of his constituency in Dublin Central.

In 2021, after €1 million in funding was granted to redevelop Dalymount Park, Donohoe said at the time “this is really important not just for Bohs, not only for soccer but for the continued regeneration of Phibsborough.”

Local Labour Senator Marie Sherlock said that “all eyes are on Government now to stump their share of the funding to ensure the project can proceed without delay”

Sherlock welcomed the development, saying it has the potential to be “the jewel in the crown for the Northside.”

Calling the project a “big win” for Phibsborough, Sherlock said “this will be vital resource for the vibrant and very diverse local community which currently has no community hall in the area.”

Jonathan Hill, FAI Chief Executive said “this is great news and we thank and congratulate both Dublin City Council and Bohemian FC for all they have done to get us to this point.”

Political football aside, Bohs have enjoyed a massive surge in local support with games frequently selling out at Dalymount Park.

November’s FAI Cup final, which saw Bohs lose 3-1 to Saint Patrick’s Athletic, broke the record for the highest attendance at a club football match in Ireland since 1945.

43,881 fans saw the Phibsborough and Inchicore sides go head-to-head, while attendance across all League of Ireland games jumped 20% for the 2023 season compared to the previous season.

Bohs recorded a gigantic 32% rise in attendance in 2023 compared to 2022, and the public interest in the club is best represented by the club’s Christmas fundraiser raising €84,140 for gifts for children who spent Christmas in Direct Provision.