Dalymount Park to be demolished and replaced following €24.7m cash injection

Sarah Slater

Dalymount Park is to be demolished and a whole new stadium and pitch are to be created thanks to a government cash injection of €24.7 million.

The refurbishment, as part of the €173 million large scale sport infrastructure fund, will provide an entirely new UEFA category three stadium and pitch of the Bohemians football club.

The funding announcement is to be made on Monday by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers and Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne.

Last February, Dublin City councillors backed a €40 million redevelopment of the Phibsborough located stadium.

The existing stadium will be “completely demolished” to create a brand-new four-sided enclosed stadium and a re-orientated pitch on the preferred north-south axis.

The works are to demolish the existing stadium and structures on the site and build a new stadium with 6,240 seats and capacity for another 1,794 people standing.

Another €19 million is being allocated to a multi-use sport arena, GAA fields, and a synthetic multi-purpose pitch along with accommodation, changing rooms, and lighting in Cavan, while Sligo Rovers FC are to benefit from €16.4 million to upgrade facilities.

The soccer facility is receiving the largest cash boost out of €173 million in grants to 35 projects across Ireland under the funding announced today.

Cuala GAA and Dalkey United AFC are also to receive funding for a new clubhouse.

The new €7.9 million facility at Hyde Road, Dalkey is being developed in partnership between Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Cuala GAA, and Dalkey United AFC.

It includes a new indoor sports hall, ball wall, gym, fitness studio, changing rooms, office, physio room, storage, lobby, toilets, and other facilities.

Planning permission for the new facility was approved under the Part 8 process in 2021. The clubs have raised matching funding and the project is now ready to proceed.

Fianna Fáil Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown TD Cormac Devlin has welcomed the €4,600,000 allocated in the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Deputy Devlin said the announcement is “fantastic news for Cuala and Dalkey United, the current facilities are over 60 years old, they are dated and inadequate".

He continued: ”This is a massive investment and I want to thank my Fianna Fáil colleague, Minister for Sport, Thomas Byrne TD for securing the funding.

"I am delighted to see it delivered for Cuala and Dalkey United. The clubs cater to almost 4,000 members and this will ensure players, athletes and volunteers have access to the most modern facilities as the clubs expand into the future”.