Construction has officially begun on the new Sport Ireland National Cricket Centre at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown, marking a major step forward for cricket infrastructure in Ireland.
The first phase of the project will deliver the main field of play, 4,240 spectator seats, a high-performance centre, player and match official facilities, as well as supporting infrastructure and parking.
The centre will be developed on a 30-hectare site on the eastern side of the Sport Ireland Campus and forms a key part of the Campus Masterplan Vision.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan, Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers, and Deputy Government Chief Whip Emer Currie joined Sport Ireland and Cricket Ireland yesterday to turn the first sod on the project.
The development comes at an important time for Irish cricket, with Ireland preparing to co-host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2030.
“This facility will serve cricket at every level, from the child picking up a cricket bat for the first time to providing a valuable resource for Ireland’s international teams, both male and female, who will benefit from access to world-class training facilities,” said Minister Patrick O’Donovan.
“Strengthening the infrastructure that supports participation, performance, and good governance is how we build a healthier, more active Ireland. The National Cricket Centre at the Sport Ireland Campus is a clear example of that approach in action.”
The project is one of two major developments now at construction stage on the Sport Ireland Campus, alongside the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre.
Minister McConalogue said the centre would provide a state-of-the-art venue for training, national competition and international fixtures.
“It will give players and coaches the facilities they need to compete and develop at the highest level, and it sends a clear signal to the next generation that their sport is taken seriously,” he said.
Minister Jack Chambers said the new centre would give Irish cricketers “a permanent, world-class home to train and compete in” as preparations continue for the 2030 World Cup.
“It will also help us grow participation in sport for more people, including women and girls, young people, and new communities here in Dublin West and right across our country,” he said.
Deputy Government Chief Whip Emer Currie, representing Tánaiste Simon Harris, said the development was “excellent news for all cricket fans” and would provide a boost to cricket clubs in Dublin West, as well as supporting Ireland’s international ambitions.
For Sport Ireland, the project is another statement of intent around the long-term development of the Campus as a national hub for participation, performance and major events.
“Ireland has produced world-class athletes across many sports. This centre gives cricket the infrastructure to match that ambition,” said John Foley, Chairperson of Sport Ireland.
“From training environments to competition-ready facilities, it raises the bar for what our high-performance programme can deliver. It also puts Ireland in a stronger position to attract and host major international events.”
Dr Úna May, CEO of Sport Ireland, said the National Cricket Centre would be a practical expression of the organisation’s commitment to widening access to sport.
“Cricket is one of Ireland’s most genuinely diverse sports, and this centre reflects that,” she said.
“It will be a place where people from all backgrounds feel welcome, not just as spectators, but as players and participants. Expanding access to quality facilities is central to our vision of an active Ireland where everyone can experience the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity.”
For Cricket Ireland, the project represents the long-awaited creation of a permanent national home for the sport.
“Today marks the start of a new journey for Irish cricket,” said Sarah Keane, CEO of Cricket Ireland.
“Turning this first sod on the National Cricket Centre is a true game-changer. This facility will revolutionise how Cricket Ireland operates at every level, and in turn, it will impact all of Irish cricket, from international to grassroots.”
Keane said cricket’s global scale, and its growing footprint in Ireland, made infrastructure a central part of the sport’s future development.
“Cricket is the world’s second-largest sport, and there is so much potential for growth of the game here in Ireland, but infrastructure is key to this,” she said.
“This facility, and the support of the Government, the Department and Sport Ireland are fundamental to the development and future of Irish cricket. We sincerely thank Minister O’Donovan, Minister McConalogue, Minister Chambers, the Irish Government and Sport Ireland for their commitment and support of the National Cricket Centre, which also will enable us to co-host the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2030 and many other events and activities.”
Tony Lawless, Sport Ireland Development Director, said the centre would have a lasting impact on the Campus and on Irish cricket.
“This is exactly the kind of investment that transforms what’s possible – for athletes, for coaches, and for the communities who use these facilities every day,” he said.
“We’re building something that will last.”
The construction phase now begins on a facility that has long been identified as critical to cricket’s next stage of growth in Ireland.
With international teams now regularly competing on the global stage, a growing domestic player base, and the 2030 World Cup on the horizon, the National Cricket Centre will provide the sport with a home that reflects both where it has come from and where it now wants to go.
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