Sport Ireland has engaged Esri Ireland to use its digital mapping system to capture over 12,000 recreational locations and facilities across the island of Ireland.
The service will enhance Get Ireland Active, a national digital hub which maps sports and recreation facilities, walking and cycling trails, public parks, and other amenities around the country to promote higher levels of physical activity.
The interactive digital map addresses the need for a single, authoritative source of data about sports facilities in Ireland. It can provide ways for citizens to become more active, support policy decisions, and inform the development of new facilities.
It was soft-launched a year ago when we interviewed Louise Burke of Sport Ireland about its enormous potential.
The service will be useful to individuals, but its greatest potential lies in the impact it can have when adopted and used by local authorities and national governing bodies to plan and plot location data.
Users can collate, verify, analyse, and share data in real-time, including development, planning, and socio-demographic information. This provides actionable insights and allows policymakers in central and local government, sporting bodies, and other stakeholders to analyse gaps in service provision and easily identify development land or other potential areas that might be available to site new facilities.
Sport Ireland conducted audits of all sports facilities in Ireland to create the central data hub, which is flexible and scalable and will continue to be updated as data is made available.
“Esri Ireland’s expertise has been crucial in bringing the Get Ireland Active database to life,” said Sport Ireland CEO Dr Una May.
“Their technology allows us to offer a user-friendly platform with comprehensive information about recreational activities across Ireland.
“Technology is transforming how we approach our everyday lives, and we must use this to our benefit. Our collaboration with Esri Ireland has made this a reality, and we are excited to build upon this work through the continued development of the Get Ireland Active database.”
“The benefits of having an interactive hub which can direct members of the public to their closest sport or recreation facilities are invaluable, especially coming into the winter months,” added Padraig Q.uinn of ESRI Ireland.
“Furthermore, the hub will continue to inform future development of sporting facilities across Ireland and embed a love of sport and the outdoors for both present and future generations. We look forward to continuing to work with Sport Ireland as the hub grows.”
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