Active participation in sport has risen from 34% of the population in 2009 to 46% in 2011.  This is one of the indicators of sports central place in Irish life published in the Sports Monitor Report from the Irish Sports Council.
Attendance at a sporting event has climbed from 17% to 22%; membership of a sports club from 32% to 38% and the proportion of those willing to volunteer in sport from 7% to 15%.
The greatest gains have been among those under 25 and over 55 with less time pressure cited as one of the principal reasons for the greater engagement in sporting activity.
Physical exercise has now replaced swimming as the most popular form of sporting activity with 11% and 10% respectively engaging in them.  Running comes next at 7%, followed by soccer and cycling at 6% and Golf at 5%.  Gaelic Football is played by 4% of males and tennis by 1% of females.
Participation among young men aged 16-19 has soared from 74% to 91% and young women in the same age category from 53% to 63%. 79% of males aged 20-24 are now engaged in sporting activity while the number of young women has almost doubled from 33% to 60%.
From a socio-economic perspective the most active participants are those in the professional and management categories of employment and those with third level income and higher household income.
The report is filled with significant rises that show the central part which sport holds in Irish life.  It is of vital importance to businesses looking to align with areas of consumer or business to business interest.  This is also proven by the expanding membership of the Sport for Business community where we deliver insight into how the two sides can come together in the most effective ways.
The Irish Sports Monitor 2011, can be downloaded from here.
Recent main stories on Sport for Business

Find out more about how Sport for Business can be of benefit to you
Subscribe today for the free Sport for Business daily news digest