Triathlon Ireland has officially launched a new National Triathlon Centre at the University of Limerick.
This is a landmark development for the sport in Ireland and reflects the organisation’s commitment to fostering high performance and community growth in triathlon.
The National Triathlon Centre benefits from the exceptional sports infrastructure at UL, including its Olympic-sized swimming pool, high-performance athletics track, and expansive campus grounds ideal for swimming, running, and cycling training. These facilities, combined with UL’s status as Ireland’s sporting campus, make it an inspiring base for the next generation of triathletes.
It represents a vision for Irish triathlon that blends excellence on the field of play with a focus on athlete education and personal development.
The sporting campus was a training ground for Irish triathlete Carolyn Hayes, who competed in the Olympic triathlon event, representing Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
History
Former sports scholar and triathlete Con Doherty made history in 2012 as the first Irishman to win a medal at the Junior Triathlon World Championships.
“The National Triathlon Centre is a true home for triathlon in Ireland,” said Triathlon Ireland CEO Darren Coomes.
“This is a game-changer for our sport. Having a dedicated, fully staffed, student-athlete-focused centre will drive the development of future Irish triathletes on both national and international stages.”
“I would like to thank in particular the Performance Team at Sport Ireland led by Paul McDermott and Niamh O’Sullivan for their ongoing guidance and support of our performance programme, this has been invaluable.”
“We are deeply grateful to the team at UL for their warm welcome and steadfast support, which has been as valuable as the world-class facilities themselves.”
Determination
“I’d like to give a special mention to Dr. Lynne Algar, who sadly passed away this year. Lynne, an alumni of UL, was instrumental in building the original partnership between Triathlon Ireland and UL. Her vision, energy, and determination laid the foundation for this incredible project.”
“The launch of the National Triathlon Centre at UL underscores our commitment to developing high-performance sports facilities and partnerships that benefit both our university and the broader athletic community in Ireland,” added University of Limerick’s Acting President Professor Shane Kilcommins.
“This centre will not only enhance our standing in sports academia but also provide our student athletes with the resources they need to excel. As Ireland’s sporting campus, we are proud to be at the forefront of nurturing Ireland’s future sporting talent.”
The new centre will serve as a hub for elite and student-athletes, including those training and studying at UL, such as Junior Athlete of the Year and UL student triathlete, Mathys Bouquet.
“Having the National Triathlon Centre here at UL, where I’m studying, means so much to me,” she said.
Advance
“Every day, I get to wake up and train with some of the top triathletes in Ireland, supported by the best coaches in the country. This is going to significantly advance the sport of triathlon in Ireland, not just for me but for the next generation of athletes as well.”
The opening also signifies an exciting opportunity for broader collaboration in the sport, with plans to host national squad training days, engage with international federations, and explore hosting national and international competitions in 2025 and beyond.
The National Triathlon Centre aligns with UL’s ongoing investment in sports innovation and its mission to be a leading hub for elite sports training in Ireland.
The National Triathlon Centre at UL is more than a physical space; it represents a bold commitment to Ireland’s athletes, providing them with the tools to succeed and elevating the sport of triathlon to new heights. Together, UL and Triathlon Ireland are building a legacy that will benefit the triathlon community for years to come.
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