The Ice Skating Association of Ireland (ISAI) confirms its full endorsement of the proposed Olympic-standard ice facility at Cherrywood, Co. Dublin, being developed by Prime Arena Holdings. The project represents a necessary opportunity to address Ireland’s long-standing deficit in permanent, high-quality ice infrastructure and to deliver a national multisport facility aligned with Government objectives across sport, health, tourism and regional development.
For many years, the Ice Skating Association of Ireland has sought permanent Olympic-standard ice facilities for skaters and athletes in Ireland. Despite consistent international participation and explosive grassroots demand, Irish skaters have been required to accept a start-stop approach to their physical activity or train and compete abroad due to the absence of suitable domestic infrastructure. It is an embarrassment to Ireland that the Irish National Championships have to be held outside of the island of Ireland.
The Cherrywood proposal directly addresses this gap by delivering:
● Olympic-standard ice provision capable of supporting elite performance, international competition and athlete development;
● Dedicated training capacity for figure skating, speed skating and short track disciplines;
● A permanent national base for coaching, officiating, talent pathways and programme development.
The ISAI believes the scale, quality and configuration of the Cherrywood facility are essential to ensuring Ireland can sustainably support ice skating and winter sports over the long term.
The ISAI confirms that the project aligns strongly with national and regional policy priorities, including, but not limited to:
● National Sports Policy, by expanding access to high-quality indoor sporting infrastructure;
● High Performance Sport objectives, by enabling Irish athletes to train and prepare at home rather than overseas; develop grassroots participation with multiple diverse groups
● Health and wellbeing goals, through year-round, inclusive access to indoor sport for communities, retain women in sport, particularly teenagers, encourage physical activity at all ages
● Regional and urban development strategies, supporting the planned growth of Cherrywood as a Strategic Development Zone;
● Tourism and international engagement, through the ability to host international championships, competitions, conferences and training workshops and camps.
The ISAI further recognises that facilities of this scale and complexity are delivered internationally through public-private partnership models, combining State investment with private capital, delivery expertise and operational sustainability. This reflects established global best practice in the delivery of national sports and event infrastructure.
Statement from Karen O’Sullivan, CEO, Ice Skating Association of Ireland
“This project represents a transformational step for ice skating and winter sports in Ireland. For the first time, Irish athletes would have access to a permanent, Olympic-standard home facility in Ireland. The Cherrywood development directly addresses a long-standing infrastructure gap and aligns strongly with Government objectives around sport, health, regional development and international engagement. We fully support the project and welcome the proposed public-private partnership approach as the appropriate and proven model to deliver a lasting national legacy for Irish sport.”
The ISAI strongly supports the proposed Cherrywood ice facility and views it as a critical national sports infrastructure. The ISAI encourages continued constructive engagement between Government and Prime Arena Holdings to progress the project and realise its full sporting, social and economic benefits for Ireland.
