Dublin plans ‘Home of Irish Winter Sports’

Article posted by Coliseum, May 12^th, 2025

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New images have been released showcasing designs for a proposed first-of-its-kind Winter sports and entertainment arena in Dublin (Ireland).

‘Irish Independent’ stated that the proposed €190m development is planned for a site in Cherrywood, South Dublin (Ireland) and would mark a major milestone for Irish Winter sports.

Provisionally named the Dublin Arena it will feature two Olympic-sized ice rinks, a 5,000-seat/ 8,000-standing capacity for the events and a 1,500-capacity conference space.

‘Irish Independent’ further stated that it is set to become the ‘Home of Irish Winter Sports’ providing Ireland’s first permanent ice rinks to serve as training facilities for the athletes of all levels, from the elite competitors to the casual participants.

The venue will also host Ireland’s first professional ice hockey franchise which is being backed by the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (the local authority of the County of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Ireland).

The two rinks will allow the establishment of a professional team while one rink will be publicly available year-round supporting the new amateur clubs, the collegiate ice hockey and a wide range of inclusive, ice-based sports for athletes of all abilities.

The project developers are currently engaging with the Olympic Federation of Ireland (the National Olympic Committee for Ireland), Paralympics Ireland and the Special Olympics Ireland to ensure inclusive access to the facility.

The Prime Arena Holdings, the company behind the project, aims to submit a planning application by September.

Dublin (Ireland)-based the Prime Arena Holdings is a visionary team committed to transforming Ireland’s sports and entertainment landscape bringing a world-class, multipurpose venue for sports, culture and major events.

Designed by the DMOD Architects and supported by a team of consultants the arena is intended to bring “social, economic and cultural benefits” to the area.

The DMOD Architects is a Dublin (Ireland)-based architecture firm established in 1989 offering a range of architectural services including design, master planning and interior design.

According to the Prime Arena Holdings the arena will offer dramatic views of the nearby Wicklow Mountains (Mountain chain in the Republic of Ireland) and host far more than just sporting events.

The plans include concerts, international exhibitions and corporate functions aiming to make the arena a vibrant new destination for Dublin.

It is expected that the arena will create approximately 80 full-time jobs and provide part-time employment for over 1,600 people once operational.

In addition, the construction and planning phases are forecast to support around 400 direct jobs offering a further boost to the local economy.

Shared Dermot Rigley, head honcho, Prime Arena Holdings, “Since 2021 we’ve been working quietly but relentlessly with an incredible team to bring this vision to life – and today, we’re proud to finally share it with the Irish public. With the support of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Hines (real estate company in Ireland) we’re building more than an arena – we’re creating a national landmark that will open up Winter sports to every corner of the Irish society, empower our athletes and give Ireland the platform it deserves to host world-class events.”

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