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Ministers welcome Official Opening of Laya Arena
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- Minister O’Donovan and Minister McConalogue mark the official opening of the Laya Arena at the Dublin Horse Show
- RDS received €15m in state funding under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (‘LSSIF’)
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, alongside Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, today (5 August) welcomed the Official Opening of the Laya Arena.
Support for the RDS development project, totalling €15m, has been provided by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The LSSIF-backed project includes the demolition of the existing Anglesea Stand and terrace and construction of a new stand. It also comprises the partial removal and replacement of the Grandstand scaffold to allow for the insertion and construction of a single-storey structure to accommodate home and away players' facilities, media, medical and official's facilities, ancillary plant and storage accommodation, a vomitory to access the pitch; and all associated site development works including drainage and other site services.
Speaking recently, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, said:
I am delighted to welcome the official opening of the Laya Arena. The RDS holds a historic place in the heart of Irish sporting and cultural life, and this redevelopment ensures its legacy continues to grow. By providing state-of-the-art facilities for athletes, equestrians, and spectators alike, we are safeguarding the future of one of our most cherished national traditions, the Dublin Horse Show, while supporting Irelands’ high-performance rugby pathways. This project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to regional economic vitality and sporting excellence through targeted infrastructure support.
Minister McConalogue added:
The opening of the new Laya Arena at the RDS marks a magnificent milestone for Irish rugby, equestrianism and the wider sporting community. With €15 million in targeted State funding under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, this funding reflects our Programme for Government commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive sporting ecosystem. This venue, home to Leinster Rugby, will continue to host major international sporting events such as the Dublin Horse Show. By investing in facilities like the Laya Arena, we are supporting athletes, communities and future generations to come.
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF);
The National Sports Policy, published in 2018, provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF).
The cumulative investment over the first two LSSIF rounds (2018 and 2024) stands at €297 million, with funding allocations provided to a total of 68 large-scale projects.
LSSIF Project Brief
- The overall project includes the demolition of the existing Anglesea Stand and terrace and construction of the new stand.
- The new stand has a capacity for c.6,822 persons and associated functions all within an improved campus setting including associated landscaping. It consists of the relocation of players' changing rooms and facilities from the existing Anglesea Stand to the Western Stand.
- The project also comprises the partial removal and replacement of the Grandstand scaffold to allow for the insertion and construction of a single-storey structure (gross floor area 439sq.m) to accommodate home and away players' facilities, media, medical and official's facilities, ancillary plant and storage accommodation, a vomitory to access the pitch; and all associated site development works including drainage and other site services.
- The venue will serve as a multi-purpose destination for sport in Ireland while meeting the needs of Leinster Rugby and the Dublin Horse Show.