ABOUT DUBLIN ARENA

Dublin Arena, part of the Horse Racing Ireland Masterplan for Leopardstown Racecourse, aims to enhance local sporting and recreational facilities.

Developed on part of the Racecourse car park, the arena will feature two Olympic-sized ice rinks, a 6,000-seat / 8,000-standing capacity for events, and a 1,500-capacity conference space.

A sustainable home for Irish Winter sports, the arena will provide Ireland’s first permanent ice rinks, serving as a training facility for Irish athletes, from the elite to the casual, and home to the country's first professional ice hockey franchise.

Designed by DMOD Architects and supported by a team of experts. The arena will host entertainment events and conferences, bringing significant social, economic, and cultural benefits to the area. Its design, inspired by Leopardstown’s equine heritage, offers dramatic views of the Wicklow Mountains.

ENGAGING WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Dublin Arena will deliver substantial economic, societal and health benefits to the local community:

    • Over 1.021 million annual visitors anticipated, contributing over €140 million to the local economy through year round attractions, countering tourism seasonality. 

    • Dublin Arena will enhance, develop and diversify Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown’s tourism offering, support the development of the night-time economy, reduce coastal area congestion and create a distinguishable tourism brand for the area.

    • Dublin Arena will provide one of the largest gala dinner venues in Ireland, with capacity to deliver 1,500 seated events, significantly enhancing Dublin's attractiveness for international conferences and events.

    • Dublin Arena is expected to create approx 80 full time jobs and significant casual employment

    • The project will be a significant generator of commercial rates supporting the wider development of Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown.

    • Year-round access for all ages and abilities to new sports will promote physical activity and sports participation, especially among women and girls, aligning with local and national sports strategies for high performance sport, active participation, health and wellbeing, and sports infrastructure and facilities development.

    • Aligned to figures globally, 75% of skaters will be under 18 years’ old with the majority being female, opening up new pathways to physical activity for girls and women. 

    • The two rinks will enable a new professional franchise for ice hockey, while the second will be publicly available all year round, enabling the establishment of new amateur clubs and collegiate ice hockey, as well as a range of other inclusive ice-based winter sports for athletes and participants at all levels of ability. 

    • Ongoing engagement with the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympic Ireland, and Special Olympics seeks to ensure inclusive access and an athlete-centric development.

    • With a focus on energy efficiency, waste heat from ice-making will heat over 1,000 local homes, reducing carbon emissions and household costs.

    • The location is optimised for non-car-based transport with excellent accessibility via bus, Luas, and active travel options, while being car and coach access friendly via the M-50.

    • This will become a focal point for the local community, providing opportunities for school and club participation, embracing inclusivity and championing ‘placemaking’ in the locality. 

    • A new ice hockey franchise will enjoy the support of passionate local sports fans 

    • Through predictive modelling and expert design, we will ensure compliance with noise criteria and ensure the arena co-exists successfully with the local environs.

    • Dublin Arena’s vision closely aligns with the Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Development Plan, promoting high-quality sports infrastructure and accessibility.

    • The Arena will complement the established sporting, leisure and recreational facilities at Leopardstown Racecourse 

    • Overall, the arena aims to be a beacon of community engagement, promoting economic growth, health benefits, and sustainability while ensuring minimal environmental impact.