Ireland’s First Beach Sport Centre Opens at Sport Ireland Campus

Olympic Handball Ireland is thrilled to celebrate the official opening of Ireland’s first-ever Beach Sport Centre, located at the heart of the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown. This state-of-the-art facility marks a pivotal moment in the development of beach sports nationwide and a significant leap forward for the growth of beach handball in Ireland.

The new Beach Sport Centre features three high-quality sand courts, offering a versatile and weather-resistant space for beach handball, beach soccer, volleyball, tag rugby, and various racquet sports. Though situated 20km from the Irish coast, the venue ensures year-round access to world-class sand-based training and competition.

OHI Operations Director Joao Ferreira, who attended the launch event, highlighted the importance of this development for Olympic handball:

“This new centre provides the infrastructure we need to grow the sport, engage new audiences, and host top-tier competitions right here at home. It’s an exciting step toward embedding Olympic handball into Ireland’s sporting culture.”

The centre forms part of Sport Ireland’s long-term investment in high-performance and community sport. Dr Úna May, CEO of Sport Ireland, officially opened the venue alongside Joao Ferreira and other sport leaders, stating:

“In Ireland we can’t always offer sun, but now we can offer sand and sports all year. This reflects our commitment to inclusive and innovative spaces that serve both elite athletes and the wider community.”

This facility not only supports athlete development and training but also creates new opportunities to introduce handball to more schools, clubs, and casual players—fostering a spirit of inclusion, fun, and international connection that defines OHI’s mission.

For block bookings or more information about the Beach Sport Centre, please contact bookings@sportirelandcampus.ie.