Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 24 Jan
CONNACHT GAA’s Air Dome was destroyed by high speed winds this morning as the destructive Storm Éowyn passed over Mayo, members have confirmed.
The €3.1 million facility officially opened near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo in January 2022, and has hosted GAA games at inter-county, schools, club and colleges level. The site is used extensively by teams around Connacht.
“The campus is destroyed, it will have to be entirely replaced or rebuilt,” Connacht GAA Secretary John Prenty told The Journal.
“It will need a full new campus now”, Prenty added.
Connacht GAA confirmed that there were no members of staff on site at the time, and no injuries were reported when the dome came down.
Connacht GAA members had checked the site at 2:30am this morning ahead of Storm Éowyn, but Prenty explained that the damage was “unavoidable”.
“We did our best to get out and check it, but somewhere between half 3 and half 4 this morning the site came down,” Prenty said.
He described how the site was one of “the most talked-about GAA facilities” in Ireland, with teams travelling from across the country to play in it.
The first of its kind in Ireland, the site was the largest indoor sports air dome in the world at the time of its opening, measuring 150 metres long and 100 metres wide.
The construction phase got underway in late 2019, although the site was forcibly shutdown just a few months later, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Due to delays in construction, the site opened two years later in 2021.
“It was a one-of-a-kind site, a lot of training, matches and events will have to be cancelled until we get back up and running again,” Prenty said.
Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly said in a statement that that he had contacted the Vice-President of the European Commission to see if “emergency aid” can be provided “to help rebuild” the air dome.
Liam Grant, an ultimate frisbee player who was set to host the National Frisbee Championship in the air dome this weekend, said the destruction was “heartbreaking” for the “incredible” staff and wider community.
The Frisbee Championship which was due to start there tomorrow has been cancelled.
“It was great for us and other sports to have a site to use when it’s wet and windy out, which is often the case in Ireland,” Grant said.
Grant explained how a number of teams had flown in from the UK, France, Germany and Italy for the ultimate frisbee tournament, adding that the nearby town of Knock had been “booked out”.
“It’s upsetting for all the players, but it’s heartbreaking for John (Prenty) and the other staff, who worked so hard for the air dome – to get the facility to where it is was such an achievement,” Grant said.
Huge damage at @LongfordTownFC pic.twitter.com/4o9rIbDDTX
— Ciaran Mullooly MEP (@ciaranmullooly) January 24, 2025
Longford Town FC’s stadium has been severely damaged in the storm.
Independent Ireland MEP for Midlands North West Ciaran Mullooly has shared images of the damage online and has asked the EU to consider releasing emergency aid for the region to assist with repairs at Connacht GAA and Bishopsgate Stadium.
The back wall of one stand at the Bishopsgate Stadium in Longford has been damaged, according to the images.
Other images posted online appear to show that a larger, sheltered stand appears to be in tact. The First Division League Of Ireland team are due to face Drogheda United in Ratoath, Co Meath tomorrow night.
Elsewhere in Co Mayo this morning, a number of roads, buildings and sports facilities were affected by high winds caused by Storm Éowyn.
The stand at McGovern Park in Newport, home of Burrishoole Gaa destroyed due to #StormEowyn pic.twitter.com/0zJXic5Amp
— Mid West Radio (@radiomidwest) January 24, 2025
Mid West Radio reported that Burrishoole GAA club was badly hit by the storm, with one of their stands reportedly being destroyed.
With reporting by Muiris Ó Cearbhaill
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Pretty much a given considering we are in the depths of winter. This weather is normal, predictable and consistent. Have a wonderful day all.
@Marvin Dollery: like that song.. ohh the weather outside is…. weather.
@Marvin Dollery: Given that it is, as you say, predictable isn’t it nice of Met Eireann to share their predictions?
@Marvin Dollery: nobody else is afraid of these stories Marvin, no need to share your coping mechanisms.
@Setanta O’Toole: Except for the kids your lot torment with constant climate change catastrophe dialogue despite it not ever going to happen. Maybe think before posting ridiculous comments.
@Marvin Dollery: never talked to anyone about climate change in my life Marv, you are just projecting.
@Marvin Dollery: mystic Marvin and the old Moore’s almanac all rolled into one
@Pork Hunt: if his climate change predictions are anything like his election ones, we better brace for an imminent apocalypse.
Hopefully in the new year we will be allowed to comment on the stories that matter, like long con vid article.
@087 bed: I know someone who died of long covid recently, so it’s not a con you gimp
@Freda Peeple: Another insightful input from you, always one like you “that “knew a fell”, You need to up you’re game in 25.
@087 bed: Wrong, I was at his funeral at the end of November, 39 from Raheny, Google it you pr7ck
@Basildon Joe: Nope completely healthy so I think you should keep your “feelings” separate to facts. The likes of yourself, and that other illiterate monkey hate facts.
@087 bed: or maybe mention the foreign looking Dublin bus driver who flattened an eight year old lad with a clatter
Happy new year new zealand
What a shock. Winter weather in Ireland. In the winter
@Marc Power: A comment like yours. What a shock.
The UN must begin the legal process to expel the US from it’s structures, and following a vote, to subsequently assemble an international military force to expel the Nazi Zionist regime from Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
@Denis Harkin: Yes very hard to think of a happy new year with the US killing children in Gaza.
Is it still ok to hate the weather?
How many newborns in Ireland tomorrow, will be Irish, I ponder
@Liam Boyne: Considering they’re born in Ireland, I’d say100%….?
@Athena: I think you missed completely what I was implying
And still no response from the journal as to what good are them unlicensed Joe brollies are in their pic accompanying the story to people in the wind n rain apart from been a nuisance to other footpaths users where the spokes can take one’s eye out
I hope to see mass deportation of several families, in the new year
This year has thrown everything at us weather wise, bring it on..
@Jamie Hinch: Weren’t you on here saying the last bout of windy weather was akin to a hurricane? It didn’t lift as much as a lid of a bin here in an area that was said to be most affected.
@Marvin Dollery: Houses lost their roofs in City and surrounds duringthat storm/hurricane. That was not just windy that night FYI.
@Jamie Hinch: It was a windy night, also called a storm. Magnitudes different to a hurricane.
Hopefully, Israel will flatten Palestine for good
Lovely day here in Gstaad.
Should really restrict hospital visits and take measures to reduce spread of flu and Covid.
In 2025, that disgusting Hamas flag, needs to be removed from Leinster House, it’s a pity that this country has absolutely no opposition in the Dail, so depressing
Some ar*ehole of a country weatherwise
@Tim Brennan: and politically
Jeez Kerry and Cork really get the worst weather
Looks like the little coksucker Brenny mobilised all his multiple accounts to thumbs up to generate favour because his bosses said so, what a rag The Journal.ie is, a lefty rag, nobody take it seriously
Will Brenny be bringing out his Michael Collins account tonight lol
have your say