Ireland's Padel Boom: Courts, investments and plans to bring the sport to every town

Padel100 now has 24 clubs and that would not have been possible without the company’s inclusion in the Government’s employment and investment incentive (EII) scheme.

Padel, a four-person racquet sport played on smaller courts and indoors, is being embraced by Ireland.

Padel is the natural progression from saunas, golf simulators, and Pilates workouts for a population that values holistic fitness and has the money to spend.

Padel courts are quickly opening across Ireland.

The two facilities closest to Cork City — The Hive on Monahan Rd, and Padel Tennis Ireland in Carrigtwohill — require booking for peak hours almost a week in advance, despite the clubs boasting five and eight courts respectively.

The Padel Federation of Ireland reports more than 50 courts operating across the country, with a wave of clubs having opened through 2025 and 2026.

Just last month, Cork City Council approved planning permission for a padel facility in Douglas, with the proposal marking a €2m investment by developer Denis Murphy.

The Padel Club Cork, seeking to benefit from the sport’s position as the fastest-growing in Ireland, will have six courts in a purpose-built facility spanning more than 2,000sq m at St Patrick’s Woollen Mills.

From Youghal to Charleville, facilities are also popping up across towns and villages, as well as in secondary schools that allow both student and public access at varying times.

Padel is a major economic opportunity, driven by strong demand and generous government schemes that promote investment in the key companies behind the sport’s growth.

“As a long-time padel player myself, I’ve always been interested in building a business,” says Michael Mulcahy, the co-founder of Padel100, the largest operator of the sport in Ireland.

Mr Mulcahy established the company alongside co-founders, Ben Keohane and Ryan Hennessey, and counts former Munster and Ireland rugby player Frankie Sheahan as an investor.

The company’s name reflects its mission to have opened 100 padel clubs in Ireland by the end of 2027, including 230 courts.

Around one quarter of those clubs have already been delivered in Cork, Kerry, Laois, Tipperary, and Dublin.

'Padel is expensive'

As Cork-based Mr Mulcahy explains, Padel100 is following the Ryanair model, emphasising accessibility and affordability across towns and villages outside built-up urban areas.

“Right now, padel is expensive,” says Mr Mulcahy.

“Some clubs are charging up to €85 in total for a group of four people to play for one hour.”

“We will be charging €30 for an hour which, divided by four people, comes in at just €7.50. We want people, especially young people, to be playing. We don’t want anybody priced out.”

Prices will need to come down to ensure the sport grows, he says.

“The industry needs to look at itself,” Mr Mulcahy says.

“We cannot price ourselves out, because if things go wrong, they will have no one to blame but themselves. If the only way to make money is by charging exorbitant rates, competitors will be able to undercut their prices.”

Padel 100 taking Ireland by storm: Michael Mulcahy, Padel 100 non-executive chairman and investor, Ben Keohane, co-founder and CEO, Ryan Hennessy, co-founder and head of partnerships, and Frankie Sheahan, investor.

Padel100 now has 24 clubs and that would not have been possible without the company’s inclusion in the Government’s employment and investment incentive (EII) scheme.

The scheme offers up to 50% income tax relief to individuals investing in qualifying SMEs, encouraging private investment in growing businesses. The scheme has already raised €3.5m for Padel100.

Mr Mulcahy says: “This scheme has been fantastic for us. Under it, companies can raise a maximum of €25m, so we plan to continue doing it for as long as we can.”

While other padel companies have gone down the fund route, with Quintas Capital investing more than €2m in to The Hive, Padel100 has opted for an independent approach.

Mr Mulcahy says: “We’re doing this in-house, as it makes the most sense for us. It’s a resource that we want to get the full value from.”

He also anticipates a growing workforce at Padel100, which is targeting more than 230 employees once all clubs are operational — including managers and deputy managers for each facility.

He says: “ We want to compete inter-county, just like the GAA. We want to cultivate and promote young talent. Padel will be an Olympic sport by 2034. Those games should have an Irish team competing.

“We have people of all ages, both men and women, playing padel on our courts, which we will continue to increase until the end of next year.

“We are extremely proud now of the sport and what we have achieved, but we will be even prouder at the end of 2027.”