€30m for redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaíomh is money badly spent

The €30m pledged by the Government in support of the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaíomh is money badly spent. To understand why this is the case, take even a cursory look at the recent results of a survey of sports participation in Ireland.

The raw facts of this survey (the Irish Sports Monitor 2015 Mid-Year Report completed for Sport Ireland) reveal as more than a little hollow the depiction of Ireland as a sport-loving nation.

It is true, on one level, there is huge interest in sport. In this respect, the report shows what it calls ‘social participation in sport’ is strong, through club membership, volunteering, and attending sporting events. In passing, it should be noted the Irish are also world-class talents at watching sport on television and superb at downing sport-related pints and buying sporting merchandise.