Connacht GAA Air Dome

Connacht GAA Air Dome

University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome
Location	Bekan, County Mayo, Ireland
Owner	Connacht GAA
Capacity	2000+ (GAA games) 10,000-20,000 (concerts/events) [1]
Construction
Opened	2021
Construction cost	€3.1 million

The University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome was an air-supported Gaelic games venue located at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan, County Mayo, Ireland. It was the largest facility of its type in the world.[2]

The Air Dome hosted games at a variety of levels, including senior intercounty matches. Most notably, it was the primary venue for the FBD Insurance League between 2022 and 2024, until the competition was put on hiatus.[3][4]

It was also capable of holding conferences and concerts.[5]

History

Connacht GAA began developing a Centre of Excellence at the site in 2007[6] and the site was officially opened in December 2012.[7] In 2018, Connacht GAA was a successful applicant to the Irish Government's Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and Minister Michael Ring awarded €2.1 million towards the construction of the dome, which began in October 2019.[8] Additional funding for the project, which cost €3.1 million was provided by the GAA Central Council[9] and Connacht GAA.

The Air Dome was officially opened by former GAA President Larry McCarthy in December 2021.[10]

The Air Dome was severely damaged, to the extent of being described as destroyed, in January 2025 by winds from Storm Éowyn.[11]

Matches

The first inter-county game held at the venue was the opening round fixture of the 2022 FBD League between Leitrim and Sligo on 3 January 2022, which Sligo won by 1–21 to 1–17.[12]

References

1. "University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome". Connacht GAA. Retrieved 10 January 2025. On-Site University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome Capacity: 2,000+ for games 10,000-20,000 (seated and standing) for concerts/events
2. Ó Maicín, Aonghus. "Inside the world's largest sports air dome just outside Knock". Irish Times.
3. "Air Dome to host Connacht pre-season competitions". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
4. "Scrapping pre-season competitions is a foolish move". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
5. "University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome". ConnachtGAA.ie. Retrieved 10 January 2025. ...transform into a venue for exhibitions, concerts and conferences.
6. "Details of Connacht Centre of Excellence outlined". Irish Independent. 27 December 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
7. "Connacht Air Dome". Electric Skyline. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
8. "University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome". Connacht GAA. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
9. "Connacht Air Dome a sanctuary and a beacon for the GAA". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
10. "Connacht GAA and NUI Galway Announce Partnership Agreement". Connacht GAA. Retrieved 10 January 2025. The NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome will be officially opened on Sunday. December 12th 2021 by Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy.
11. "'We'll rise again' - Connacht GAA Air Dome destroyed during Storm Éowyn". RTÉ News. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
12. "Connacht Air Dome hosts first-ever indoor inter-county GAA game". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 10 January 2025.