Amidst all the reports of damage to infrastructure and property wreaked by the still ongoing Storm Éowyn, the news broken a little over an hour ago by Midwest that Connacht GAA’s Air Dome has been completely destroyed hits home strongly from a GAA perspective.
Connacht GAA CEO John Prenty spoke with RTÉ Radio a short while ago and he confirmed (report here) that the facility is fully insured and will be rebuilt.
It’s easy to forget that, before the Dome was opened back in 2020, John and his colleagues in Connacht GAA took a fair bit of flak about the supposed ‘white elephant’ facility that was being built in Bekan. How wrong such asinine charges proved to be, with the Dome used to host countless matches and training sessions, as well the GAA’s annual Congress.
For a few years it became part of GAA tradition in the west to start the inter-county season in the Dome, with the entire FBD League run off there in the early weeks of January. But for the daft decision taken to chop the pre-season competitions (thus losing a valuable opportunity to road-test the new playing rules), we’d no doubt have all been back in the Dome for the FBD this month too.
Sadly, there’ll be no Dome to go to for the next while. It’s great, though, to hear that Connacht GAA plan to rebuild this vital facility, which at this stage is the envy of every other sporting organisation in the country.
facetheball says:
January 24, 2025 at 1:36 pm
Very sad. On about rebuilding it. How can they be sure it wouldn't happen again ?
Rober says:
January 24, 2025 at 1:49 pm
Agree. With the likelihood of increasing violent storms due to climate change, one would need to weigh up all the options here. I can't believe that it was destroyed, very solid structure. But last night's storm was off the radar.
JP says:
January 24, 2025 at 2:45 pm
It cannot be rebuilt again without some solid guarantees about why it won't happen again for a storm a few % stronger than what just occurred.
The west is best says:
January 24, 2025 at 4:24 pm
It's a terrible shame, but can be rebuilt. It hosts a huge number of school and underage games and is a significant loss to the whole GAA scene.
Doc says:
January 24, 2025 at 4:27 pm
It’s great that it is insured and can be rebuilt. The new structure needs to be able to withstand such storms or they will be back in this position again, possibly without insurance next time.
A big loss to the region as it’s a fantastic facility
Ontheditch says:
January 24, 2025 at 4:59 pm
Insurance is not an issue this time, but is there an insurance company that will take it on again? And insurance will go through the roof, if there is. any company brave enough to put it on its books.
As storms like this are likely to become the norm, maybe improvements in design might save the day. Can the bubbles be deflated in response to weather warning.
Mary Coyne says:
January 24, 2025 at 5:18 pm
John you will do it if anyone can.go for it cousin.
evergreenandred says:
January 24, 2025 at 5:18 pm
Yea - I could`nt but agree with most of the above. You know - once bitten etc. But I happen to
have a soft spot for it. It`s in my wife's `country` ! I do think they should have let the air out. We had
plenty of notice of this event. T`wud only take a day or so to pump it up again. That`s my tuppence worth.
Michael Duffy says:
January 24, 2025 at 6:50 pm
I thought the dome itself was nothing more than an inflated balloon supported by higher air pressure inside generated from air pumps. So surely the rebuild is nothing more than blowing up the balloon again, albeit a very big one. When watched the construction of it the dome was one of last parts to go up
michaelincork says:
January 24, 2025 at 7:10 pm
I have no doubt that the Phoenix will rise again. John P. is a very determined man! As for the team named for tomorrow, I think it seems to be the best available.
Doc says:
January 24, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Where did you see the team for tomorrow? I haven’t seen it anywhere today
GBXI says:
January 24, 2025 at 7:32 pm
I think the forward line is very weak. Surprised not to see Towey. Would love to see McBrien at 3 and John McMonagle and 6. Brickenden has rarely ever performed well.
michaelincork says:
January 24, 2025 at 7:32 pm
Mayo gaa
Willie Joe says:
January 24, 2025 at 7:33 pm
It's on the Mayo GAA website, Doc.
Jr says:
January 24, 2025 at 8:29 pm
JP was thinking way ahead of his time with the Dome.
Hopefully it will be rebuilt.
A huge asset to schools and GAA in general in Connaught.
Oilean acla says:
January 25, 2025 at 9:35 am
Little point in rebuilding it unless it structurally more robust to withstand the challenges of climate change!
I would suggest it might be best to use the money elsewhere in Connaught- grassroots?
Sean Burke says:
January 25, 2025 at 10:16 am
Is there any damage to mchale park stand ?
Dermot Winston says:
January 26, 2025 at 8:38 pm
I hope that it's re installed and I hope they can look after the pitch surface in the mean time. It's probably not suitable for the elements.