Minister of State Joe O’Brien launches new national sports amenity database ‘Get Ireland Active’

• Get Ireland Active is Ireland’s most comprehensive activity, sport and recreation website.

• The database is supported by Minister O’Brien through the Dormant Accounts Fund.

• Get Ireland Active is the first project of its kind in Ireland including every type of activity, recreational, and sporting facility.

The database was formally launched at the Sport Ireland campus yesterday by Ministers of State Joe O’Brien and Thomas Byrne.

Sport Ireland, the authority responsible for the development of sport in Ireland, also  welcomed the launch of ‘Get Ireland Active’, the definitive resource for information, advice, directions, and tips for people of all ages and abilities anywhere in the country to get active and take full advantage of the amenities around them.

Minister Joe O’Brien TD said, “I am delighted to support this valuable initiative through my Dormant Accounts Fund.  Get Ireland Active will be a key tool for people to access information on recreation amenities in a clear, accessible way. The interactive map is very accessible and highlights very clearly what is available nationally but more importantly what is in your locality. I think it will also help planners to see where there are deficits in sports infrastructure and where resources can be pooled’.

‘I think it will also help people from new communities, who may not have all the local connections and knowledge that other do, to find out what is available to them locally’

‘I strongly encourage everyone to check out the database and map and I think you will learn a little bit more about what is available in your area’

The first project of its kind in Ireland, ‘Get Ireland Active’ brings together the collective resources of the Government of Ireland, Sport Ireland, local authorities, state agencies, local sports partnerships, and Irish sport’s national governing bodies to capture all sports facilities and places for people to be active in Ireland in one free, convenient, and comprehensive website, with an app due to launch in 2024.

There are already well over 10,000 opportunities to be active in the database, including 6,000 clubs, 4,000 locations and 1,000 trails. Data has come from over 60 authoritative sources, with more coming on board every day.

Get Ireland Active connects everyone who wants to move and be active with every resource around that can help them begin, improve, or supercharge their activity journey. The database includes up-to-date, accurate information on opportunities to be active in Ireland. These include Sports and recreation facilities; public places such as playgrounds; and trails for walking, running, and biking. Each search can be filtered to check accessibility as well as amenities such as parking and changing facilities.

Get Ireland Active will support greater access and usage of facilities and amenities in the near term. The database will also help the Government of Ireland, Sport Ireland, Local Authorities and National Governing Bodies of Sport improve how sports and recreational facilities and amenities are planned and managed. It will give comprehensive data and insights that will help with investment and planning decisions to meet the future needs of active participants at all levels.

Get Ireland Active is at the beginning of its journey and it will continually develop as more partners add details of their facilities to the database.

Chairperson of Sport Ireland, John Foley, added “On behalf of the board of Sport Ireland, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the development of the Get Ireland Active website. The establishment of a comprehensive National Database of Sport and Recreation Facilities, which catalogues amenities across the country, is a critical step towards achieving the objectives outlined in the National Sports Policy. The project has required detailed collaboration between many stakeholders including the Government, Local Authorities and the National Governing Bodies of sport. This database will serve as a valuable resource for anyone interested in leading a healthy and active lifestyle.”

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, Dr Úna May encouraged the Irish public to engage with the database: “The launch of Get Ireland Active is the culmination of an enormous amount of work from the sports sector, Government, and local authorities. We believe there’s something in it for everyone and ask that people take the time to use this resource to explore all the ways they can get active in their local area. Hopefully, many people will find something new to try that will ignite a lifelong passion for being active.”