Cricket Ireland has announced that final planning permission has been granted for the development of the first phase of the National Cricket Centre on the Sport Ireland Campus.

The approval is a major next step in the project and will allow work to commence on the development of the main field of play, 4,240 spectator seats, the high-performance cricket centre and player and match official building plus additional supporting infrastructure and parking facilities.

Brian MacNeice, Chair of Cricket Ireland, said:

“We are delighted that planning permission has been granted.

The stadium and training facility is crucial to the long-term success and sustainability of Irish cricket and is a key element of our strategy for the future. This project, along with other investment in our sporting infrastructure, will represent a game changer for cricket in Ireland.

“As a piece of national infrastructure alone, the National Cricket Centre is a very positive addition to our national sporting landscape – but through its use and hosting of top international cricket including the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in 2030, the facility becomes a place of community engagement and participation, social connection and revenue to the wider economy.

“The Board of Cricket Ireland are extremely grateful for the continued support from the Government, Minister O’Donovan, Minister McConalogue, and other political stakeholders that have provided support to this project from day one. We are also hugely appreciative of the hard work Sport Ireland has done to maintain momentum on the project leading to today’s announcement. John Foley, Una May, Paul McDermott, Tony Lawless and the wider team at Sport Ireland have provided outstanding backing to cricket as a sport.

“Our ambition is to become a major sport in Ireland and a major nation in cricket – this project will help us achieve that in coming years and we look forward to the day we can open the gates and invite everyone in to enjoy international cricket at its best at our new National Cricket Stadium.”

The site is approximately 30 hectares, located in the eastern part of the Sport Ireland campus at Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The broader project will be split over two phases with this initial phase delivering the field of play and associated infrastructure.