9. Ireland

Sport in Ireland is organized hierarchically with top-down (or central) policy development, dissemination, and oversight. As the majority of sports in Ireland are played on an amateur basis (rugby union and golf being exceptions), sport is organized around a complex federated model of not-for-profit organizations to deliver government sports policy objectives. The implementation of sport policy is the responsibility of each Sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs), which is assisted in its efforts by the Irish Sports Council (ISC) and other state agencies and organizations. The main mechanism used by the Irish government to shape sport policy direction and implementation is funding in sport, with regular reviews undertaken to ascertain the outcomes and value from government investment in sport.

While the focus of this chapter is the Republic of Ireland, it is important to note that most Irish Sports NGBs operate on an All-Ireland basis. The sporting infrastructure in Ireland has improved over the past 10 years; however, further enhancements are needed if government targets in elite sport and healthy pursuits are to be attained. Drawing on secondary source materials, evidence points to increased sports participation among Irish people; greater engagement in some sports activities by way of volunteering and through other initiatives such as Women in Sport and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs).