National Stadium (Ireland)

The National Stadium (Irish: An Staid Náisiúnta) (often referred to as the National Boxing Stadium or the National Sporting Arena) in Dublin, Ireland, is the only purpose-built boxing stadium in the world. Major General WRE Murphy, Deputy Commissioner of the Garda Síochána (police) proposed building the stadium in early 1935 and started fundraising with his wife Mary Agnes Murphy. Together they raised about 1/3 of the campaign. Built in 1939, the venue hosts over 55 days of boxing and a number of other events each year.

For other uses, see List of national stadiums in Ireland.

National Stadium
Stadium exterior (2010)
National Stadium (Ireland) is located in Dublin
National Stadium (Ireland)
Location within Dublin
General information
TypeStadium
Address145 South Circular Road
Dublin 8
D08 HY40
Ireland
Opening1939
OwnerIABA
Other information
Seating capacity2,000
Website
Venue Website

Venue

The stadium was opened by government minister Frank Aiken in 1939.[1] It is owned by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) and has been used by them for over 60 years as the venue for their national and international contests.[2]

Music

Historically, the stadium was used as a music venue, regularly hosting bands such as Horslips,[3] Genesis, Led Zeppelin,[4] Thin Lizzy,[5]: 306  U2,[6] Van Morrison,[4] The Smiths, and many others. On 26 February 1980, the band U2 performed a concert at the venue which was attended by executives of Island Records; at the end of the show, the label signed the band to their first recording contract.

Facilities

The venue is situated on the South Circular Road between Clanbrassil Street to the east and Dolphin's Barn to the west. The stadium stages amateur and professional boxing and professional wrestling bouts as well as providing facilities for concerts, conferences and corporate hospitality events.[7]

Capacity

The capacity of the stadium is 2,080 for music events, which is reduced to 1,954 for boxing and wrestling events to accommodate the boxing or wrestling ring. The Ringside club seats up to 400 people for parties or seated dining, but some junior boxing events also take place here.

Refurbishment

In December 1999, the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Jim McDaid, announced a £1.3m grant under the Sports Capital Programme to undertake the refurbishment of the stadium.[8][9] The two-storey building was provided with a new grey-coloured limestone facade during the refurbishment.

References
  1. "Over ninety years of Irish Amateur Boxing". IABA. Archived from the original on 5 February 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  2. "Facilities at The National Stadium". National Stadium. Archived from the original on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  3. Cunnigham, Mark (2013). Horslips: Tall Tales - The Official Biography. O'Brien Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-84717-586-1.
  4. "National Stadium review". Time Out. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  5. O'Toole, Leagues (2006). The Humours of Planxty. Ireland: Hodder Headline. ISBN 03-4083-796-9.
  6. Kootnikof, David (2010). U2: A Musical Biography. ABC-CLIO. p. 12. ISBN 9780313365232.
  7. "About The National Stadium". National Stadium. Archived from the original on 15 June 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  8. "£1.3m grant for National Boxing Stadium - McDaid". Department of Art, Sports and Tourism. Archived from the original on 3 May 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  9. "CASE STUDY 5 – NATIONAL BOXING STADIUM". Department of Art, Sports and Tourism. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
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