Westmeath Sports Partnership is delighted to confirm that a new ‘Get Ireland Active’ database of all the outdoor and indoor amenities and sports facilities in Co.Westmeath is now available online.
Sport Ireland, the authority responsible for the development of sport in Ireland, has this week 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.
- Get Ireland Active is Ireland’s most comprehensive activity, sport and recreation website.
- 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 today by Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D.
- The launch of the database has been welcomed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D.; the Minister for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton T.D.; and Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O’Brien T.D.
- The database changes the game for anyone who enjoys being active or wants to become more active.
- Comprehensive resource will help future investment and planning decisions for sport and recreational facilities.
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.
In Co. Westmeath, over 150 locations have been mapped including walking trails, playgrounds, GAA and soccer pitches as well as cycling and hiking paths.
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.
Commenting on the launch, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, said “The launch of this new website will bring together everyone who wants to be more active with all the resources and amenities that can help them on their activity journey. The delivery of this new database marks the completion of an important action on the National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027. This facilities audit will also help to guide decisions regarding the sport capital projects which will be prioritised for public funding.”
Minister for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD, added “The launch of the Get Ireland Active database represents a watershed moment for the enjoyment and development of sport and physical activity in our communities. Get Ireland Active is the first project of its kind in Ireland, creating a free, convenient, and comprehensive website of opportunities available to the Irish public. The new website brings together the collective resources of Government, Sport Ireland, local authorities, local sports partnerships, and Irish sport’s national governing bodies meaning that people all across Ireland can choose from over 10,000 options to get active. I strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of this fantastic new resource.”
Minister for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton TD, “Healthy Ireland has at its core a vision of a society that facilitates, supports and promotes physical activity and an active way of life. Get Ireland Active will be integral to achieving that vision, by equipping the Irish public with the information and tools to participate in local physical activity opportunities and I am hugely excited by its potential.”
Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O’Brien TD, “I am delighted to support this valuable initiative through the Dormant Accounts Fund. Get Ireland Active will be a key tool for people to access information on recreation amenities in a clear, accessible way. In line with the objective of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, this new website will raise awareness of the vast array of sport and recreation activities available locally whilst encouraging responsible behaviour in the great outdoors.”
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.”
“I would like to thank my colleagues in all sectors who have contributed to this resource, and it really is a strong demonstration of the innovation that exists within our sports sector in Ireland,” she concluded.
Log on to find opportunities to get active in your area right now www.getirelandactive.ie