Connacht GAA welcomes return of Air Dome after storm damage

A view outside the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome. ©INPHO/Tom Maher.

Connacht GAA CEO John Prenty is delighted that the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome is available for use again after being out of action for 495 days.

The Air Dome was damaged by Storm Eowyn in January 2025 and has since undergone extensive repairs.

Catering for football, hurling, camogie and ladies football, Connacht GAA is exploring the possibility of hosting FBD League and Connacht Hurling League fixtures at the venue again.

Speaking to GAA.ie, Mr Prenty said that the facility has been “wedged” since reopening.

"It was a very tough stint, we were without it for 495 days," he said.

"There was a lot of stress and planning, dealing with insurers, manufacturers, and our contractors. It was full on, almost 24/7 for a long time.

"It's great to have it back in action now for the last two months. Every weekend it's wedged. We'd more than 1,000 kids there the last three weekends, we'd more than 1,000 each weekend."

On the possibility of hosting pre-season games in 2027, Connacht GAA’s CEO added: "We had the FBD before, we played the games there. We'd a hurling element (Connacht Hurling League) and we will be looking at that next weekend, too.

"We will look at the Mayo situation, to see who they will be playing in it. Everyone in Mayo is excited at the minute, and they will still be excited when the FBD comes around, I'm sure.

"We will look at where we can host that, it mightn't be possible to hold that in the dome. You could nearly have a Connacht final type gate at the first Mayo match in the FBD."