Ireland’s first Indoor Tennis Arena to open in Louth

Above left to right: David Spillane, Tennis Leinster; Letty Lucas, President Tennis Ireland; Kevin Quinn, CEO Tennis Ireland; Irene McCausland, DKIT; Dr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan, President DKIT; Deirdre Brady, President Tennis Leinster; John McGahon, Tennis Leinster Performance Development Director

Tennis Ireland has announced that it is to establish the country’s first indoor tennis arena in Louth, at the former Dundalk Ice Dome, with the signing of a 20-year tenancy agreement with owners of the former Ice Dome, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT).

Once the home of the Dundalk Bulls ice hockey team, the Dundalk Ice Dome has stood vacant for over a decade. Now it is being transformed into a state-of-the-art indoor tennis arena, designed to inspire and nurture talent across all levels of the sport. The arena is set to open its doors summer 2025, heralding a new era for tennis in Ireland.

The Dundalk Democrat had previously reported in October 2024 that DkIT had leased the former Ice Dome to another party, and that a commencement notice had been submitted to the Building Control Management System in June 2024 by Tennis Ireland for works on the site.

DkIT had for some years been trying to secure a lease arrangement for the Ice Dome, including entering negoiations with the Irish Ice Hockey Association (IIHA) in 2018, negotiations which fell through in 2021.

A spokesperson for DkIT told the Dundalk Democrat in September 2024 that, “I can confirm that DkIT has entered into a leasing agreement with another party on the Ice Dome, however DkIT is not in a position to confirm who this is at this moment in time”.

Tennis Ireland confirmed in a statement on Monday (yesterday) that it is “proud to announce an exciting development in Irish sport with the establishment of the country’s first indoor tennis arena”.

Speaking about the project, President of DKIT, Dr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan said: “We at DKIT are delighted to support Tennis Ireland in their ambitions to develop Ireland's first ever indoor tennis arena in the vacant ice dome. Leasing our facilities for this venture underlines our commitment to promoting health, wellness, and community engagement, providing both our students and the broader public with greater opportunities for physical activity and sport. We sincerely wish Tennis Ireland all the very best in their new endeavour”

Kevin Quinn, CEO of Tennis Ireland, added: “This is a landmark moment for Irish tennis. By revitalising the former Dundalk Ice Dome, we are not only preserving a vital community space but also creating a world-class tennis facility that will serve players and enthusiasts across the island. “This arena reflects our commitment to making tennis more accessible, inclusive, and competitive on the international stage. Thanks to the many volunteers, supporters and local patrons for helping make the Dundalk Tennis Arena a reality.”

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The Dundalk Tennis Arena will feature:

• Four tennis courts with advanced surfaces suitable for professional and recreational play
• Built-in spectator seating to accommodate major events and tournaments
• Training facilities tailored for players of all ages and abilities.

In addition to hosting regional and national competitions, the facility will serve as a hub for tennis development programmes, national training camps, and community and school engagement initiatives. Tennis Ireland says it is also working closely with DKIT to ensure that the arena complements the institute’s broader plans for sports and recreation in the region.

John McGahon, former Irish Davis Cup player and current Tennis Leinster Performance Director, who will play a hands-on role in shaping the arena’s tennis programmes, said: “This project has been a labour of love. It’s about giving young players the opportunities many never had—year-round access to world-class facilities, right here in Dundalk.”

Recognising that the Dundalk Ice Dome holds a special place in the hearts of the local community, having hosted countless games and events during its tenure as a premier ice hockey venue, Tennis Ireland says that its reinvention as an indoor tennis arena “represents a fusion of nostalgia and forward-thinking innovation”.