Get Moving! DLR launches 5-year Local Sports & Physical Activity Plan
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council proudly unveiled its Local Sports & Physical Activity Plan 2025–2029 at Kilbogget Park, Cabinteely.
This launch signifies a significant advancement in dlr’s ongoing dedication to promoting sport and physical activity throughout the county. Cllr. Jim O’Leary, Cathaoirleach, alongside the Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran, Councillors, and representatives from local sports organisations, community groups and St Colmcille’s School gathered to officially launch the Plan.
The new Plan builds on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s strong history of supporting sport and activity at every level. With approximately 300 sports clubs covering 48 different types of sport, and over 120 sports facilities—in addition to facilities in 79 primary and 38 secondary schools—the county continues to be a hub for active living. The core objective of Local Sports & Physical Activity Plan is to get more people, more active more often. The work and commitment of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership, dlr Leisure and all of those involved in the design of the Plan were commended as it sets out a clear and strategic pathway of how this can be achieved.
According to the Irish Sports Monitor Annual Report 2024, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown has one of the highest rates of sport and physical activity participation among those aged 16 and over in Ireland. The Local Sports & Physical Activity Plan 2025–2029 outlines how the Council will build on this success by making sports more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable for all. The delivery of sport in the county is a team effort and this plan recognises the role of local clubs, their valuable volunteers, statutory and community organisations, schools, national governing bodies, and National Governing Bodies, all working together to support physical activity and wellbeing. This new strategy aims to ensure that every person in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown has the opportunity to get involved in sport—regardless of age, ability or background.
The Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Sports Participation Strategy 2018-2022 was launched in by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Ossian Smyth in 2018 with the core objective to get more people, more active, more often.
The launch took place on the 26th November in the beautiful Marlay Park House and was attended by a range of politicians, partner agencies and local club volunteers. Speakers included John Treacy, then Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, and Agata Suszczynski a PE teacher in St. Tiernan’s Community School who has many years’ experience engaging young people in physical activity.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership are the driving force behind this 5-year strategy which focuses on working with all interested agencies and groups to increase participation in physical activity and sport in the County. The successes achieved over the past few years have proven that the most effective way to achieve mutual goals in active participation is through communication and collaboration.
The strategy aims to build and further enhance all of the positive work already taking place and to particularly work with all partners across the County to deliver the best possible outcomes for all local communities. While catering for all ages, abilities and backgrounds there will be a focus on set target groups which have been shown to have a proportionally lower level of participation.
