University of Limerick and Triathlon Ireland have announced a strategic partnership to establish Triathlon Ireland’s National Triathlon Centre at UL, a significant development in Irish sport.
This partnership marks a crucial milestone in Triathlon Ireland’s strategic plan and further strengthens UL’s commitment to supporting high-performance student-athletes.
The newly launched National Triathlon Centre at UL will be home to Ireland’s most promising triathletes, offering them unparalleled access to world-class facilities, expert coaching, and advanced training programmes.
The university’s dedication to supporting elite student-athletes has been recognised with a Sport Ireland Institute Accreditation for student athlete support, a prestigious endorsement of UL’s commitment to ‘dual career’ excellence.
The sporting campus was a training ground for Irish triathlete Carolyn Hayes, who competed in the Olympic triathlon event, representing Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Former sports scholar and triathlete Con Doherty made history in 2012 as the first Irishman to win a medal at the Junior Triathlon World Championships.
Among those attending today’s launch were rising star triathletes and NTC attendees Mathys Bocquet, Ethan Doherty, Senan McDonnell, Sean McMahon, and Izabella Chidlow.
The centre leverages UL’s premier sports facilities, including the Olympic-sized swimming pool facilities, a high-performance athletics track, and the extensive campus grounds ideal for swimming, running, and cycling training.
Speaking at the event, University of Limerick’s Acting President Professor Shane Kilcommins highlighted the university’s long-standing dedication to advancing athletic and educational excellence and underscored the importance of the National Triathlon Centre for Ireland’s rising triathlon stars.
“Today marks a significant milestone for University of Limerick and Triathlon Ireland. The launch of the National Triathlon Centre at UL underscores our commitment to developing high-performance sports facilities and partnerships that benefit both our university and the broader athletic community in Ireland. This centre will not only enhance our standing in sports academia but also provide our student athletes with the resources they need to excel. As Ireland’s sporting campus, we are proud to be at the forefront of nurturing Ireland’s future sporting talent.”
Triathlon Ireland CEO Darren Coombes said the centre is the home for triathlon in Ireland and central to the realisation of the organisation’s strategic goals, highlighting the impact it will have on the development of future Irish triathletes on both national and international stages.
“We are thrilled to officially launch the National Triathlon Centre at University of Limerick. Having a fully staffed, student athlete focussed centre for our elite and future elite athletes is a game-changer for triathlon in Ireland. We are deeply grateful to the team at UL, whose energy, support and warm welcome have been as valuable as the world-class facilities themselves.
A special mention must go to Dr Lynne Algar who sadly passed away this year. Lynne was a former member of the staff team at Triathlon Ireland and graduate of UL. Lynne pioneered and led on our original partnership with UL – her vision, energy, and determination laid the foundations for this incredible project, she would be so proud of what we have achieved together.
To our elite and student-athletes, thank you for trusting us and embracing this partnership. We are committed to supporting your growth as athletes and individuals and are excited to see you thrive both on and off the field of play. This is just the beginning, and we are all in as we build the future of Irish triathlon together.”
UL student triathlete Mathys Bouquet, who won the Junior Athlete of the Year award at the Triathlon Ireland Awards last weekend, shared his excitement about the opportunities the new centre will provide.
“Having the National Triathlon Centre here at UL, where I’m studying, means so much to me. Every day, I get to wake up and train with some of the top triathletes in Ireland, supported by the best coaches in the country. This is going to significantly advance the sport of triathlon in Ireland over the coming years, not just for me, but for the next generation also. I’m excited to see how it develops and grows.”
The National Triathlon Centre aligns with UL’s ongoing investment in sports innovation and its mission to be a leading hub for elite sports training in Ireland. With this facility, UL is positioned as a leading force as Ireland’s sporting campus, nurturing Ireland’s athletic talent and as an inspiring base for the country’s top triathletes.
Triathlon Ireland intends to hold national squad training days and collaborate with other national triathlon federations to host training camps at the centre. Opportunities are also being explored to host national and international events and competitions for 2025 and beyond.