Connacht GAA Air Dome destroyed during Storm Éowyn

Connacht GAA's Air Dome has been destroyed during Storm Éowyn.

The multimillion euro facility in Bekan near Ballyhaunis in Co Mayo, now known as the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome, opened in 2020 and has been a huge success due to its ability to host indoor games at all levels, regardless of the conditions.

However, the record-breaking winds overnight tore the inflated roof of the structure to bits, with Connacht GAA secretary John Prenty confirming to RTÉ Sport that it blew down at approximately 4am.

"We have been unable to get out to the site to assess the damage as the winds are too high," said Prenty, who confirmed the structure was fully insured and Connacht GAA intended to rebuild it.

"The plan is we'll tidy up the site in the next week. We will rebuild it."

The Air Dome, which cost over €3.5m to build was officially opened on 20 July 2020.

The National Frisbee Championship, which was to be held in the Air Dome tomorrow, has been cancelled.

The venue's demise has far-reaching impacts with Sigerson, Fitzgibbon and Ashbourne Cup fixtures all planned for the dome over the next few weeks.

Located at Connacht's centre of excellence, the Air Dome covered an area of 150m x 100m, with an inflatable roof anchored to a metre high perimeter wall around the site. Three pumping stations were used to blow up the structure and to keep it in place.