Chapelizod Sports Stadium

Chapelizod Sports Stadium

Location	Chapelizod Road,Chapelizod,Dublin,Ireland
Coordinates	53°20′49.3″N6°20′34.4″W
Opened	1949
Closed	c.1961

Chapelizod Sports Stadiumwas agreyhound racingandspeedwaystadium in Chapelizod Road,Chapelizod,Dublin,Ireland.

History

Origins

Plans were drawn up during 1949 for a new Sports Stadium called the Chapelizod Sports Stadium, on an eight-acre site on the north bank of theRiver Liffeyand south ofPhoenix Park.The cost to construct the stadium was £30,000.

Greyhound racing

Thegreyhound racingstarted on 26 December 1949The company responsible for the introduction of racing was the Dublin Greyhound Stadium Ltd, and the directors were I.Geller, J.T.Dixon, D.Geller, W.H.Kearney and J.K.P.Ingram. However, a licence could not be obtained from theIrish Coursing Clubunder the 50 miles rule (other tracks within 50 miles could object to a licence being granted for a new track).Harold's Cross Stadiumagreed butShelbourne Parkrefused, so therefore racing was unlicensed.The Irish Coursing Club also refused a licence to race during the winter of 1950 despite the other tracks closing for the season.

Speedway

The stadium also hostedspeedwayfrom 1950 to 1954 and 1961. The team raced as the Dublin Lizods, Dublin Eagles and Dublin Falcons at various promotions.

Closure

The greyhound operation continued until around c.1960. The site was demolished and today is the Chapelizod Industrial Estate. The site should not be confused with the current Donore Harriers Athletics Stadium on the site of an old football pitch to the east of the former Chapelizod Stadium.