Reply To: The Bertie bowl revisited

As has been previously stated the Odyssey Arena in Belfast is the only enclosed sporting facility in Ireland. The Waterfront Hall is truly a ‘national’/ international venue compared to the ‘National exam hall’ on Earslfort Terrace. We only have to look north for guidance and direction when it comes to the realisation of leisure and cultural centres. The big difference is that these projects up North have been funded with the help of substantial Lottery funding. Our Lottery was loudly proclaimed on its much heralded inception as funding for major sport facilities. All that has been funded is mickey mouse projects by the lobbying of local TDs ensuring that local parish pump groups got their bar extensions built on to every GAA and golf club from Malin Head to Mizen Head and no government interest in any grand national plan for Stadia or public leisure centres.