Skateboard Parks in Ireland

Skateparks are purpose-built areas where skateboarders can practice their skills safely. There are 20 skateparks in Ireland, although park closures and new park projects in planning make it difficult to keep track of the exact number in use at any one time. Most skateparks are outdoors and free of charge, but it is also possible to find indoor skateparks that demand an entry fee.

  1. Concrete Skateparks

    • Concrete offers a smooth ride and less noise.

      Lucan skatepark, located in Griffeen Valley Park in Lucan, South Dublin, was Ireland’s first concrete skatepark. Concrete gives a skatepark the advantage of a smoother surface, durability and causes less noise for the nearby residents of the area. Concrete parks are perfect for beginners because of their seamless flow of platforms and ramps. Experienced skaters also prefer concrete parks for the smooth ride and the easy-to-use areas, which require less maintenance compared to the vulnerable and frequently damaged modular parks. Lucan skatepark has been open since 2006 and features floodlighting and security cameras. The opening of this park was a major achievement for the skater community in Dublin, as they had campaigned for a safe and practical place to skate for 15 years.

    Modular Skateparks

    • Modular skateparks offer urban skating in a safe enviroment.

      There are more modular skateparks in operation in Ireland than the concrete parks. Some modular skatebarks, such as Ballymacool skatepark in Donegal, are still being built despite the advancement of concrete parks.

      Modular skateboard parks contain a series of ramps and rails, made of wood and steel, bolted together and secured to the ground. Sometimes the smaller parks have mobile ramps and platforms that can be switched between parks or rearranged in the same area. Modular skateparks formed the original skateboard parks and are an extension of street skating, taking attributes from urban areas like railings and steps. As street skating can be dangerous and often illegal, modular parks offer a safe environment for skaters while maintaining many of the features found in street skating.

      Some modular skateparks, like Ballincollid skatepark in Cork, combine the two and have concrete moulded floors with modular equipment.

    Indoor Skateparks

    • Indoor skateparks are usually modular skateparks and are well-kept, regulated organizations that require an entry fee for admittance. These parks have the bonus of being undercover, shielding skaters from bad weather and dark nights. Indoor skateparks in Ireland, like the SofD Skatepark of Dublin, represent a good alternative to outdoor parks because they protect boards from possible rain damage. Indoor skateparks enforce safety features, requiring skaters to wear padding and helmets. Because indoor parks are in an enclosed area, any noise created in the park will not affect residents or the general public.