Sustainable Tourism Case Study: Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium is a premier sporting and entertainment venue in Cork that welcomes over 34,000 visitors annually. Operating as part of Greyhound Racing Ireland, the stadium hosted 98 race meetings in 2025. It serves as a year-round attraction, providing a sporting experience while acting as a hub for hospitality, catering, and community fundraising.

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES

• Energy Consumption: Between 2024 and 2025, the stadium achieved a 13% reduction in both electricity and gas consumption through improved energy efficiency initiatives.
• Monitoring and Reporting: The stadium utilizes data-driven monitoring of utilities and participates in the SEAI Public Sector Monitoring & Reporting Programme and the NewERA Climate Action Framework.
• Waste Management: Initiatives have improved recycling performance and reduced overall utility costs through sustainable operational practices.
• Climate Alignment: These efforts support Cork's ambition to lead in environmentally conscious and responsible tourism.
  
  

SOCIAL INITIATIVES

Curraheen Park functions as a key community venue, hosting fundraising race nights for local GAA clubs, schools, and voluntary organizations to support youth development and education. Educational outreach is conducted through collaboration with the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), providing students with insights into stadium operations and animal welfare. The stadium maintains a strict commitment to animal welfare via the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT), which rehomes hundreds of retired racing greyhounds into family homes annually. In 2025, these community-focused activities engaged over 34,000 visitors.

GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES

The stadium operates under the governance framework of the Department of Agriculture, Food & The Marine, ensuring transparency and public sector accountability. Operational procedures include regulatory oversight of animal welfare and resource efficiency. Governance is further supported by structured reporting through national climate frameworks, ensuring that sustainability initiatives are integrated into the daily management and communication of the stadium.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

In 2025, the stadium supported the local Cork economy by employing up to 50 people per race night in roles ranging from hospitality to racing operations, offering flexible part-time employment. The business prioritizes local Cork suppliers, including Pat Hennerty Sales and A.R. Brownlow Ltd. Furthermore, the stadium supports a pool of approximately 800 greyhounds, with prize money providing economic stability for a network of owners, trainers, kennel staff, and veterinary services across both urban and rural Cork communities.