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    Olympic Dreams: Cork and Wexford Towns Show Strong Potential for Future Olympians, Study Reveals
    Olympic Dreams: Cork and Wexford Towns Show Strong Potential for Future Olympians, Study Reveals
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    Ireland

    Olympic Dreams: Cork and Wexford Towns Show Strong Potential for Future Olympians, Study Reveals

    14 August 2024

    New research from The Lagoon Activity Centre highlights where Ireland's Future Olympians may be located. 

    By examining online search data from the past 12 years, The Lagoon Activity Centre, can geolocate which cities, towns and counties are showing the most interest in Olympic Sports/facilities across the country and it's good news for the people of Cork, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow and Limerick - By 2028 you may have a few new Olympians making the trip to Los Angeles. 
    In this new study, Cork City emerged as Ireland's Olympic hotbed when it comes to overall interest in the games, scoring an impressive 381 out of 700 on the search interest scale, with Clonroche, Co. Wexford coming second with 359, Ratoath, Co. Meath third with 322, Greystones, Co. Wicklow in fourth with 315 and Limerick City just behind with a score of 314. 

    The research examined the most popular Olympic Sports search terms in Ireland, including athletics, gymnastics, rowing, scull, boxing clubs, swimming, and swimming lessons. 

    ​Ireland's Next Olympians? Towns to Watch for 2028

    Full Table of Results, towns scored from a possible 700.
     
    Cork, Cork
    		381
    Clonroche, Wexford359
    Ratoath, Meath322
    Greystones, Wicklow315
    Limerick, Limerick314
    Dublin, Dublin310
    Celbridge, Kildare303
    Navan, Meath279
    Ennis, Clare270
    Lucan, Dublin264
    Carrigaline, Cork259
    Wicklow, Wicklow235
    Kilkenny, Kilkenny228
    Bray, Wicklow226
    Mullingar, Westmeath225
    Newbridge, Kildare223
    Ashbourne, Meath217
    Nenagh, Tipperary214
    Wexford, Wexford203
    Carrick-On-Suir, Tipperary201
    Kildare, Kildare197
    Croagh, Limerick195
    Coolaney, Sligo194
    Tramore, Waterford192
    Waterford, Waterford189
    Galway, Galway188
    Tralee, Kerry187
    Ballina, Mayo180
    Ballincollig, Cork180
    Tullamore, Offaly180
    Clonmel, Tipperary177
    Drogheda, Louth176
    New Ross, Wexford171
    Mallow, Cork170
    Arklow, Wicklow169
    Rush, Dublin169
    Killarney, Kerry167
    Carlow, Carlow166
    Tribley, Meath163
    Dungarvan, Waterford162
    Athlone, Westmeath161
    Thurles, Tipperary158
    Naas, Kildare157
    Monaghan, Monaghan155
    Portlaoise, Laois152
    Malahide, Dublin151
    Cavan, Cavan147
    Crossakiel, Meath147
    Athy, Kildare140
    Castlebar, Mayo128
    Balbriggan, Dublin121
    Derrinturn, Kildare121
    Longford, Longford119
    Sligo, Sligo117
    Swords, Dublin117
    Letterkenny, Donegal104
    Edenderry, Offaly94
    Maynooth, Kildare88
    Dundalk, Louth83
    Clonmacnoise, Offaly38
    Shannon, Clare30
    Ranafast, Donegal27
    Ballinasloe, Galway22
    Kilmacthomas, Waterford12
    Caragagh, Cavan      9
    Below is a further breakdown of the statistics, giving a brief view on which towns are searching for each specific sport/facility
     
    Town/CityBoxing ClubTown/CityAthletics
    		Town/CityGymnasticsTown/CityRowing
    		Town/CityScull
    		Town/CitySwimming LessonsTown/CitySwimming
    Bray100
    		Ratoath100
    		Carrigaline100
    		Killarney100
    		Cork100
    		Celbridge100
    		Crossakiel100
    Lucan66
    		Dungarvan74
    		Ratoath64
    		Ballincollig78
    		Limerick67
    		Derrinturn89
    		Edenderry94
    Navan65
    		Nenagh73
    		Ballincollig63
    		Carrigaline63
    		Dublin56
    		Greystones81
    		Clonroche90

    Overall Interest Grows in Ireland

    The data also reveals intriguing trends in search interest across Ireland over the past 12 years. The 2024 Olympic Games witnessed not only the largest participation from the Irish Olympic Team but also the highest interest in Olympic sports across the country. For instance, searches for 'running track' have increased by an astounding 212% since the start of this year's games, and a remarkable 270% since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Rowing is a perfect example here, with interest exploding in Ireland following the past 2 Olympic Games. 2016 saw the highest ever volume of searches across Ireland for Rowing, jumping a huge 373% and this Summer saw that figure increase even further, by 40%, following another Gold Medal.
    Searches have exploded in recent weeks

    Searches have exploded in recent weeks

    Rowing continues to grow in popularity across Ireland

    Rowing continues to grow in popularity across Ireland

    Sculls are becoming more and more common on Irish waterways.

    Sculls are becoming more and more common on Irish waterways.

    Rebel County Focus

    Several factors contribute to Cork City's outstanding search interest score for Olympic sports. The Rebel County's representation in the Olympics, with athletes like Paul O'Donovan, Fintan McCarthy, Phil Healy and Austin O'Connor, has undoubtedly fueled the enthusiasm for Olympic Sports. These accomplished athletes have brought home gold medals, made history for the country and their county. One can only imagine that their achievements have undoubtedly inspired and influenced the high search interest in Cork City and its neighbouring areas.

    The continued success of Team Ireland at the Olympics and the growth of all of these sports across the country really is fantastic to see. Here in West Cork we're very proud of the rowers in particular and we'd be encouraging everyone to get out on the water when they can - we'd love to invite everyone to come in and dip their toes here in Rosscarbery, you may not reach the speeds of Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy but you can definitely get a similar feeling here in a Kayak, you're just swapping The Seine for The Lagoon!

    Paul Melody, Director of the Lagoon Activity Centre

    ​About The Lagoon Activity Centre - Located in Rosscarbery, West Cork, the Lagoon is packed with where adventure awaits! Stacked with water activities, you’ll dive into the exhilarating beauty of West Cork and the Wild Atlantic Way – from the comfort and fun of an amazing aqua park.

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