Fianna Fáil local election candidate for the Galway City West ward, David Burke, has welcomed increased speculation this week that Ireland could secure the Rugby World Cup in 2023 which would potentially involve the hosting of games at Pearse Stadium in Salthill and provide a much needed boost of approximately €20 million to the economy of Galway city.
David Burke commented: “I think everyone is excited at the possibility of the Rugby World Cup coming to Galway city and Ireland. The financial benefit both nationally and locally cannot be underestimated. We have seen the impact of the Volvo Ocean Race and the Compromise Rules games to Galway, and being a host city for the Rugby World Cup in 2023 would bring millions to the local economy as well as attracting thousands of tourists.”
Burke also praised the efforts of both the GAA and the IRFU to work together on this initiative, and singled out a special mention for his own local club, Salthill-Knocknacarra GAA. “I am delighted that my own club were the first club within the association to formally put a motion down that Croke Park and local GAA stadiums across Ireland, including Pearse Stadium in Salthill, be made available to the IRFU in order to make a realistic bid for Ireland to host the Rugby World Cup 2023.”
This motion was officially passed by the GAA National Congress in April 2013.
David Burke also stated his wish to set up a working group in Galway city in order to ensure that no stone is left unturned to ensure that Galway city supports the IRFU’s bid for the Rugby World Cup 2023 and put forward the city’s case to be one of the main host cities.
