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KERRY TD Michael Healy-Rae has said Killarney is poised “to take the world stage by storm” as Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup bid took a huge leap forward today.

Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium is one of 12 potential venues for hosting the Rugby World Cup, if Ireland’s bid for the 2023 tournament is successful.

Other candidates unveiled today were Croke Park, Aviva Stadium, RDS Arena, Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, Páirc Ui Chaoimh, Thomond Park, Pearse Stadium, Galway, McHale Park, Castlebar, Casement Park, Kingspan Stadium, and Celtic Park Derry.

The chairman of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup 2023 Bid Oversight Board, Dick Spring, has formally announced Ireland’s entry into the ‘candidate’ phase of the selection process to determine the host for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Ireland will compete with South Africa and France to win the right to host the global tournament and take over as host nation from Japan who will preside over the 2019 staging. The winning bid will be announced in November 2017.

The announcement of the Rugby World Cup 2023 host union will take place in November 2017.

The Rugby World Cup expected to be worth over €800 million to the economy with over 445,000 visitors predicted to travel to Ireland if the bid is successful.

Speaking on the launch Deputy Michael Healy-Rae was more than happy Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium has been included in the proposed list of stadiums. “This news could not be better for Killarney,” said Deputy Healy-Rae. “I have always stated that in my opinion Killarney is the tourist capital of the world and I couldn’t think of a better way to showcase it to the world.”

The Kilgarvan-based TD added: “The businesspeople of Killarney are no strangers to big crowds from Munster finals to concerts, festivals you name it, Killarney can do it, this event is a different animal but there is no better town in Ireland to host it.”

He added the bid “couldn’t be coming at a better time” going on to state “this will have massive economic and social benefits for every city, town and village in Ireland, it will be a massive boost for this great nation”.

The IRFU anticipate 475,000 visitors to Ireland during the tournament and the economic benefit is estimated at €800 million.
At an announcement at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, Mr Spring said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Ireland to host one of the world’s biggest sporting events and we intend to ensure Ireland’s proposition will be world class and compelling.

“We believe Ireland is ready to stage a Rugby World Cup like no other. A tournament that will capture the imagination of the world. A festival of rugby that will be full of Irish people’s unique spirit and an event that will help rugby to reach new audiences throughout the world.”
 

 
Pictured at the bid announcement for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in the Aviva Stadium were Jacob Stockdale, Ireland U20, Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minster, Brian O'Driscoll, Bid Ambassador, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Dick Spring, Chairman of Ireland's RWC 2023 Bid Oversight Board, Stephen Hilditch IRFU President and Bill Johnston, Ireland U20. PICTURE: DAN SHERIDAN/INPHO