The launch for the European Athletics Team Championships 1st League took place in the beautiful surroundings of County Hall in Swords, Co Dublin on Tuesday. A number of Ireland’s elite up and coming athletes were in attendance to launch the event along with Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sports, Leo Varadkar TD.

Coordinator of the event Liam Hennessey commented “The event in June will be the most prestigious international team event ever held in Ireland’ whilst Athletics Ireland President Ciaran O’Cathain commented “It is a great honour for the association to be awarded the hosts of such a prestigious event and it is a challenge our enthusiastic volunteers have embraced wholeheartedly. Events like this are crucial in motivating the next generation of athletes and in this special year for Irish tourism where the Gathering is proving to be such a success, I have no doubt that the European Athletics Team Championships will produce special memories which will live long in the heart of everyone who attends Santry for years to come.” Read more here

Sporting Events and Tourism make a major contribution to the Irish economy- Read more about their impact in the Federation of Irish Sport 2012 Annual Review