Ireland women’s rugby has secured a significant new boost, with Dublin Airport and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announcing a partnership designed to bring the team closer to supporters and raise the profile of the women’s game nationwide.
The agreement will provide travel support and promotional opportunities as the Ireland Women’s Rugby Team prepares to represent the country on the international stage. It will also use Dublin Airport’s platforms to showcase the players, their journeys and the growing impact of women’s rugby in Ireland.
New Dublin Airport partnership puts Ireland women’s rugby in the spotlight
Under the partnership, supporters travelling through Dublin Airport can expect a series of events and digital initiatives over the coming months. These will include player appearances, social media content, competitions and other fan activations.
The aim is to make the team more visible to the public while helping supporters connect with the players away from the pitch. For Irish rugby, the partnership also represents an important commercial and promotional step as the women’s game continues to build momentum.
Nick Cole, Deputy CEO of daa, said the airport was proud to support the team and wanted to help more people engage with women’s rugby. He highlighted the opportunity to encourage more women and girls across Ireland to take part in sport.
“Women’s rugby continues to go from strength to strength,” Cole said, adding that the partnership would help increase the sport’s visibility and bring the team closer to more fans.
A sporting connection that stretches beyond rugby
Dublin Airport has frequently been part of major moments in Irish sporting life, welcoming teams, athletes and travelling supporters. Its terminals have hosted memorable departures and homecomings, from Ireland’s football celebrations in the 1990s to Katie Taylor’s return in 2012 and the welcome given to Ireland’s Olympic team in 2024.
The new agreement places the Ireland Women’s Rugby Team within that wider sporting story. It is intended to support the players’ international travel while creating more opportunities for fans to follow their progress and celebrate their achievements.
What the partnership means for players and supporters
For the squad, the relationship with Dublin Airport will provide practical assistance during international campaigns. For supporters, it promises more opportunities to see the players and take part in activities linked to the team.
- Travel support for the Ireland Women’s Rugby Team.
- Player appearances at Dublin Airport.
- Digital and social media features.
- Competitions and supporter activations.
- Greater visibility for women’s rugby across Ireland.
Billy Murphy, Chair of the IRFU Commercial and Marketing Committee, welcomed Dublin Airport as an official sponsor. He noted the airport’s long-standing role in the international travel of Irish squads and supporters, and said the partnership would help the women’s team reach an even wider audience.
The announcement arrives at a time when interest in women’s sport is continuing to grow. Increased visibility, stronger commercial backing and regular access to players can all help build a lasting connection between elite teams and the next generation of participants.
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Why visibility matters for women’s rugby in Ireland
Partnerships such as this can play an important role beyond sponsorship branding. They give athletes a larger public platform, help normalise women’s sport in everyday spaces and provide clubs and schools with visible role models.
That connection is particularly valuable for grassroots rugby. Young players travelling through the airport, seeing Ireland internationals featured online or meeting members of the squad may be inspired to join a local club, attend a match or continue their own sporting development.
The partnership also offers the IRFU and Dublin Airport a chance to tell the human story behind international rugby: the preparation, travel, teamwork and responsibility involved in wearing the green jersey.
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What to watch next
The partnership will be rolled out through the coming months, with player appearances, airport activations and online content expected to bring supporters closer to the squad. The next stage will be seeing how those initiatives are used around Ireland’s international fixtures and wider rugby calendar.
For the Ireland Women’s Rugby Team, the message is clear: the journey to the international stage will now have an even stronger connection with supporters at home. Dublin Airport’s backing adds visibility, practical support and a valuable platform as Irish women’s rugby looks to keep moving forward.
Article/Image Courtesy: Irish Rugby Football Union
