Moyne Aerodrome

Repurposing and community development. The site was transformed from a private airstrip into the Moyne Aerodrome Community Sports Facility. The closure to general aviation traffic was a direct result of this change in land use to prioritize the new athletic facilities, rather than being due to economic failure, an accident, or military conversion.

The site is now the Moyne Aerodrome Community Sports Facility, a multi-purpose sports complex. It is the home of the Moyne Athletic Club and features a modern, international-standard 8-lane synthetic running track, extensive facilities for field events (long jump, high jump, shot put), and a clubhouse. The original grass runway still exists, running parallel to the athletic track, and appears to be well-maintained. However, the aerodrome is considered closed to public air traffic and is not licensed by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). Any residual aviation activity is strictly private and secondary to its primary function as a community sports center.

Moyne Aerodrome was a private grass airstrip established in the late 1980s by local businessman and aviation enthusiast Paddy O'Connell. It served as a base for his private light aircraft and was a well-regarded destination within the general aviation community. The aerodrome was particularly known for hosting popular annual 'fly-in' events that attracted pilots and aircraft from across Ireland and the UK, serving as a significant social and community gathering. Its history is notable as a successful example of a private rural airfield that later evolved through a unique community partnership.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Moyne Aerodrome as a public-use airfield. Its successful and established role as a key community sports facility makes a return to a primary aviation function highly improbable. The significant safety, insurance, and logistical challenges of operating regular air traffic alongside an active athletics club with numerous members, including children, make a formal reopening unfeasible. The site's future is firmly rooted in its role as a sports and community hub.