Gormanstown Aerodrome

The closure was due to a combination of military consolidation and technological obsolescence. The Irish Air Corps centralized its primary fixed-wing operations at Casement Aerodrome (Baldonnel), which had superior paved runways and facilities suitable for modern aircraft. Gormanstown's grass runways were deemed unsuitable for the heavier and faster jet aircraft entering service, and its strategic importance as an airbase diminished. The camp's primary role subsequently shifted entirely to ground-based army training.

The site is part of the active Gormanstown Camp, a military base for the Irish Defence Forces (Army). The former airfield is no longer used for fixed-wing aviation, and the runways are unmaintained and overgrown, though their original layout is still clearly visible from satellite imagery. The vast open area is now used for military ground training, drills, large-scale exercises, and occasional helicopter operations. Part of the camp grounds also hosts the annual Gormanstown Agricultural Show.

Gormanstown has significant military and aviation history in Ireland. It was established in 1917 as a Royal Flying Corps (RFC) training depot during World War I. During the Irish War of Independence, it was a major base for British forces, including the Auxiliaries and Black and Tans. After being handed over to the Irish Free State in 1922, it became a key base for the newly formed Irish Air Corps and a primary training center for the Irish Army. During 'The Emergency' (World War II), it famously served as an internment camp for both Allied and Axis airmen whose aircraft crashed or force-landed in Ireland. The aerodrome hosted various aircraft throughout its active years, including Avro 504s, Hawker Harts, Hawker Hurricanes, and Supermarine Spitfire trainers, playing a vital role in the defense and training operations of the Air Corps for several decades.

There are no known official plans or serious prospects for reopening Gormanstown as a functional aerodrome. The land is an integral part of the army's training facilities at Gormanstown Camp, and the Irish Air Corps' operational needs are fully met by Casement Aerodrome. Re-establishing an airfield would require substantial investment to build modern runways and infrastructure, for which there is no stated military or civilian demand.