Ann Bourke

• University College Dublin

This chapter outlines the characteristics and structure of the fitness industry in the Republic of Ireland, detailing the key players, the facilities and services provided and recent changes in demand and supply. The industry has been transformed during the past decade due largely to Ireland’s recovery from the economic recession (2008–2013), incre...

Sport and education are two of the major institutions of our society. They interact with each other and with other institutions to contribute to what we commonly regard as culture and society. Sport (and education) is a form of collective action involving a host of different people connected in different networks and creating different sorts of spo...

This presentation briefly details the origin and evolution of sports scholarship, the role and responsibilities of the key parties and personnel involved, and their impact on students’ performance, participation and personal development. Drawing on two case studies (Irish university and second level school), key stakeholder challenges are identifie...

Sport in Ireland is organized hierarchically with top-down (or central) policy development, dissemination, and oversight. As the majority of sports in Ireland are played on an amateur basis (rugby union and golf being exceptions), sport is organized around a complex federated model of not-for-profit organizations to deliver government sports policy...

Sport in Ireland is popular and widespread with levels of participation and attendance high. In common with other Western European regions, participation has been dropping due to increased popularity of other activities such as watching television and playing computer games. The more popular team sports in Ireland in terms of participation are socc...

Because of the improved fortunes in international competition of the Republic of Ireland soccer team and increased media interest in the game, many youngsters embark on their dream to be a full-time professional player. Soccer in Ireland is mostly played on a part-time basis, with few openings for full-time professionals. English clubs are now recr...

This study provides a brief outline of the history of women's football in Ireland, the pivotal event being the formation of the Ladies Football Association of Ireland (LFAI) in 1973. In the United States, association football has been promoted mainly via the national teams (men's and women's), instead of having the domestic game produce the nationa...

The most visible aspect of the internationalisation of Higher Education is foreign students and this article outlines the factors which influence patterns and trends in international student mobility. Using the case study of undergraduate medical education, insights are provided on the issues which determine a student's choice of host nation and in...

In the minds of many Irish youngsters, a career in professional football with one of the leading teams in England (Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool or Leeds United) is a dream that may never be realized. The present paper (drawing on a recently completed study) details the career paths of those who have spent time with an English club during t...

This article focuses on a neglected aspect of international trade in services i.e. trade in Higher Education. The purpose of the research endeavour is to draw together the determinants of this trade using its most visible aspect - foreign students. There are many categories of foreign student, but the study is confined to those students who opt to...