For all rugby fans, out there: Irish rugby is great to watch and very well respected throughout the country. Annual games are held in the Aviva stadium and tickets can be booked online. However, it is also possible to watch a game at Trinity College, where the oldest rugby club in Ireland has its home. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the players on a Friday evening running through the court.
Gaelic football, a sport invented in Ireland, is a must-see. GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) has its home in Croke Park, a stadium already well worth a visit, if it’s only for the premises. Played by 15 people within one team, the game promises great fun. The Irish love it and many do never miss a game. The finals are coming up this summer, so go ahead and book yourself a ticket but make sure to learn the rules before you go because some of us Irish still don’t get them…
Other sports that are very popular in Ireland are golfing, as Ireland has so much spare space, green grass and countryside areas and cricket, which has always been a thing over here. Go and find one of the oldest cricket fields in Phoenix Park. Maybe some are playing and you can join along.. who knows!
Let’s get to hurling, a game that has its origins in Ireland and has been played for over 3,000 years. Hurling is to Irish people like hockey to the Dutch. Many people play it throughout the country and it’s considered as the fastest game in the world due to its thick leather ball. Finals are played in Croke Park as well and promise a great atmosphere.
For the ones not so fond of stadiums, that’s absolutely no problem. As there are limited amounts of seats and way too many Irish love to watch sports, numerous pubs and bars are equipped with beamers and great surround systems. Find yourself a great pub in Temple Bar area if you like the atmosphere or get out of the city to find locals cheering for their favourite teams. Our favourite is the hole in a wall.
Of course, when visiting Dublin to see a game, you can expect many people around the streets of Dublin. This means you should always book your ticket early if you’re a real lover. Hotels block rooms in advance which means again, be quick – be early – be there. Our Mont Clare Hotel is perfectly situated and only a short stroll away to the Aviva stadium if you’re aiming for a Rugby game. The Stephen’s Green Hotel is situated in a great pub area if you like live streaming and of course there are special offers if you like to watch the game at our Alexander Hotel. And if you’re going for the real Irish experience, our Davenport Hotel has accommodated many Irish athletes over the years and is always a great place to stay when there is a game in the city. MATCH DAY!
