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Ireland is home to a vast sporting history. Whether it’s our love of horse racing, enviable skill in rugby, or passion for Gaelic sports, there’s something for all sports fans to enjoy. We’ve counted down the best sports and games venues in Ireland to bring you the best of the best.
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
The first stop on our list is the Aviva Stadium, located in Dublin. This huge multi-purpose sports venue seats just over 50,000 people and serves as the home stadium for the Ireland national rugby union team and the Republic of Ireland national football team. It was opened back in 2010 and is best known for its striking modern architecture. You’ll have seen the stadium play host to Six Nations matches as well as UEFA Championship qualifiers. Booking on to a tour is easy and you get a full behind the scenes snoop at how the operations team keeps the venue running smoothly. Of course, the big draw would be to come on a game day and secure yourself some seats. There’s nothing quite like cheering on the national team in a venue of this size.
Croke Park, Dublin
From one Irish institution to another, Croke Park is Ireland’s largest stadium. Plus, it’s the home of Gaelic games, i.e. Gaelic football and hurling. The stadium is, in fact, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), the governing body for Gaelic games. With a capacity of over 82,000, it is the third-largest stadium in the whole of Europe! If you’re interested in supporting Gaelic sports then this is the place to do it. Like the Aviva Stadium, you can secure behind the scenes tours, but you can also grab yourself seats when it’s a game day. Failing that, head to the GAA Museum. This museum showcases the history of Gaelic sports and shines a light on some of the legends involved in keeping the Gaelic heritage alive today. In terms of a love letter to Irish history, it doesn’t get much sportier than this.
The Sporting Emporium, Dublin
It’s likely been a pretty action packed day with two stadiums under your belt, so, a trip to the Sporting Emporium is the perfect way to round it off. This exclusive casino in the heart of Dublin offers multiple poker tables, making it a great place for beginners and experienced players alike. Regardless of your ability, it’s a good idea to brush up on your strategy before you place your bets. Ireland is home to some mean poker players, so knowing about potential pitfalls is a good way to help your holiday budget stretch a little further.
Poker is a game that Ireland has a long history with; some sources even suggest it was the Irish who brought poker over to the United States! Nowadays Texas Hold’em is the preferred variant, usually played online. With online poker you get the benefit of not having to be physically good at bluffing, as the other opponents can’t see you. This leads to intense games where the only way to imitate bluffing is to bet big and bet with confidence. However, in person, it’s a great way to engage in some (sporting) competition with the other people who’ve joined you on your tour.
Thomond Park, Limerick
Starting up again with a trip to Thomond Park, the renowned rugby union stadium in Limerick. This is the home ground of the Munster Rugby team and has a capacity of about 25,000. The Thomond Park fans are part of the draw here, so this is one to visit only on game day. There are tours, where you can visit the dressing rooms and dugouts as well as the Munster Rugby Museum. If you can’t get there on a game day, then skip the tour and head straight to the museum. It is packed full of memorabilia that Munster fans will love and rugby union fans will be fascinated by.
Down Royal Racecourse, Lisburn
After a whistle stop tour of Thomond Park, it’s time for some racing! Ireland is famous for its National Hunt racing and just down the road from Bangor is Down Royal Racecourse. It is one of the oldest racetracks in Ireland, with records of racing on its grounds dating back to 1685. While you can watch racing at any time of year at Down Royal, it’s best enjoyed during the National Hunt season. The Ladbrokes Festival of Racing takes place annually in November and features the prestigious Grade 1 Champion Chase. Getting to watch a race as famous as this up close would be a highlight for any horse racing fan.
