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If you’re a rugby fan, an important rugby match can cap off a perfect holiday. On the other hand if you don’t know much about rugby, Dublin’s an ideal place where you can get acquainted with this sport that can make grown men (and women) go completely insane.
Lansdowne Road in Ballsbridge is Ireland’s national stadium and it’s owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). Football is also played on the ground although it is primarily used for rugby, hosting both Lansdowne Football Club and Wanderers Football Club. The first representative rugby match on Lansdowne was between Leinster and Munster in December 1876 and the first international rugby fixture saw it host England on the 11th March 1878, effectively making it the world’s oldest rugby Test venue.
Every year the stadium hosts home games in the Six Nations rugby championships which see the Irish national team battle it out against England, France, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Lansdowne Park also hosts the finals of the Irish National Rugby Union. Rugby matches always generate a fantastic atmosphere and you don’t have to be an ardent rugby fan to get caught up in the enthusiasm. It is also an instant means of making some local friends. All you have to do is invest in a team jersey and sit on the correct side.
Lansdowne Park is currently being redeveloped and scheduled to accommodate 50,000 people by 2010. Because of this, certain rugby matches may take place in Croke Park while the renovations take place. Croke Park is Ireland’s largest sports stadium and the fifth largest in Europe and is the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). It is ordinarily used to host Gaelic games such as Gaelic football and hurling.
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