Page 34 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

32  INTRODUCING IRELAND

The Sporting Year

All major international team sports are played
in Ireland, but the most popular games are
the two uniquely native ones of Gaelic football
and hurling. Most of the big games, plus soccer
and rugby internationals, are sold out well in
advance. However, if you can’t get a ticket you’ll The North West 200 is the fastest motorcycle
find plenty of com pany with whom to watch the race in the world over public roads – held
event in pubs. Horse racing, with over 240 days near Portstewart (see p264).
of racing a year, attracts fanatical support. For
those keen on participatory sports, there are
also Ireland’s famous fishing Irish Football League
waters and golf courses Cup – Northern
Ireland’s final
(see pp342–7).
Round-Ireland
Four-day national Yacht Race – held
hunt racing every two years
festival at
Punchestown
The Irish Grand National
is a gruelling steeplechase
run at Fairyhouse in
County Meath.

January February March April May June July

Irish Champion The International
Hurdle, run at Rally of the Lakes
Leopardstown, is a prestigious car
County Dublin rally around the
Lakes of Killarney
(see pp166–7).
The Six Nations Rugby Tournament,
Start of the salmon between Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England,
fishing season France and Italy, runs until April. Ireland play
their home games at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
The Irish Open Golf Champion ship is
held at a different course each year and
Key to Seasons attracts a world-class field to courses such
Hurling as Ballybunion in County Kerry.
Gaelic football
Flat racing
National Hunt racing
Rugby
The Irish Derby,
Association football Ireland’s premier flat
Salmon fishing race, attracts many of
Equestrianism Europe’s best three-
year-olds to The
Curragh (see p135).

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