Page 344 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

342  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Sports, Outdoor Activities and Touring

Even in the largest Irish cities, the countryside is never far have excellent dining facilities.
away, and it beckons alluringly to every lover of the great Croke Park hosts Gaelic football
outdoors. Spec tator sports in Ireland are focused on horse and hurl ing matches. Interna-
racing, followed by hurling, Gaelic foot ball and soccer, which tional rug by and soccer
make for very exciting viewing. Those who want to do more matches are usually held at
the Aviva Stadium, Ireland’s
than just watch, can choose from fishing, golf, horse riding, most impressive sports stadium.
sailing, cycling, walking and water sports, all of which can be For soccer tickets, contact the
enjoyed throughout the country or via designated routes along Football Association of Ireland.
the coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way. In addition to the contacts Rugby enthusiasts should get
on pages 346–7, Fáilte Ireland in the Republic, the Northern in touch with the Irish Rugby
Ireland Tourist Board and all local tourist offices have inform a­ Football Union.
For golfers, the annual high-
tion on spectator and participant sports. For details of main light is the Irish Open Golf
events in the sporting calendar, see pages 32–3. Championship in July. The ven ue
varies from year to year. For tickets,
contact the European Tour.

Fishing
With some of the cleanest
stretches of freshwater found in
all of Europe, Ireland is a paradise
for anglers. Coarse, game and sea
fishing are all very popular. The
lakes and rivers are home to
bream, pike, perch and roach.
Coastal rivers yield the famous
Irish salmon, along with other
game fish. Sea trout and brown
trout also offer anglers a
challenge. Flounder, whiting,
mullet, bass and coalfish will
tempt the sea angler, while
National Hunt hurdle racing at Punchestown Racecourse deep-sea excursions chase
abundant supplies of dogfish,
Wild Atlantic Way racecourse, where the Irish Derby shark, skate and ling. The Cork
The world’s longest defined is held, is The Curragh (see p135). and Kerry coastline is a highly
coastal touring route, the Wild Fairyhouse Racecourse, home favoured starting point for
Atlantic Way stretches from the of Ireland’s Grand National, is a sea-angling trips.
Inishowen Peninsula in County popular spot year-round, but Clonanav Fly Fishing Centre
Donegal to Kinsale in County especially around Christmas near Clonmel, County Waterford,
Cork. The driving route passes when punters descend to lay
through nine counties along bets on the annual races. A
the coast and is considered the fixture of the racing scene since
ultimate way to explore one of 1824, Punchestown Racecourse
the most dramatic coastlines in County Kildare has a capacity
in the world. Road signs are of 80,000 people. Dublin’s
marked with the Wild Atlantic Leopardstown Racecourse has
Way symbol to guide visitors year-round racing.
driving around the region and Galway Race Week in late July
ideas for pre-planned itineraries, is a great social event. A racing
attractions, activities and sights calendar for the whole of Ireland,
on the route are comprehensively available from Horse Racing
detailed on the Wild Atlantic Ireland, lists National Hunt
Way website or can be obtained and flat race meets, which
from tourist information centres. occur on 230 days of the year.
There are also 19 greyhound
stadia operating in the Republic.
Spectator Sports
The best known are Dublin’s
The Irish passion for horse Shelbourne Park and Harold’s Fishing in the canal at Robertstown,
racing is legendary. A leading Cross Stadium, both of which County Kildare (see p134)

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