The full-on experience of watching sports in Ireland

Why not do what the Irish do when in Ireland? Sports are a particular passion of the Irish, at the very least, as a spectator. To get a true sense of how sports affect Irish culture, one should go to one of the several games, fixings and other gatherings that take place all year long, all of which can be found on television, radio and in the newspapers.

Watching a horse race or a football match has long been a popular pastime in Ireland. The Emerald Isle seems to have a rich history, particularly where horse races are concerned. But with so many Irish websites available online, which are the best ones to use? Before participating in the action, it might be a good idea to get familiar with the best Irish-based bookies by taking a look at the ultimate guide to betting in IE.

Best spectator sports to watch in Ireland

Gaelic football

Soccer-like until a player takes the ball and runs away with it in a rugby-like manner. Soccer and rugby are both considered by some to be distorted versions of this brand of football by game historians. Football is more popular than hurling, so it’s possible to play almost anywhere.

Hurling

As the “world’s fastest game,” hurling is played on a football-sized field by two teams armed with sticks (hurleys). This is a game where the ball can be nudged along the ground, carried on the hurley, or smacked in the air like a baseball. Talents such as agility, speed and accuracy are in high demand. New spectators will be in awe of even the most junior matches.

Rugby

Rugby‘s public schools used to play football in this manner, which is essentially an English game rather than an Irish one. Since then, the Six Nations, as well as other international events like the World Cup, have become immensely popular. When Leinster is trying to play at the RDS in Dublin, the global Heineken League attracts large crowds.

Soccer

Most clubs in Ireland’s professional soccer league, the Eircom League, are struggling financially. Players like George Best and Roy Keane became hugely successful in Ireland as a “feeder operation” for English and Scottish clubs. Both the Republic and Northern Ireland have their own national teams, which draw large crowds for international matches.

Golf

Every time a high-profile tournament is held in Ireland, large crowds of spectators gather to watch the world’s best golfers compete. Watching and playing golf are popular pastimes in Ireland. At times, the game can feel a little too crowded for the players. In a nutshell? Unless players are on one of the world’s most prestigious championship courses, they can expect to spend modest green fees.

Horse racing

Horses are big business in Ireland; nearly every larger town has a shop connected to horse racing, and major races are broadcast live on television. Any horse racing event is sure to draw a large crowd of enthusiastic spectators. Those into fashion shouldn’t miss Ladies’ Day at major events like Galway Race Week or the Festive races at Fairyhouse!

Showjumping

After a few missteps and scandals, Irish showjumping is still among the best in Europe, even despite the setbacks. Individual stars or members of the Irish Army’s Equestrian School are all examples of this phenomenon. Dublin Horse Show, held at RDS Showgrounds in the summer and often drawing riders and guests from around the world, is the main event.

Camogie

Camogie has grown in popularity in recent years despite not attracting as many spectators as football or hurling. To put it another way, this is an easier version of hurling that is only for female athletes (readers can make of that what they will). It’s still a fast-paced and exciting game, albeit a little less intense.

Boxing

Many of the Irish enjoy an honest fistfight, and boxing events are popular. Irish boxers have occasionally achieved international success, and public interest in the sport goes in and out of cycles. There is a sub-genre of unauthorised fights, some of which are fought with bare knuckles, but tourists should steer clear of these encounters.

Greyhound racing

The poor man’s racehorse, so the saying goes, are greyhounds. As a result, tens of thousands of animals are bred solely for the purpose of racing, and those that don’t perform well are euthanised. In spite of this, greyhound races remain extremely popular, with reputable breeders and trainers tending to rule these circles.

Volleyball

In Ireland, volleyball is gaining in popularity. It’s a fast-paced, high-energy sport that also requires a lot of skill. Volleyball is a popular after-school sport for more than a hundred thousand students, and that number is expected to continue to rise. In addition, the Volleyball Association of Ireland has over 400 member schools, and they hope to increase this number in the coming years.

The editorial unit