Whether you are planning a trip to the Emerald Isle to watch an international game of rugby or to witness one of Ireland’s most famous clubs compete, such as Munster or Leinster, or maybe you are going for a friendly or a school match, Ireland is an incredible place for a rugby weekend. Bars or a casino are fun places to meet people who like exchanging rugby stories or having a bit of banter.
Rugby is extremely popular in Ireland, and despite the differences between rugby league and rugby union, both are supported passionately around the country. They welcome supporters and teams with open arms from outside the country. However, the friendly people and their obsession for rugby is not the only thing that makes Ireland a unique spot for a rugby weekend. It is an incredibly beautiful country, with lots of things to do for people of all ages.
If you are planning on going during the ongoing pandemic, make sure to take all necessary precautions. Ireland appears to be through the worst of it, and beginning to operate as normal. They recently ended their mandatory hotel quarantine for travellers but be sure to check Ireland’s Covid-19 website for up to date information before your trip.
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Visit County Kerry and Watch GAA
County Kerry is one of the country’s most picturesque counties. People travel from all over the globe to see for themselves the beauty of “the Kingdom”. It is home to Ireland’s tallest mountain, along with lots of beaches, rivers, golf courses, bars, and restaurants.
There are a wide array of hotels, bed, and breakfasts, and guesthouses to choose from. The Kerry people are warm and friendly, who like to enjoy themselves. They are very proud of their county, especially when it comes to sport.
For a unique experience while you are in Kerry, check to see if there are any Gaelic Football games going on. There are small stadiums in nearly every town in Kerry, and if you are there during the season, you might be able to catch a game. If you have never witnessed the sport, it is a mixture between soccer and rugby, and Kerry has won the national championship more times than any other county. Although rugby is very popular in the county, Gaelic Football will always be the preferred sport.
It really is like a religion there. Tickets are very cheap, and it would be a great experience to bring a rugby team or supporters to see a game in real life. Although the final in Dublin each year attracts around 85,000 to the stadium, and the tickets don’t come cheap, the sport is non-professional. Even though the players don’t get paid for their services, they don’t ever back out of a tackle, something rugby fans know all about!
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Surfing in Lahinch
Surfing in Lahinch, Co. Galway is another pastime that many people enjoy. If people on the rugby tour have never surfed before, consider visiting a surf school for an enjoyable time learning a new sport. Not many people from outside of Ireland are aware that Ireland gets some of the best waves in Europe. The only issue is that the best swells appear during the colder times of the year. However, you might get lucky during the summer.
If surfing isn’t your thing, there is plenty to do in county Galway. From incredible links golf courses to horse riding on the beach, you are bound to have a fabulous time. Galway city itself has a lively nightlife. You can find a pub with live traditional Irish music playing every night of the week, and you can expect to see many Irish dancers enjoying themselves and showing off their skills. A lot of Galway’s population still speak Ireland’s national language, so don’t be worried if you don’t understand a word people are saying.
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Pubs, Clubs, and Casinos
If you are going for a party weekend with your rugby friends, Ireland provides tourists with a lively nightlife scene. There are traditional Irish pubs dotted all across the country. Each one of them serves Ireland’s most famous drink, Guinness, and often they have a long list of Irish whiskies to choose from.
Even in most small towns in Ireland, you can expect a nightclub. Although they might not be open every night of the week, you can expect large crowds during the weekends. In some cities and towns, especially in Cork city, bouncers are known to be strict on the people they allow entry. They might not let you in if they feel you have consumed too much alcohol or if they think you are not dressed appropriately.
In recent years, it seems there are more casinos opening in Ireland all the time. Betting on sports and gambling appears to be a traditional Irish pastime! If you can’t find a casino and want to place a bet, gambling is legal so you can find plenty of betting sites available online.
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Dublin for a Night Out
Most people who go to Ireland for a rugby weekend spend the whole time in Dublin. Ireland’s capital city is full of culture, history, beauty, and pubs. The multicultural city has everything you would want for a rugby getaway. It’s a small city, so it doesn’t take long to get from one place to the other, assuming the traffic isn’t too bad.
The Guinness factory is a very popular option with rugby fans and players. The impressive factory attracts people from all over the world. This tall building educates its guests on how the drink is produced, there is plenty of Guinness’s famous advertising on display, and you even get to try a pint at the top of the building in the sky bar. These are the freshest pints of Guinness in the world, so don’t miss out!
Ireland is not a cheap country to travel to, especially in Dublin. The price of accommodation, food, and drink in Ireland’s capital will end up burning a hole in your wallet. Shop around for hotels and bed and breakfasts before you book your flights. It may be wise to be prudent with your cash and avoid betting on rugby if you don’t know much about it.
