Spectator Sports in Ireland

Ireland is a sporting nation, with huge following for the major spectator sports and enthusiastic if smaller support for the more minor ones.

Ireland's Native Sports

FootballThe two sports which are played by most people and which attract the largest crowds of spectators are unquestionably Hurling and Gaelic Football, usually referred to simply as football.

Both are indigenous games which, although they are amateur sports, regularly play in front of crowds of 50,000 and more the 80,000 in the later stages of the annual competitions.

HurlingHurling is a very ancient game, mentioned in manuscripts dating back to the 13th century, and is renowned for its speed and the skill of its players.

Even if you are not a sports fan, try to take in a game during your time in Ireland - it is a spectacle worth experiencing. Camogie, the women's version of Hurling is equally skilful and although the crowds it attracts are not as large they are growing.

The All-Ireland Championship

In all these games there is strong inter-county rivalry, especially duringthe annual All Ireland Championships, the most prestigious competitions of the year. Top players are fetedlocal heroes and each county has its own colours, a nickname or more than one, and fans often have a favourite song.
There is more about this here.

Soccer & Rugby

After the native games these are the most widely played and popular sports in Ireland. Soccer has been played in Ireland since the late 19th century and the national team have had considerable success in recent years, with their fans getting to travel the World in support.

Rugby is longer around, the first team was established in 1854, but has a smaller though no less enthusiastic following. Limerick is the Irish rugby heartland, and if you visit the city you will hear just about everyone talking rugby in the days preceding important games.

Other Spectator Sports

Sports with a core support if not one as large as the major games, include Cricket, Basketball, Hockey and an Irish form of Handball. We will have more information about them here soon.

An unusual Irish sport is Road Bowling, which you may accidently come accross while in West Cork especially, as there are regular matches there all held along public roads!

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