Ireland’s national sports are hurling and Gaelic football, ancient games that are hugely exciting to watch. Soccer, rugby and horse racing are also very popular, with tickets for big events selling out fast. For the active visitor, Dublin offers a whole host of sports from high-adrenaline activities like abseiling, go-karting and paragliding to more sedate pastimes. Dublin’s location on the coast ensures a full range of water-based activities, while inland there are numerous golf courses that are increasingly taking over the countryside around the city. The public parks have pitches marked out for hurling, football and rugby, as well as basketball and tennis courts, which are all free to the public.
Adventure sportsAdventure Activities Ltd, 5 Trintonville Ave, T 01 668 8047. High-adrenaline sports in and around Dublin. Phone for rates. Hang-gliding and Paragliding Centre, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow, T 01 830 3884. Take to the skies south of the city. Phone for rates. Sea Safari, Malahide Marina, Malahide, T 01 806 1626, http://www.seasafari.ie Daily depending on the weather. E25 per person, E80 family. Minimum age 8. Cruise the coast in a rigid inflatable with full wet gear provided. The one-hour ‘thrill seeker’ is fast and furious, but there are more leisurely options.
Gaelic football and hurlingCroke Park, Jones Rd, Drumcondra, T 01 836 3222, http://www.gaa.ie Ticket office Mon-Fri 0900-1730. Ticket prices vary. This the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, which governs both Gaelic football and hurling, and hosts major club and county matches. Tickets, which may be upwards of E12 for a high-profile competition, go on sale via the website up to ten days before a match. No phone bookings.
Go-kartingKylemore Indoor Karting, Killeen Rd, Killeen, T 01 626 1444, http://www.kylemore-karting.com Daily 1000-late. E15-30. Karts travel at up to 40 mph around two tracks, allowing boy and girl racers to speed around 20 times in ten minutes. Helmets, gloves, racing suits and training are provided.
GolfEdmonstown Golf Club, Rathfarnham, T 01 493 1082, http://www.edmonstowngolfclub.ie E55 Mon-Fri, E65 Sat and Sun. This 18-hole golf course is close to Dublin city centre, and is surrounded by pretty parkland with the Wicklow Mountains as a striking backdrop.
Greyhound racingBoth courses in Dublin have been recently upgraded to offer a full evening’s entertainment, with restaurants and bars to supplement the racing and betting. Harold’s Cross Racetrack, 151 Harold’s Cross Rd, T 01 497 1081. Mon, Tue and Fri from 2000. E7. Shelbourne Park Stadium, Lotts Rd, Ringsend, T 01 668 3502. Wed, Thu and Sat from 2000. E7.
Horse racingLeopardstown Racecourse, Foxrock, T 01 289 3607, http://www.leopardstown.com Grandstand E12-16. Twenty-two fixtures – a mixture of national hunt and flat racing – are held here each year. The best events are the four-day Leopardstown Festival, which starts on St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day), and the weekend meetings throughout June and July.
Ice-skatingIn December and January there are open-air ice rinks at Smithfield and beside the river at North Wall Quay.
RugbyLansdowne Road Stadium, Lansdowne Rd, Ballsbridge, T 01 668 9300. Ticket office Mon-Fri 0900-1700. E4-60. International matches take place here from August to May. Details are available from the Irish Rugby Football Union, T 01 668 4601, http://www.irfu.ie
SailingIrish National Sailing School, Marine Activity Centre, West Pier, Dun Laoghaire, T 01 284 4195, http://www.inss.ie Intensive sailing courses around Dun Laoghaire harbour are offered throughout the year. Phone for prices.
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