Sport in Ireland..
Ireland has a renowned sporting history. From it's worldwide success at spectator sports, including: rugby, football, golf, boxing, cycling, horse racing, running and snooker, to its popular spots for golf, fishing, cycling, walking and water sports, Ireland has something to offer all of it's sports-minded visitors.
Gaelic football and hurling, along with Camogie, Ladies' Gaelic football, handball and rounders, make up the national sports of Ireland, known as Gaelic Games. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), an all-Ireland, 32-county sporting body, governs these sports. Croke Park, in Dublin, hosts the major GAA matches and attendances at these games reach up to seventy thousand people.
The Irish rugby team includes players from both Northern Ireland and the Republic. Each year the country takes part in the Six Nations Championships and Triple Crown. Over the years the Irish team has performed well on the world stage, winning the Triple Crown seven times and making it to the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup on two occasions. The team plays its home games at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.
The Republic of Ireland also has a popular Football team. The national team play more than one hundred matches a year. In recent years the Irish have qualified for a number of World Cup and European Cup championships. Football is one of Ireland's most popular sports, with more than 180 000 people playing at various levels.
For those seeking outdoor pursuits, Ireland is home to more that 300 golf courses, including the world-class Mount Juliet (designed by Jack Nicklaus). The country also plays host to some of the finest coarse, game and sea fishing in the world. The beautiful Irish countryside offers some wonderful routes for cycling enthusiasts, especially the areas in and around Limerick, Waterford and Galway. Walking routes, such as the Wicklow Way, offer a network of established scenic trails through the Irish countryside.
Whether you are interested in watching sport, or taking part in outdoor activities, Ireland has something to offer all of its visitors.
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