Undoubtedly the country’s best stadium, GAA HQ is arguably Ireland’s only world-class sports ground. Are there many things better than travelling out to Jones’ Road to watch your county on a summer’s day?
2. Thomond Park
Credit: INPHO/Billy Stickland
Capacity: 26,500
The home of Munster rugby, redeveloped in 2008, will also house Airtricity League Premier Division newcomers Limerick FC this season while Markets Field is redeveloped. On a good night, the atmosphere at Thomond is unrivalled by Munster’s rival provinces.
3. Aviva Stadium/Lansdowne Road
Credit: INPHO
Capacity: 51,700
Lansdowne Road, the Aviva Stadium… call it what your want, it’s our main international venue and one of the oldest sports stadiums in Europe. The home supporters have received a fair amount of stick in recent weeks and many argue that new North Stand looks out of place but it’s ours and we love it.
4. Semple Stadium
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Credit: INPHO/James Crombie
Capacity: 53,500
Ireland's second largest stadium capacity-wise, the ground formerly known as Thurles Sportsfield is the top hurling venue. Who remembers Féile?
5. Dalymount Park
Credit: INPHO
Capacity: 7,955
Dalyer may have seen better days and is rarely full when Bohemians host Airtricity League games but those lucky enough to witness the glory days when 40-odd thousand would pack themselves in for an FAI Cup final or an Irish international will tell you how special the nights were.
6. Tallaght Stadium
Credit: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Capacity: 6,000
It may have taken an age to build but the ground which ended Shamrock Rovers' homeless spell is currently the best the League of Ireland has to offer.
7. Ravenhill
Credit: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Capacity: 11,400
"Nothing like Ravenhill of a Friday night," according to one of TheScore.ie writers. Currently undergoing major refurbishments which are due to be finished in 2015.
8. St Tiernach's Park, Clones
Credit: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Capacity: 36,000
An extremely atmospheric stadium when full to capacity.
9. Fraher Field, Dungarvan
Credit: INPHO/James Crombie
Capacity: 15,000
In Durgarvan, Co. Waterford, Fraher Field is far from the biggest but the picturesque backdrop sets it apart.
10. Páirc Uí Rinn
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Credit: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Credit: 16,440
Formerly a soccer ground to a number of teams named Flower Lodge, it was purchased by the Cork County Board in 1989 and named after Christy Ring.
Ohhhhh the Leinster boys are not gonna like this .. In all seriousness, Thomand, the Sportsground, the RDS and Ravenhill are better than the Aviva for atmosphere .. And nothing beats Thurles for the Munster Hurling Championship!
Three sides of croke park ARE world class but..hill 16 end of ground looks like the builders pulled out before finishing ..lacks uniformity, symmetry…please tell me there are plans to finish it in a manner in keeping with remainder of stadium
Its Just been announced that Breffni Park in Cavan will host the first game of the International Rules Series. It’ll be the first time there’ll be a full house since probably 1997. Current capacity is 32,000. Can’t wait. I’ve become a huge Rugby fan over the last ten years and been to some great games, but there I’ve never experienced atmosphere like an important championship match for your county, So Ulster finals in Clones will always be pretty special to me.
Best atmospheres experienced in Ireland have been at Ireland football games at the old LR, following by some great hurling days in Croke Park. Ireland V Italy in Croke Park deserves a mention as well.
Thus far the new LR has yet to deliver, or more so the teams have yet to deliver there.
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Ohhhhh the Leinster boys are not gonna like this .. In all seriousness, Thomand, the Sportsground, the RDS and Ravenhill are better than the Aviva for atmosphere .. And nothing beats Thurles for the Munster Hurling Championship!
Pairc Ui Rinn is a bit of a red herring. Fitzgerald stadium, turner’s cross and the rds to name a few are better venues
Full house in Thomond Park – no atmosphere anywhere like it !
1. Semple Stadium, Thurles, packed on a summer’s day for a hurling match.
2. Everything else.
Fraher Field gets in for a scenic backdrop and Fitzgerald Stadium is omitted!
The sportsgrounds in Galway should be here. Great atmosphere last week for the win against ospreys!
Three sides of croke park ARE world class but..hill 16 end of ground looks like the builders pulled out before finishing ..lacks uniformity, symmetry…please tell me there are plans to finish it in a manner in keeping with remainder of stadium
Where’s the RDS?
It’s in Ballsbridge, near enough to the US embassy.
What about AUGHRIM!!
Its Just been announced that Breffni Park in Cavan will host the first game of the International Rules Series. It’ll be the first time there’ll be a full house since probably 1997. Current capacity is 32,000. Can’t wait. I’ve become a huge Rugby fan over the last ten years and been to some great games, but there I’ve never experienced atmosphere like an important championship match for your county, So Ulster finals in Clones will always be pretty special to me.
its all about Pairc Tailteann for me
Best atmospheres experienced in Ireland have been at Ireland football games at the old LR, following by some great hurling days in Croke Park. Ireland V Italy in Croke Park deserves a mention as well.
Thus far the new LR has yet to deliver, or more so the teams have yet to deliver there.