When the Six Nations Championship kicks off on 2 February, the sense of excitement among Irish rugby fans will be palpable. As the Irish team goes head-to-head with France in Marseille, Dublin’s army of rugby fans will crowd into the city’s pubs to cheer on their team and enjoy a few pints.
Win, lose or draw, the atmosphere will be upbeat and good natured and will mark the start of a party that will continue over the five rounds of the championship.
For a really memorable rugby weekend, head to Dublin when the city is hosting Six Nation matches on 11 and 24 February and 16 March.
The games will be played in the city’s state-of-the-art, 50,000-capacity Aviva Stadium and the game-day excitement will be off the chart. If you’re lucky enough to get a ticket, you’ll experience a truly remarkable atmosphere as local and visiting fans cheer on their teams, bidding to out-sing each other in their support.
If you can’t get a ticket, don’t worry. There are plenty of buzzing bars near the stadium where you can watch the match on the big screen and where the atmosphere will be just as electric.
Try Searsons on Baggot Street, where famous Irish writers Patrick Kavanagh and Brendan Behan used to hang out, or The Bridge 1859 owned by Irish rugby stars Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney and the perfect place to watch the match. Ryans Beggars Bush, also near the stadium, is over 100 years old and claims to serve the best pint of Guinness in the area.