The Irish Sporting Bucket List — 10 Unmissable Events You Need To Attend Before You Die

James Fenton

It’s fair to say here in Ireland we are absolutely mad for our sport.

While the sweet smell of triumph and the bitter taste of defeat have been experienced by everyone at some point or another, there may be some unmissable events that you are yet to attend.

Here’s a list of some of our favourites for you to tick off your list:

1. Munster hurling final

AKA a battle for the right to lose the All-Ireland final to Kilkenny.

We all know the Cats have been consistently the best team in the country for decades now but Munster is where the real competition is at.

Every year at the start of July in Thurles, any one of Clare, Cork, Tipperary, Waterford or Limerick genuinely all have a chance of lifting the trophy after what is usually one of the fiercest matches of sport you’ll ever see.

Attending is nothing short of an absolute pleasure.

2. Galway Races

High quality sporting action, loadsa pints and great weather (sometimes). Basically the best session of the year.

2017’s edition runs from Monday July 31 to Sunday August 6.

3. Any League of Ireland match

Irish soccer fans could get their fix watching Chelsea v Man United from the comfort of their sofa on a Sunday afternoon.

Or, they could get out to any number of League of Ireland stadiums around the country and experience the pure atmosphere of real football before their very eyes.

If this video doesn’t convince you we don’t know what will:

4. Katie Taylor fight

It would be a shame to miss one of Ireland’s greatest ever sportspeople before she retires. If rumours are to be believed, she could be having a professional fight on home soil sooner rather than later.

5. Irish Open

From July 6-9 this year, Rory McIlroy will look to defend his title in front of his home fans at Portstewart Golf Club alongside some of the game’s biggest names.

6. A Munster v Leinster match

One of the biggest rivalries in Irish sport, the atmosphere is always immense, whether it’s at Thomand park, the RDS or the Aviva Stadium.

7. Follow Ireland abroad

Anyone who was at the Euros in France last year will know what we’re talking about. The camaraderie created amongst the Irish (and any other nation we encounter) is always noted and remembered by the hosts.

8. A women’s rugby international

Not many Irish sports teams get a chance to win a World Cup on home soil. The Irish women’s team have just that opportunity when they host the global tournament this coming August.