Gaelic Games & Arts
When it comes to Gaelic Games, the County of Clare is split in two over its sporting preferences, with hurling belonging to the people of the East and Gaelic football belonging to the people of the West. During the summer months in Doonbeg and many other small towns and villages along the West Clare coast, players young and old can be seen practising their Gaelic football and hurling skills – either for fun or in local club competition matches.
Sundays tend to be competition days, both locally and at a national level. Ennis, County Clare, hosts club and inter-county hurling and football games in its stadium at Cusack Park (the website to visit for local and county match fixtures is www.ClareGAA.ie). If you’re looking to go further afield, neighbouring Co. Limerick plays host to inter-county hurling and football matches at Pairc na nGael. Of course, for the All Ireland semi finals and finals in both sports, the venue is the newly revamped 80,000 seat stadium at Croke Park in Dublin.
Sundays tend to be competition days, both locally and at a national level. Ennis, County Clare, hosts club and inter-county hurling and football games in its stadium at Cusack Park (the website to visit for local and county match fixtures is www.ClareGAA.ie). If you’re looking to go further afield, neighbouring Co. Limerick plays host to inter-county hurling and football matches at Pairc na nGael. Of course, for the All Ireland semi finals and finals in both sports, the venue is the newly revamped 80,000 seat stadium at Croke Park in Dublin.
Hurling - Try out the traditional Irish sport for which County Clare has won several "All Ireland" awards. This sport features a leather which players hit with a "hurley" or their hands in attempt to move the ball into the opponent's goal.
Gaelic Football - Another traditional sport, Gaelic Football is one of the most popular games in Ireland. Take in a match to experience the longstanding Irish love of sports.
Rugby - The Irish National Rugby Team has been vastly improving in recent years which has helped the sport to gain popularity in Ireland. Catch a game in Thomond Park in Limerick City to truly experience the roughness and intensity of Rugby.
Art - The Burren College of Art is in nearby Doonbeg and located in a 16th-century castle. The college offers graduate, undergraduate, and artist residency programmes.
Gaelic Football - Another traditional sport, Gaelic Football is one of the most popular games in Ireland. Take in a match to experience the longstanding Irish love of sports.
Rugby - The Irish National Rugby Team has been vastly improving in recent years which has helped the sport to gain popularity in Ireland. Catch a game in Thomond Park in Limerick City to truly experience the roughness and intensity of Rugby.
Art - The Burren College of Art is in nearby Doonbeg and located in a 16th-century castle. The college offers graduate, undergraduate, and artist residency programmes.