Top 5 most popular sports played in Ireland
Irish people are some of the best athletes in the world. As such, let’s take a look at the top five most popular sports played in Ireland.
Ireland has been the product of some of the best sports figures across the world. Irish athletes have really put a dent in the world of sport and have been extremely successful in putting Ireland on the sporting map.
Some of these sports originate in Ireland, while some of them were made across the world. Nonetheless, let’s take a look at the most popular sports played in Ireland.
5. Hurling
Hurling is Ireland’s national sport and is one of the fastest ball games in the world. It’s a quintessentially Irish sport that is fast-paced, dangerous, and, most of all, highly skilled.
This sport, an Irish invention like no other, is played by two teams of 15, with each player equipped with a hurl.
Being the national sport of the Emerald Isle, many kids grow up with a hurl in hand, out in the street or in a field, hitting the ball back and forth with their friends, siblings, or their parents.
It’s a sport that is integral to Irish heritage. As such, with the large number of Irish people emigrating abroad throughout the years, it is a popular sport in Canada and the US, many parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and many more countries around the world.
4. Gaelic
Much like hurling, Gaelic football is a sport that originates in Ireland. As such, it is an important part of Irish culture.
An enigma to anyone who hasn’t played it before, players can bounce, kick, and pass the ball to play. Despite being the most played sport in Ireland, it remains an amateur sport.
As such, it is one of the only sports where players and coaches receive no money for playing.
Just like hurling, you will find kids all over the country growing up playing Gaelic with their friends, in schools, or in clubs outside of school. Gaelic is a skilled and fast-paced sport that is now played and followed all over the world.
3. Football/soccer
Football is one of the most popular sports, if not THE most popular sport, on earth. As such, it’s no shock that it is one of the most popular sports in Ireland, as well.
Both the south and the north have their own national teams and leagues. Plus, it’s a sport that is played every day in schools, clubs, and for leisure exercise and activity!
While an extremely popular sport to watch and play, it is the third most popular sport in Ireland behind Gaelic and Hurling.
In a time where there is more interest in women’s sports, it has been a pleasure to watch more interest unfold in the women’s football teams in both the north and the south in the last year or so.
2. Rugby
Rugby is a sport that is adored by Irish people. Unlike football teams in Ireland, the men’s and women’s national rugby teams are comprised of players from both the north and the south.
Some of the Hall of Fame rugby players throughout the years have hailed from Ireland. Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara are two of the biggest reasons why rugby is so popular in Ireland.
People in Ireland watch and play rugby from a young age, with certain schools favouring the sport over football for their students.
Finally, the Six Nations is a tournament that is watched religiously by fans from Ireland all over the world. Hundreds of thousands of people tune in or turn up to cheer for Ireland and, of course, sing ‘Ireland’s Call’ with pride.
- Golf
The fifth and final most popular sport in Ireland is golf. A more slow-paced but highly skilled sport, there are many prestigious golf clubs and world-class courses throughout the country.
There are around 300 golf courses in the country, with many of the coastal courses being links-style. Furthermore, many of these courses are consistently ranked in the top 100 in Europe and the world.
Some of the best across the country include the Royal County Down, the Royal Portrush, and the Portmarnock Hotel Golf Course.
Golf is both a spectator and active participant sport in Ireland and throughout the world. Some of the most popular golfers in Irish history are Shane Lawrie, Rory McIlroy, and Padraig Harrington.
