My brother lives right by the football pitch, I've gone to a few games with him here. It's division…read moreone football so you are not going to see the most poetic soccer but they have their moments. The fan-base is loyal which is a good thing because they have been through their shares of highs and lows, especially with their money problems a few years ago which lead to a few players walking. But they are still fighting on and I try to catch a game when I can. It's a really convenient location if you want to go for dinner or a few drinks after as it's less then a minute walk from the main street. It's also just a few minutes on the bus from the city centre or you could easily walk to it too.

If you're visiting Dublin and looking for a free, relaxed tourist spot to visit I'd highly…read morerecommend coming to Phoenix Park, one of the largest public parks in Ireland. We taxied up from city center to Phoenix Park and it wasn't too far. There are local bars and such not too far from the park if you need a snack or brew before hitting the park. We were told that this park sometimes hosts concerts and some major events, even that Obama had visited and spoke during one of his trips. The park is lush, spacious and with lots of nature to see. My favorite thing about this park is the free roaming deer that you can see. They are extremely friendly and gentle. It's so unique to get an experience like this to walk with deer and to have them be so comfortable that you can approach them and that there were so many. A beautiful place to spend an hour or two in nature and not far from Dublin City, worth checking out.

I didn't explore too much of Phoenix Park, just the end near the Wellington Monument. But what I…read moredid see is super. The park is one of the largest enclosed recreational spaces in any European capital city. 1700 acres, it's home to the Dublin Zoo, the Flower Gardens and more. Lots of walking paths. Lots of monuments including the Wellington. Lots of meadows and woodlands and landscaped spots. The park is peaceful even with the buses running along its main avenue. There are a number of benches and lots of space for laying out a blanket for a picnic. Well worth the time to explore. [Review 1986 of 2024 - 167 in Republic of Ireland - 23008 overall]

I think Donna is being a bit harsh there. It's certainly a different style of football to what…read moreyou'd find in the Premier League, and players skill levels aren't even comparable. But that doesn't mean it's not entertaining football. It's a much faster, more competitive, game. Teams press right up the length of the pitch, lots of up front tackles and a near GAA style emphasis on hassling the opposition at every opportunity. It's scrappy, frantic football with the(very) occasional flash of genius. But you can't say it's not dramatic, and that's what you really want. Football is, afterall, just a soap opera for men. And teams do have strong followings, especially some of the Dublin based ones like Bohemians and St. Pats. Even Fingal, a new team of only a few seasons, have gathered a fairly loyal following. And then there's the story from a season or two ago about Drogheda. The locals and supporters embarked on a massive fundraising campaign to save the club from going into administration-and succeeded. Not bad for a league with no fans.

What does it mean to be a football fan?…read more To fly Ryanair to home games? To worry about venture-capitalists from the Middle East or the East Coast (and I don't mean Dublin) sinking your club on a 'bad gamble'? To have branded microwaves, cuddly toys and bedsheets in the 'Megastore'? The late and very great Jock Stein once remarked that football without fans is nothing. How right he was. I firmly believe few leagues have fans as passionate as the beautiful game does in Ireland. SRFC Ultras, the Notorious Boo Boys, the Shed End Invincibes, The Jungle Boys, Forza Rovers and other fans groups have made this league what it is. It is a game based mainly in working class communities, and if you look at Pats as just one example you have a team based in a corner of the city for 80+ years. Grandfathers (and grandmothers, we always forget the female faithful!) bring their grandchildren to this league. Never mind the begrudgers from McUnited, if people think the football isn't up to scratch than start investing in the game here and change that! The beautiful game is very much at the heart of the capital. NO AL CALCIO MODERNO ;)

My old soccer coach used to also be the goalkeeper coach for St. Pat's, so as a result he would…read morealways give us free tickets if we played well. So because we played really well, I got to go a lot and I kept it up after I graduated. It's a fine ground, they kept the pitch immaculate. It can be an icebox in the winter, especially in the stands so wear lots of layers. I have been to women's internationals there before too, so you can get to see other teams which is always fun.

A local institution here in West Dublin, and one with a big place in my heart…read more I've seen Osam, I've seen Fahey, I've seen flares and I've seen last minute heartbreak and last minute lunacy. I've ran on to this pitch. I've almost cried in those stands. I've watched from behind both goals, in the stand, in the 'new stand', on the glorious camac and on the hill. I've walked in every gate and sometimes come in up the laneway. I've finished most nights in Toni's chipper. I've rang friends in the away section to laugh or shout down a phone at a decision. I'll bring my children (if I'm lucky enough to have some!) in years to come. We're not Man United, we're locals. You can't buy this.

Our visit to the new Aviva stadium reviewed the mass shooting of the crowd by the Brits…read more View film Michael Collins for a history

I had a wonderful time!! Nice size stadium and the concessions stand had the staple. Your ticket…read moredoes not guarantee seat, from what I saw. In my section a group of people took seat and refuse to move when the actual ticket holders show up. No the security was no help, those people stood 10 toes down for stolen seats. Lolol. Just an fyi show up early if you want the seats u paid for..lol!!!

Well equipped sporting goods and equipment store. Helpful staff were able to direct us to what we…read moreneeded

This original Elverys on Suffolk street feels like it's been around forever, open since 1847. Its…read morepretty much the best stocked sports shop i've ever been too. Although they've expanded in a big way across our little Island, this Dublin city centre store still is sill the best of the lot. From Leitrim GAA Jerseys to Connaught sweatshirts and the latest football strips from the UK and beyond. They do more then the above though, with Elverys stocking everything from Archery equipment to darts as well equipment for lesser played sports, in Ireland anyway, such as cricket and squash. Worth a look if your looking for that hard to find county jersey or if you take up baseball.

Terrific shop, and a must-visit for any supporter of ultra / independent football culture…read more The place is chock-ful of retro sports gear - from classic Tacchini tracksuits to classic football strips to St.Pauli merchandise. Price-wise, they're quite reasonable, and very competitive if you were to try to buy similar gear by mail order from abroad. Good selection of independent fanzines, and the English geezer who runs it is dead sound as well. I've reluctantly deducted 1 star because this place is actually quite hard to find. They were trading on Crow St for a few years, and their old shopfront is still there. They might be well advised putting a sign up on their old premises re-directing punters to their new shop. But, when you do eventually find it, the place is a treasure trove.

From the owner: We are Irelands sole stockists of Copa Football,Fc St Pauli,Goalsoul and official suppliers to…read moreYBIG(You Boys In Green),we also stock a large collection of books and football publications. We also have a large range of Retro jerseys and Jackets

I don't understand how people can give parks less than 5 stars - I mean c'mon - it's a space a city…read morehas turned into a chill spot for everyone and anyone. I walked here all the way from the hotel I was staying at - Hotel Clayton. The walk was quite nice, the park is located near some quaint neighborhoods. There are several entrances to the park so it isn't hard to miss. The park goes across streets so you have to cross certain parts of the park in order to fully see the WHOLE PARK. They have a bunch of flower beds that are really pretty as you walk thru the park. There is a little pond area where swans populate - I saw a couple people feeding them but I now know that isn't the best thing. So just FYI; it doesn't help them if you feed them. Even during a weekday - the park had a lot more people than I thought it would. And it was a gloomy day too - but let's face it - it's Ireland, it's gloomy sometime during the day everyday. lol. All in all - a great park!

Summer nights require playing ball in the park…read more Sunday there was some local kids playing a match on one of the pitches, it made me all nostalgic. Still a fan of the all weather courts chiefly because the space is surrounded by fencing so I don't have to run after any stray shots... I'm not the Maradona I once was... Ah age is a cruel thing as is copious amounts of beer over the years.