Before you go thinking I'm a rugby fan, I'm totally not. Which is why I'm reviewing the stadium, and not Ulster Rugby. Just so we're clear on that. Give me football any day...
When I was a mere youngster (well, 14/15), my friend lived a few doors down from Ravenhill in Ravenhill Park, and we spent many hours mucking around the area. I was completely enthralled by the fact that she could see rugby matches from her window...wow. Cheapest seat in the house!
After that, I went to two School's Cup Finals (again, rugby) to watch them play. Going to an all girls school, we appreciated this favourable day (which just so happens to fall on St Patrick's Day each year), when could all go and eye up the 'talent'...the boys in shorts that is. My friends and I supported RBAI those two years, and the second time we went, I was dating a guy from Inst (as it's more commonly known), so I was even able to wear his old rugby shirt.
The stadium itself is pretty huge, and apparently seats in the region of 12,00 people, though there were never that number there at the School's Cup. We used to stand on the Terraces, which line one side of Ravenhill, but there are also seats and corporate boxes.
In 2009, a new stand was opened by Peter Robinson at one of the Ulster matches, so things have been upgraded ever so slightly since I was last there three years ago, and rightfully so. Ravenhill is a national sporting stadium, and allows Northern Ireland, as well as the three other ROI counties which make up Ulster, to showcase its rugby talent, and the facilities ensure this is the case.
Unfortunately, rugby matches are the only sport that can be watched at Ravenhill, but I reckon it's an appropriate home for Ulster. The team usually play on Friday nights (as far as I'm aware), so it would a lovely choice of venue for an unusual date. Think of all those muscly men girls... read more