The Aviva Stadium located in Dublin is the third largest stadium in Ireland. Built in 2010, the stadium sits on the site of Lansdowne Road stadium which was demolished in 2007 after being home to both the Irish Rugby Union Team and Republic of Ireland Football team for 135 years. In fact at the time of its destruction, Lansdowne was one of the oldest stadiums in the world. The two teams now call the Aviva stadium their home, which was renamed in 2009 after Aviva claimed the naming rights. The stadium is home to the nation's major rugby matches.
The 51,700 capacity stadium is notable due to its bowl shape curvature, designed and built with a 'wave-like' roof which avoids blocking light to nearby residential areas. It has even won a British Construction Industry Award! All seats in the stadium are covered, with 10,000 premium seats and 1,300 box seats available.
Dublin is famed for its atmosphere and matchday experience – the sweeping curves of the stadium create a cacophonous noise that sweeps through the stadium, and in 2015, England’s visit to the Aviva Stadium will bring the top two teams for the 2014 Championship together for a head-to-head that may define the tournament.
Local Pubs
The Aviva Stadium is located in a fairly residential area, but pubs can be found if you look hard enough.
One of the most popular pubs of the area is Rody Bolands, well known for its spacious and comfortable atmosphere and good food and drink.
If you're looking for something really close by however, The Bath is probably a better option. The pub underwent a major renovation in 2012, and offers one of the best south facing beer gardens in the area. The pub serves a multitude of domestic and international craft beers alongside a selection of fine spirits including gin and whiskey. The food is also good, with premium artisan pizzas available during all opening hours. The Bath can be found a short walk away from the Stadium on Bath Avenue.
Slatterlys Bar is also a stone's throw from the stadium on Capel Street, and offers a comfortable venue in which to reflect on the match of the day. As a large space, this bar is perfect for groups.
Local Attractions
Dublin is undoubtedly a city that never stands still, and is a must see city to tick off your bucket list if you can.
Dublin is perhaps most famously known for its nightlife and shopping, and is popular with tourists. If you are looking for a good night out most people head to Temple Bar which is home to a whole host of pubs and bars that are open to the early hours. The Temple Bar area of Dublin is also home to a large shopping area.
For those that are looking for a little more culture and history, hop-on hop-off bus tours are a great way to see the city and visit landmarks such as The Guinness Storehouse (which is a must-see), Trinity College and Dublin Zoo. The tour also takes you past famous sites such as the houses of those famous Dubliners Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and James Joyce.
Did You Know
The railway line for the neighbouring Lansdowne station runs directly underneath the West Stand. Architects struggled to find a solution for this when designing the stadium, but a protective shell was eventually built around the railway and fans can now access the turnstiles and concourses via The Podium.
The stadium cost a grand total of €410 million to construct.