traveldk.com

Also known as the Kerrygold Horse Show, this is one of the world’s top international equestrian events. Eleven competitions take place over the five-day event drawing more than 20,000 spectators.

The oldest stadium in the Six Nations Tournament holds 48,000 irrepressible Irish supporters during the nation’s home games.

Events occur year round at Leopardstown, but the four-day Christmas Racing Festival is one of the highlights of the Irish racing calendar. Built in 1888, the course offers some of the finest hospitality suites in racing.

Every Easter the historic Fairyhouse racing course hosts the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National.

Beginning on Aran Quay and winding through the city to finish back where it started, the Dublin Marathon attracts thousands of participants and spectators.

Europe’s oldest field sport uses a hockey-style stick partly to throw a ball down the pitch, but mostly to smack opposing players. The fastest field sport around, expect lots of excitement and a bit of blood.

Gaelic football is a mixture of soccer and rugby, though predating both games. The pace is similar to football, but allows the carrying of the ball, for a short distance, and adds goal posts to avoid those 0-0 draws.

The only horse race in the world run on a beach. As the tide rolls out, the finishing posts rise and bookies open shop.

Every year, in the middle of June, thousands of keen cyclists race each other from Dublin to Belfast, then back again.

Crowds flock to the Liffey as Trinity and University College Dublin compete in the age-old rivalry of a rowing race between O’Connell Bridge and Sean Heuston Bridge, The tiny Ha’Penny Bridge fills with spectators.