Will be visiting Dublin August 15 and 16 and rooting for Galway. Been to Galway once and loved it...that's about the total reason why. Is there a seating section for Galway? I don't have tickets and notice that they are expensive...40. Will be watching with my wife. Do many women attend? Any problems in the stands, etc.? Do Galway fans go to a pub outside Croke Park. Any advice on buying tickets. Hurling has alwasy sounded fancinating to us, and we would like to see a match. Any help advice would be appreciated. I am a big American football fan...Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer fan, if that means anything. Thank you for any help.

jarvistjj (Galway) - Posts: 10 - 02/08/2015 18:19:00    1762603

I'll let Galway people field a few of those but you definitely don't need to worry about sitting anywhere in the stadium.

I would advise though, that you sit in the Hogan Stand. That side of the stadium has all the best pubs, the streets around there are just a bit more welcoming in my opinion. A lot more, in fact.

I'd try to buy tickets online in advance of the event. You can pick them up at a ticket office on the day. Booking those should be your first priority.

Once you've your tickets sorted come back and tell us where you're staying and we'll tell you the best mode of transport to the stadium

Count_Awesome (Kildare) - Posts: 736 - 02/08/2015 18:39:23    1762630

Since I posted the more I've read about hurling the more I'm intrigued by it. We'll be on the monster cruise ship, Celebrity Silhouette, which will be anchored at the Dublin Port from 7:00 am 15 August until 21:00 16 August. I assume we need to take a bus to Croke Park. On the prior visit in 2004, we stayed one day in Cashel, and in the Cashel pub where we ate, all the hurling fans were streaming through Cashel after watching a hurling match. I was very upset that I didn't think to look for a good hurling or football match to watch while there. Not this time. I'm actually a "Mulligan", but try to keep it down, since I know there must be more than a few distant cousins over there.

jarvistjj (Galway) - Posts: 10 - 02/08/2015 19:05:18    1762659

I think youre safe enough. Can't think of any sporting grudges Galway have against a Mulligan. They've had a grudge against Tipp since 1989 though, which will prob manifest itself in that match.

If I were you I'd just walk to Connolly station and get a taxi towards the stadium. Don't give him more than €5 each. Ask to get to as close as Gill's pub on the North Circular Road as you can get cos there's a ticket office there where you can collect your tickets. It's a good pub to start off & pretty close to hogan stand entrances too.

Other pubs worth a visit; McGraths, Quinns, The Big Tree

Count_Awesome (Kildare) - Posts: 736 - 02/08/2015 20:17:44    1762732

Some great sports there in Wisconsin jarvistjj. Nearly won the NCAA. I have a lot of respect for Packers. Great history and fan support.
Kind of like the GAA in the tradition and grassroots support. I have some friends near Milwaukee. WI are excellent folk.

For Croke Park on the 16th the Galway v Tipperary match starts at 15:30 which should end about 17:30. That would leave you plenty of time to get back to the ship (unless you stop in too many of Dublin's renowned pubs. ;-)

mikeyjoe (USA) - Posts: 415 - 02/08/2015 20:37:39    1762759

Jarvistjj,

Have you been to a big hurling match before? If not I believe you are in for a treat as this could be the game of the year.Enjoy.

Condorman (Dublin) - Posts: 983 - 02/08/2015 20:37:53    1762760

Thanks a lot guys.

I'm about to get two tickets in the Hogan Stand area and hope to be near a few Galway fans. Especially appreciate Awesomes insights...thanks.

Also, if there are Galway fan posters, is there a pub that is generally preferred by Galway? I would like to try that one. Have won a couple of beer tasting contests in the US (taste identification by brand, not volume based), and love Guiness, but also like to try any ales. Am on an ale kick recently.

This could be a real highlight of our trip. Very much looking forward to it. Again, thanks for info.

I've actually delayed a response since we had a super thunderstorm last night and power is totally out, so keystroking from local library.

jarvistjj (Galway) - Posts: 10 - 03/08/2015 18:06:50    1763258

Also, Condorman, no, i and we have never been to a hurling match. I was reading the rules, and it will be interesting to see if I can call or sense what we call in basketball "travelling" the the, here I go, "puck" or ball, I know that's not the right term. I suspect you guys can "sense" traveling rather than count the 4 steps, etc. This all must sound hilarious.

jarvistjj (Galway) - Posts: 10 - 03/08/2015 18:10:14    1763260

General hurling notes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurling

Here is discussion of the upcoming match from Galway hurling forum:
http://galwayhurlingforum.proboards.com/thread/101/galway-tipperary-aisf-august-16th

Any questions about Galway team etc would be answered there.

McGraths would be generally considered a Galway hang out, but IMO any decent GAA pub is good before/after the game i.e. Gills, Ryans (Hoganstand) which are right beside the pitch, as well as Big Tree which is slightly farther away.

Get to pitch area for around 1PM to soak in atmosphere or even attend the minor match (U-18s) if you fancy back-to-back games!

Flanders (Galway) - Posts: 604 - 03/08/2015 18:55:56    1763283

I'm not sure if there is a Galway pub near the stadium Jarvistjj.Most pubs near the stadium will be packed with supporters on All Ireland semi final day anyway, supporters from both counties that is.If you want to experience a really good Dublin Pub I would recommend The Palace on Fleet Street, Mulligans on Poolbeg Stt. The Sacville just off O Connell St. Kavanaghs aka The Gravediggers in Glasnevin which are all great Dublin pubs in my opinion.
Seeing as your tickets are for the Hogan Stand I would add that Gills or Ryans on the North Circular Road are the closest.

Condorman (Dublin) - Posts: 983 - 04/08/2015 11:43:49    1763608

Dont go near the Big Tree or Quinns.My God,how anyone enjoys being crammed in like sardines,beats me.Good call condorman on the Sackville.I drop in there quite a bit.I always frequent inner city pubs just off the beaten track.Meeting a pal in The Oval later today.Confession Box,Maddigans,Sean O Caseys,The Celt,Mother Kellys,Clearys,Lloyds - all around Marlborough St,Talbot St,Amiens St area.Even before big games,youll have a bit of comfort,with just a short walk to stadium.Condor,the Palace on Fleet St is a Tipp pub,so maybe not the wisest option for our Galway Yank.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 04/08/2015 11:59:24    1763621

You will no doubt enjoy your stay and especially the game. I would advise to make your way to the ground for 1.30pm at the latest. You can take in the under 18 game and it will set you up nicely for the senior game.

If the weather is good just make your way to towards O Connell street early. You will see people about from both Counties. Follow the crowd on foot and maybe take in a venue or two on route. It is only a 25 minute walk from the center to the ground.

After the game just exit the stadium and follow the crowd again. Depending on the result you can follow either crowd. Plenty will go for a beer and some banter no matter what the result is.

Anywhere close to the stadium is only a half hour walk back to your ship or a €10 taxi back there.

Have a great time.

26plus6equals1 (Tyrone) - Posts: 430 - 04/08/2015 12:01:07    1763623

I know The Palace is a Tipp Pub but aren't they all?
Any visitor to Dublin who enjoys a pint should try the Palace, especially those with an interest in Literature.

Condorman (Dublin) - Posts: 983 - 04/08/2015 13:27:35    1763691

Of course the middle of town is full of great pubs, but Dublin is a big enough city that the match gets lost if you're not in the environs of Croker. I normally hate pubs that are too packed but attending sports is a mass-participation event! The crowds generate the atmosphere so you need to go where they are. Otherwise we'd all just drink cans at home!

If you want to try a few ales after the match then just head back to the city centre, it's riddled with craft beer places these days. You'll pay a few quid for them but there's plenty of quality, to be fair. Easy-to-find city centre pubs like The Foggy Dew and Lord Edward have a good variety. They're close to tourist hellhole Temple Bar but things are tolerably quiet there on a Sunday evening and you don't want to be walking all over and unfamiliar city. You'll find food there easily too.

The Palace is a good shout, it's on the opposite side of Temple Bar from the Lord Edward (Foggy Dew is dead centre). But make sure you go to the Palace on Fleet Street and NOT the one out near Rathmines because you'll be surrounded by hammered 18 year olds.......and that'd be terrible.

Galway people might correct me but there's really no "Galway" pub. Fans aren't segregated and don't self-segregate. Everyone just mingles together. You'll have no trouble identifying who's who!

To be honest I wouldn't walk all the way from the city. The North side's reputation isn't deserved but there's still one or two streets that's aren't hugely friendly. Why take the risk? Get a taxi until the majority of people are wearing jerseys then get out and walk with the he crowd.

Remember to start with Gills though! Easily navigable and it's where you can collect your tickets!

Come back and tell us how you got on

Count_Awesome (Kildare) - Posts: 736 - 04/08/2015 14:50:51    1763757

Yes condor,correct,quite a few Tipp pubs in the capital.There wont be much literature discussed in the Palace on that day id imagine ha.It will be wall to wall thirsty Tipp men.Ive experienced it in the past.Anyway,were all gaels here.The beauty of all fans mixing before and after games is special to our games.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 04/08/2015 15:10:56    1763780

It has been mentioned a few times here about tickets. As far as I am aware you should have the tickets e mailed to you if you bought them on line. The ship will have a printer but all you need is the bar codes on your phone anyway. They scan them at the gate.

If you go up early go into the Croke pk hotel for a beer. Bar opens about 12noon. You will find the great and the good of the GAA in there. Hotel is just behind the Hogan stand.

Make sure and let us know how you get on and be prepared for a massive playing pitch. 140 meters long and 95 wide.

26plus6equals1 (Tyrone) - Posts: 430 - 05/08/2015 10:19:36    1764139

Thanks, 26. I was wondering about having to get another set of tickets. I did print them out here in Michigan, and so I think I should be all set, as they have the seat number and bar code, etc. Power came on here for the first time in over 48 hours, so I don't have to do this from the local library. We're going to look up the rules so we don't sound totally stupid about the game, and have started in doing same.

Thanks, all for the great advice, and all the comments re which pubs we should try. I don't have a Galway "kit" as you call it, but I think I will bring my Bucky Badger sweatshirt. If you know who that mascot is and see it, it's likely me. Here's Bucky https://www.google.com/search...

jarvistjj (Galway) - Posts: 10 - 05/08/2015 11:55:05    1764226

Part of the experience (especially for the novice or neutral) is mingling with both sets of supporters. There's no segregation outside or inside the stadium. You'll have no bother getting "hats, scarves or flags" or headbands from local street vendors or you can buy official gear/paraphernalia at the stadium. Enjoy!

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 05/08/2015 12:44:56    1764278

jarvistjj
County: Galway
Posts: 5

1762659
Since I posted the more I've read about hurling the more I'm intrigued by it. We'll be on the monster cruise ship, Celebrity Silhouette, which will be anchored at the Dublin Port from 7:00 am 15 August until 21:00 16 August. I assume we need to take a bus to Croke Park. On the prior visit in 2004, we stayed one day in Cashel, and in the Cashel pub where we ate, all the hurling fans were streaming through Cashel after watching a hurling match. I was very upset that I didn't think to look for a good hurling or football match to watch while there. Not this time. I'm actually a "Mulligan", but try to keep it down, since I know there must be more than a few distant cousins over there.

Tipperary people welcomed you in to Cashel and now you turn around and support Galway against us! Outrageous! ;)

As previously mentioned the fans tend to mix outside and inside the stadium. There'd be many friends from either county who might even go for a pint with each other beforehand wearing opposing colour so there are no "Galway pubs" as such. There won't be any violence or aggro between fans but once the ball is thrown so choice language is highly probable! Enjoy the game!

roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 05/08/2015 13:19:50    1764331

I'll keep an eye out for Bucky Badger on the day Jarvistjj! I'm in the lower Hogan myself so theres a good chance I'll see you.Theres no Galway Pub as such and theres no need for on e.Its one of the great things about the GAA that supporters from rival counties mingle freely before, during and after the games without any bother.Its only a game after all.
That said hopefully the Pubs will be all Galway afterwards !

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 06/08/2015 11:44:27    1764940