• Help Support The Rugby Forum :

Dublin and Rome - Sports Bars?

P

polonius

Guest
I shall be in both Dublin and Rome to see Scotland play away this year.

Shortly after the Ireland v Scotland game, the England v France fixture starts. Can anyone recommend a bar in Dublin where it will be shown?

Similarly, after the Italy v Scotland match the other games are to be played. Can anyone recommend anywhere in Rome, please?

I am a bit too long-in-the-tooth to be in one of those massed beer halls, standing up all the time, but any and all suggestions will be welcomed. Thank you in advance.
 
If you google online or Italian Rugby Six Nations bars rome, you should be able to find the site some of the Italian members of this forum made with hints & tips of where the best bars were.
 
In Dublin you wont really have too much of a problem. Once your out of the ground you'll be about 15-20 minute walk from the city centre. Just follow the crowd as it disperses you'll have access to pretty much every bar in Dublin. Should be early so comfort shouldnt be a problem.

I'd strongly advise against drinking on the North Side of the Liffey. But if you have to, get as close to the Liffey as you can to allow for a quick escape. ;)
 
In Dublin you wont really have too much of a problem. Once your out of the ground you'll be about 15-20 minute walk from the city centre. Just follow the crowd as it disperses you'll have access to pretty much every bar in Dublin. Should be early so comfort shouldnt be a problem.

I'd strongly advise against drinking on the North Side of the Liffey. But if you have to, get as close to the Liffey as you can to allow for a quick escape. ;)
[/b]

Many thanks for your advice. To help me with my bearings, is Croke Park north or south of the Liffey?
 
I shall be in both Dublin and Rome to see Scotland play away this year.

Similarly, after the Italy v Scotland match the other games are to be played. Can anyone recommend anywhere in Rome, please?

[/b]
polonius, in Rome I can reccomend

Druids Rock, Piazza Esquilino, shows rugby games through BBC - BSkyB, outstanding atmosphere during 6N
Scholars Lounge, via del Plebiscito (close to piazza Venezia), they have UK channels too
Camden Town, via Ostilia (about 100 mt from Colosseo)

hope it helps
 
Many thanks for your advice. To help me with my bearings, is Croke Park north or south of the Liffey?[/b]
Croke park is on the North Side. I'm only taking the **** with regards to drinking over there. Its still a shock for the upper class of Dublin to actually cross the river to see a rugby game. I remember when the guide below was published. Great fun to read.

Travel advice for rugby fans visiting Croke Park for the first time

'So, like, what language do they speak over there and ****?'
The official language of North Dublin is English, though it's a creolised form of the language, which many outsiders find impossible to understand. It is worth the effort, though, to learn a few key phrases. 'Storr-ee,' means, 'Hello', 'Alreet, Bud?' means, 'How are you?' 'Ball, means,' 'football', and a simple snap of the fingers, followed by an upturned palm, means, 'It's going to cost you â'¬20 to park your car on this public street. If you don't pay, it'll be a charred mess by the time you've finished your first lusty rendition of The Fields of Athenry.'

'****, the match is today. Should I have got myself, like, immunised, if that's the right word?'
No immunisations are required for Southsiders visiting North Dublin. However, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and gamma globulin vaccinations are strongly recommended. Other vaccinations that should be considered, depending on your intended length of stay, include hepatitis A and B, rabies, encephalitis and typhoid.
Happily, cholera has been virtually eradicated north of the Liffey.

'So is it safe to, like, drink the water then?'
Under no circumstances - even if it's boiled. You'd be safer sucking it out of the Royal Canal than you would drinking anything that came out of a tap north of Westmoreland Street.

'I plan to walk to Croke Park from Dublin city centre. Can you print a list of emergency numbers in the event of my inadvertently making eye contact with a local and him using it as a pretext to beat seven shades of **** out of me.'
Gardai
Ballymun - 01 666-4400
Blanchardstown - 01 666-7000
Cabra - 01 666-7400
Coolock - 01 666-4200
Finglas - 01 666-7500
Mountjoy - 01 666-8600
Raheny - 01 666-43000
Santry - 01 666-4000
Skerries - 01 849-1211
Store Street - 01 666-8000
Hospitals
Beaumont - 01 809-3000
Bon Secour Private - 01 806-5300
Cherry Orchard - 01 620-6000
Connolly - 01 821-3844
The Mater - 01 803-2000

'Ireland have never lost whenever I've worn my classic Cole Haan, double-breasted, baby camel hair topcoat to the match. Naturally, though, I'm worried about being forced to hand it over at knifepoint to some local hoodlum in or around Croke Park. How can I avoid standing out in the crowd?'
You might consider sewing three white stripes down either arm of the coat, giving it that authentic Adidas look that should allow you to pass down Dorset Street unnoticed - and unmolested.

'What are scratch cards?'
Scratch cards are game tickets sold mainly in North Dublin. They were introduced by the government as a surreptitious way of taxing the dole.

'I've never been to North Dublin before, but, like most people, I've seen the horrific images on television. Is there anywhere close to Croke Park where we can eat good sun-dried tomato and olive frittatas or perhaps some nice spinach, roast pepper and tomato roulade?'
Avoca Handweavers have no plans to open a store in Ballybough for now. If you want to eat something that hasn't been dipped in batter and then fried in a foot of fat, you'd be best advised to take a packed lunch with you. Do bear in mind that, while the GAA has lifted its ban on foreign games being played at Croke Park, Protestant food is still prohibited from all GAA grounds under Rule 42 (B) of the association - and roulades, tortlets and terrines of all kinds are liable for confiscation.

'Like, will our mobiles work and ****?'
No. Nor will your iPod.

'Who the fock is this Jayo everyone on the Northside keeps banging on about?'
Jayo is the nickname of Jason Sherlock, a Gaelic footballer and an Eva Peron figure to North Dublin's own descamisados - which is Spanish for skobies.

'Is it true that the sky is, like, lower on the Northside?'
Yes, it is. This is as a result of North Dublin's famous air pollution, which is now on a par with that of Mexico City - unlike South Dublin, which in the early 1990s switched to nonbutiminous fuel sources, as well as a post-industrial economy.

'What the fock is this SSIA that most of the Northside seems to be waiting for? Is it, like, their Judgement Day?'
In a way, yes. The SSIA is a savings scheme introduced by the government in 2001 to stop people who were unaccustomed to having money from blowing it on plasma screen televisions, pool tables and cobble-lock driveways. The government committed one euro for every four saved by account-holders over a five-year period. At the end of five years, most people withdrew their money and spent it on plasma screen televisions, pool tables and cobble-lock driveways.

'Unlike most Southsiders, I have no intention of being shuttle-bussed to Croke Park from Doheny's or any of the other 'battle cruisers' on the so-called Golden Mile. I intend embracing the whole Northside Experience, starting with two or three pint bottles of cider in one or any of the pubs close to the ground, then rounding off the weekend by going to an Aslan gig and waking up on Monday morning with a hangover. Where can I buy a flak jacket?'
North Dublin has more army surplus stores per head of population than North Korea. Flak jackets - ballistic nylon waistcoats with protective Manganese plates sewn into them - are widely available in a number of different styles. A sort of black, red, white and peach-coloured check - known as mock Burberry - is currently de rigueur.

'Have the Department of Foreign Affairs issued any, like, travel advice for those of us still in two minds about whether to, like, go or not?'
Yes - but do remember that common sense should always be your first line of defence. Before you travel, keep abreast of the local news coverage. Remember, North Dublin is an area particularly prone to civil unrest, natural disaster and tiger kidnappings. Remember, too, that communications on that side of the city are notoriously poor. If you plan to remain in the area after the match to enjoy some of the local 'hospitality', it would be sensible to register with the nearest South Dublin consulate. It only takes a couple of minutes and could be invaluable in a case of emergency. It's also advised that you leave a detailed itinerary and a photocopy of the ID page from your passport with a friend or relative. Remember, too, there is nothing to buy in North Dublin, so leave your credit cards and large sums of cash behind, along with your jewellery.
And, most importantly, wrap up warm.

'As an occasional listener to the Adrian Kennedy Show, I can't help but notice the way North Dubliners use the phrase, 'Know what I mean?' incessantly in conversation. Surely it would save these people a lot of time if they just spoke articulately in the first place?'
Yes, it would, but, sadly, very few Northsiders enjoy the benefit of an elite, fee-paying secondary school education. The term 'Know what I mean?' serves no practical purpose, except as a linguistic crutch, and is a Northside equivalent of, 'Oh! My God!'

'Should I bring my own medications with me?'
Drugs are widely available throughout North Dublin - but not the kind you'll likely need. Bring any necessary medications with you and keep them in the original, labelled containers in your hand luggage. Also, bring any toiletries and personal hygiene products that you will need. These items can be difficult to obtain on the Northside.

'Is there any pub within walking distance of Croke Park that sells good VSOP?'
That's a difficult one - and it's easy to see how such a question might be misconstrued as sarcastic.
If you must ask for it, make sure you do it discreetly. Watch the barman's face very carefully and be ready to pass it off as a joke.

'I'm still kacking it - and we're talking totally. I'm too young to die, aren't I?'
Well, it's always someone's turn - but the good news is that your chances of being killed in a random drive-by shooting are now as low as 12-1. There are, of course, ways of reducing the risk of becoming a victim of crime - namely exercising the following precautions. Leave anything of value - children, gold fillings - at home. Never display large sums of money. Conceal your passport, cash and other valuables on your person and be mindful that if you intend wearing a bum-bag, you will almost certainly be taken for a homosexual and beaten in the street. Do not talk loudly. Don't use public transport, flea markets, ATMs, fast food restaurants or toilets. Never leave your drink unattended, even for a moment. If you plan to take a taxi, bear in mind that the driver's opinions about foreign nationals and whether or not Roy Keane is a traitor to this country will be added to your surcharge. Don't drive at night and never drive alone during the daytime.
Never sleep in your car and under no circumstance pick up hitchhikers.

But do remember to enjoy yourself - or, as they say in North Dublin, enjoy yisser selves!


[/b]

http://www.rossocarrollkelly.ie/Interview_...ark_022007.aspx
 
from my experience;
if you're in Ireland during a 6N weekend, and you can't find a pub to watch rugby in, you're not in Ireland/blind.
 
In Dublin you wont really have too much of a problem. Once your out of the ground you'll be about 15-20 minute walk from the city centre. Just follow the crowd as it disperses you'll have access to pretty much every bar in Dublin. Should be early so comfort shouldnt be a problem.

I'd strongly advise against drinking on the North Side of the Liffey. But if you have to, get as close to the Liffey as you can to allow for a quick escape. ;) [/b]



HaHa!! I love the Northside banter - As long as you get your passport stamped, you can come over.

You can get a good stamping service at the 5 lamps!!

I live about 5 min walk from Croker (one street away from getting free tickets - d'oh!!)...If you want a close pub that will be showing the game and has a good atmos....go for Fagans on Drumcondra road. A big GAA pub, i would agree, but i've been there for countless matches and there is always a big crowd glued to the weekends games.
 
Many thanks to all those who have responded - much appreciated.

I shall be in Dublin with my brother - who is tee total. A bit like going to Bangkok with a nun, I know, but at least he will see me back to the hotel.
 
Top