Lansdowne Road’s First International Fixture
On 11th March 1878, Lansdowne Road hosted its first international rugby fixture, Ireland vs England, making it the world's oldest Rugby Union test venue
This was the fourth time these two sides had faced each other on the field. England won the game by three tries to nil.
Frank Browning and the ‘Pals’ Brigade
In the 1890s, Frank Browning became President of the short-lived Irish Cricket Union. In 1912, having played for both Dublin University and Wanderers rugby teams, he was chosen as President of the IRFU. In 1914, Browning wrote to all Dublin clubs on the outbreak of the war. He urged the members to enlist as he himself was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Veteran Corps of the General Reserve. After a positive response, Browning formed the IRFU Volunteers Corps, also known as the ‘Pals’ Brigade. As the young and fit left for active service, the older members formed a sort of ‘Dad's Army’ which was under Browning's command. Known around Dublin as the Gorgeous Wrecks because of the letters GR on their armbands and dummy rifles, the group became part of the Irish Auxiliary Training Corps as they were an organisation for gentlemen of above military age. On Easter Monday 1916, while competing an exercise in the Dublin mountains, they received news of the outbreak of the Rising in the city. Upon their return through the narrow Mount Street Bridge, they came under fire from the Irish Volunteers who mistook them for real British soldiers. In total, seven of their members were wounded and four (including Browning) were fatally shot before the Volunteers realised their mistake. Browning died at Baggot Street Hospital two days after being shot. His gravestone, which was erected by the IRFU in Dublin's Dean's Grange cemetery includes the wording: ‘He will live in the memory of all as an honourable comrade and distinguished sportsman.’
Lansdowne Road Stadium
The most recent iteration of Lansdowne Road Stadium had a total capacity of 49,250, with 25,000 seats. However, competitive international football matches could not use the entire capacity because the stands at both ends of the ground (North and South) were standing-only terraces. FIFA and UEFA both mandate that international matches be played in all-seated venues. A temporary capacity of 36,000 was the result for competitive soccer.
The final game in Lansdowne Road was a restaging of the first game ever played on the grounds, old rivals Leinster vs Ulster. Leinster won the game 20 points to 12.
The stadium closed its doors after the 2006 game and was demolished in 2007 to make way for the Aviva Stadium.
New Zealand Touring Party 1905-6 “The Originals”
The Original All Blacks were the first New Zealand national rugby union team to tour outside Australasia. Their opening game was against Devon on 16 September 1905 whom they defeated 55–4. Such was the surprise at the defeat, some newspapers in Britain printed that Devon had scored 55 points and not the ‘The Originals’. They went on to defeat every English side that they faced, including a 16–3 victory over English county champions Durham, and a 32–0 victory over Blackheath. They defeated Scotland, Ireland, and England with the closest of the three matches being their 12–7 victory over Scotland. The team's only loss of the tour was a 3–0 defeat to Wales at Cardiff Arms Park.
The arrival in Ireland marked a homecoming for the captain Dave Gallaher, who was born in County Donegal. Thousands awaited the ‘The Originals’ when they arrived in Dublin by train from Belfast where they had travelled to from Scotland on the Thursday before the Test, both teams attended the theatre together; sitting alternatively so they could better mix.
Emerald Isle Classic
American College Football is no stranger to these hallowed grounds since the first Emerald Isle Classic was held in Lansdowne Road in 1988.
In 2012, the sport returned for a marvellous game between the University of Notre Dame and the Naval Academy at Aviva Stadium. An estimated 30,000 Americans travelled to Dublin to witness this event and spent over €100 million in the Irish economy while they were here. It was such a success that another game was organised for Boston College v Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech came out victorious on the day. These matches were such a big success that there are plans for a series of games to be hosted in the Aviva Stadium in the coming years.
The new Aviva Stadium
Opened in 2010 after three years of construction work. The first game played was a joint Ulster & Leinster side against Munster & Connacht, which Ulster & Leinster won 85-0.
The stadium itself is a bowl shape with four tiers on three sides of the ground; the lower and upper tiers being for general access, the second and third levels feed the second tier for premium tickets and the fourth tier for corporate boxes. The northern end of the stadium, due to its proximity to local housing, incorporates only the lower tier of the bowl. This end of the stadium is the away stand for football internationals.
Since 1980 concerts were being held at Lansdowne Road Stadium with renowned artists such as Frank Sinatra who played a sold-out concert accompanied by Lizza Minneli and Sammy Davis Jnr.
Over the years Lansdowne Road and the Aviva Stadium played host to world class acts such as Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Madonna, ACDC, Robbie Williams, Billy Joel, Micheal Buble and Lady Gaga.