Belfast bar for matches????

Berns

Wonderin if anyone got any idea's what's a good bar in Belfast to watch the 6 Nations rugby matches, supporting Ireland of course Would like one that has a bit of atmosphere as last 2 seen in bar's in Belfast weren't that good. Lavery's (upstairs in pool room albeit) and skye bar. Got mates comin down for weekend and am just wonderin where best and safe for match as Lisburn aint really a , patriotic, place

observer

the botanic inn is the only spot. down in the haven os student belfast its will be tronged. i spent many a match hearing the roars for humph to be introduced from the bench imagine what it will be like with trimble, best, and co actually playing. but get there early it was always jammed

Snickers Man

Never mind all the rubbish you may have read about Northern rugby fans being sectarian. Sure, most of them are of the Unionist persuasion. But rugby has always managed to produce an environment whereby a united Irish side can make itself beloved of people from both sides of the religious divide.

It has managed to do this by not getting into stupid fights over matters that do not need to be fought over (eg a compromise over what national anthem is played and where) and by being genuinely apathetic about what people's politics are.

It is not helped by Johnny-come-lately ignoramuses texting into Off the Ball on Newstalk ad infinitum demanding '"Why don't they play Amhran na bhFiann when the team plays away from home?" (something Irish rugby has NEVER done) or by gob****e journalists who should know better writing in the Guardian that sectarian slogans were what spurred Trevor Brennan into assaulting a supporter in Toulouse. This has been denied by witnesses and was not even alleged by Brennan.

It seems that a lot of people "down here" have only come to realise recently, thanks to the success of the Irish team, that most rugby supporters from the North are in fact Unionists. That doesn't detract in the least from their supporting the Irish team.

I can think of at least two internationals from the last 20 years who are now active in politics: Trevor Ringland from the Ulster Unionist party and Davy Tweed from the DUP. Ken McGinnis, a dyed in the wool Dungannon supporter, was a regular at Lansdowne Road internationals (probably still is) and he never cheered for England while he was there either.

I would doubt if a united Irish rugby team ever converted a single unionist to nationalism or vice versa. Why should it? That's not its purpose. But it allowed them to play together and to form lasting friendships. Think of all the famous ulster internationals who married nice Dublin girls. Philip Matthews and Willie John McBride to name but two that I can think of.

In answer to your question, and I don't think I've ever set foot in Lisburn, I would reckon that any respectable pub that you went into wearing an Irish rugby shirt would welcome you with open arms and join in your support of the team. Speaking as a northy Fenian, maybe leave the tricolour at home for this one though, and as it's an away match you won't even have to hum Amhran na bhFiann under your breath.

Enjoy!!

daveirl

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