Terrace in RDS

conf101

I'm looking at getting a Leinster season ticket for next season and was thinking of going for the terrace cos I'm only a poor student but I've never been on the terrace there, only been in the north, south and anglesea stands, so wondering if anyone here has? Is it any good? Is there much of a restricted view there? Also is the terrace only for ST holders or can others get tickets there in general sales. Myself and my brother are both gonna get season tickets but we often go to the matches with other people so we don't wanna get seats in the grandstand or angelsea stand. North/South would be grand but tbh I think I'd prefer terrace!

crisco10

I have a season ticket for the terrace. Love it and any of my mates and family who have joined me there also love it. It is a restericted view, espeically if you are down the back of the terrace. But if you get there early, you usually get spot toward the front with a good view of the screen so see it all.
The advantages of the Terrace are its closeness to the action, highlight of this season would be Jamie's hand off against Ulster about 4 yards away from me. Nothing like being up close to that!

Also, random one this, the terrace is warmer than the North or South stand. Well sheltered and standing in a group is toasty!

conf101

Cheers crisco. How much of the pitch is restricted?

durkadurka

I think its all season tickets though so if you want to bring mates you might be better in the north or south stand.

Doesnt cost much more but you mightn't like the view.

crisco10

conf101 wrote: »

Cheers crisco. How much of the pitch is restricted?

All of this info is valid for the more southern terrace. I can't speak for the one closest to the northern stand.

Depends. The extreme is if you up the front you can see everything. But if you are at the back, you would struggle to see about 10yard by 10 yard square in the Angelsea/North Stand corner due to the random roof over the subs bench area. I'm not exceedingly tall, but if you are smaller than like 5'7' you may struggle. (I know my gf does, although she enjoys the craic and we just try to be right down the front)

And yes, as durka says, it is all STH.

rockman15

for the contrasting argument....ive a ST for the north stand.

fantastic banter to be had. we 7+ of us tend to sit in the centre/behind the goals about half way up. its a gret view if you want to watch the interplay and lines being run in pro rugby. some great memories of the season to be had, most obvious one watching claremont O/H put that drop goal wide and always get a good view and sitting has its obvious advantages.

one of the things i wasnt expecting was the general familiarity you can with those who sit near you on a regualr basis. struck up some very random conversation with leinster fans who sit near us to the point of saying hello outside of the RDS. same can be said for visiting fans who are always up the the craic and are generally p!ssed

on the downside its open to the elements, but not as much as the south stand. theres also a distinct lack of noise coming from the stand. but i think thats a major problem for the rds when the team arent doing relativley well at a given point in the match. something the OLSC and leinster branch still need to work on.

either way you'll enjoy both sections of the crowd

vienne86

I've had a season ticket in the North stand for two seasons now, and I sampled the South stand for the Clermont game. You get a great view of the game, especially from behind the posts. True it is open to the elements, but you just wrap up. While the South stand is sometimes in the sun, that sun will be in your eyes.

One huge advantage of the unreserved seating in these stands is that if you find yourself close to someone obnoxious (which happens rarely, but can happen), you can just move. And you are not stuck beside them for the season!! I think it's just great value for money, and can't wait for next season!

molloyjh

I've a ST for the southern most terrace (beside the changing rooms). We're generally in early and have our spot up at the front. I love it. The craic is great and the only part of the pitch we'd have any real trouble seeing is the North-East corner by the Anglsea Stand. And with the big screen set up we just watch the bits we can't see there. Will be back there next year and looking forward to it.

shawpower

I was a ST on the Wesley terrace in Donnybrook when we played there. I was on the North stand in RDS in year one, but then moved to the North Terrace for the past few years. I also used to be a regular on the north terrace in Lansdowne, and usually made the Hill in Croker.

So as you can see, I've two preferences when it comes to rugby. If I could pick an ideal, it would be a terrace at the end of the ground. I like standing and I like seeing the rugby flow across the pitch. However, the year in the North stand in the RDS made me go back to the Terrace again, despite it's side-on view. There were too many kids, and a lack of atmosphere. I'm sure the latter has improved a bit since then, but the Terrace has always been great crack. Anyone I've brought to a game has had a blast too.

Overall, I love the banter in the terrace sections, and think it's the best way to watch rugby.

Here's some info on the terraces. Your ticket will get you into either. The one on north end is bigger though. With regards to restrictions, there aren't too many. If you get in on the steps up to about row 10, you can see 99% of the pitch, with the only exception being the corner of the south end on the Anglesea side. The reason for this is the wooden roof where the players sit. It's really quite a small section. If you go too far back, your view of the sky is restricted so garryowen's and conversions are a problem. But you also have a big screen across from you in the corner between the North stand and the Grandstand if you miss anything. You also get a great bit of shelter, and as has been mentioned, it is a bit warmer too.

On the down side, you need to be there early to guarantee a decent spot. I'm in a gang of 10-15 now who are always in the same spot; close to the southern most point of the terrace. On HEC days, we try to get in there about 45 mins before the game to get our spots. For normal ML games 15-20 mins will do you. Then you have 1-2 people popping out on beer runs after that. I don't mind it at all, as you soak up the atmosphere, but others prefer to stay in the Supporters bar for longer with their dedicated seats.

Lastly, it may depend on your height. I'm about 6'2" and most of my mates are similar height. We've no problems. My missus is about 5'2" and she has big problems seeing stuff. She still loves the atmosphere, but has to crane her neck the whole time. (we keep meaning to get her a little plastic portable step to bring! LoL ). So if you're tall, you'll be fine. If not, it can be a pain. Think about a really tall person standing in front of you at a concert, and you'll have some idea.

Think that covers most of it.

conf101

Cheers for all that info shawpower! I'd much rather go for the terrace but I'm only around 5'6 so thinking maybe the south stand might be a better option!

shawpower

conf101 wrote: »

Cheers for all that info shawpower! I'd much rather go for the terrace but I'm only around 5'6 so thinking maybe the south stand might be a better option!

Cool, but pick up a good blue raincoat, cause you will get wet a few times each year.

Not being 5'6" I can't say for def if that'll cause you probs. There are loads of folk that height in the terrace, so mustn't be too bad. One option is to try to get into it for a game before the end of the year. Tricky I know, but do you not know anyone with a ticket for there, so you get to try it out once...

conf101

Yeah that's my main problem with the north and south stands, they're fierce exposed and get very cold and wet! Don't think I'll get to try out the terrace before the end of the year unfortunately!

witchgirl26

I was in the terrace a couple of times before going for a season ticket & being 5'1" it was really not a good idea in that sense. Was great atmosphere though & there was a lovely guy who pushed me in front of him so I could see a little better.

Have had a season ticket for the south stand for the past 2 years now & really like it. It's handy too for friends who want to go to a few matches with you due to the unreserved seating. There's only €20 in the difference of price so I'd say whichever you would really prefer than go for that one.

Oh & defo agree with shawpower on the investing in a good raincoat!

vienne86

One disadvantage of the North terrace is that for most people the big screen is not visible. Personally, I can live with that, but it is an issue in most parts of that stand.

shawpower

vienne86 wrote: »

One disadvantage of the North terrace is that for most people the big screen is not visible. Personally, I can live with that, but it is an issue in most parts of that stand.

Maybe that's why we push down to the southern end.... Can't remember why, but it was 2 years ago when we went there first, and we've been to the same spot since.