• Northern Ireland 2006
  • January 1 and 2  (New Year)
  • March 17  (St Patrick's Day Holiday)
  • April 14 (Good Friday)
  • April 17 (Easter Monday)
  • May 1 (May Day)
  • May 29 (Spring Holiday)
  • July 12 (Battle of the Boyne)
  • August 28 (Summer bank holiday)
  • December 25 (Christmas)
  • December 26 (St Stephen's Day/Boxing Day)

** Note: Holiday dates without a title are "bank holidays". Most shops, banks and offices are closed on public holidays, particularly around Christmas and the New Year.

• Gaelic Football
  The size of the field is some meters bigger compared to football (soccer). You have one goal at each end, which look quite similar to the ones on football (soccer)  grounds. But the two goalposts reach up to the air beyond the crossbar, like in rugby. A ball that goes into the goal is worth 3 points, a ball that goes across the bar (between the posts) is worth one point.
  The match is played in two halfs, 35 minutes each with a ball similar to a football.
  Both teams have 15 players. It is allowed to touch the ball with both hands and feet. About four steps are allowed while carrying the ball then the ball has to be tipped or touched by the foot. If the match ends in a draw it will be replayed.
  The games lacks certain elements of Football (soccer) because of the missing offside and because of the possibility of scoring single points from further distances. It is characterized by passion and a constant high tempo.

• Hurling
  Hurling is a game similar to hockey, in that it is played with a small ball and a curved wooden stick. It is Europe's oldest field game. The stick, or "hurley" is curved outwards at the end, to provide the striking surface. The ball or "sliothar" is similar in size to a hockey ball but has raised ridges.
  Hurling is played on a field about the same size as Gaelic Football and each team consists as well of 15 players.
  You may strike the ball on the ground, or in the air. Unlike hockey, you may pick up the ball with your hurley and carry it for not more than four steps in the hand. After those steps you may bounce the ball on the hurley and back to the hand, but you are forbidden to catch the ball more than twice. To get around this, one of the skills is running with the ball balanced on the hurley. To score, you put the ball over the crossbar with the hurley or under the crossbar and into the net by the hurley for a goal, the latter being the equivalent of three points

• Horse Racing / 'Steeplechase'
  Horse racing is also a major professional sport in Ireland.
  The competitive racing of horses is one of humankind's most ancient sports, having its origins among the prehistoric nomadic tribesmen of Central Asia. For thousands of years, horse racing flourished as the sport of kings and the nobility. Modern racing, however, exists primarily because it is a major venue for legalized gambling.
  Steeplechases are races over a 2- to 4-mile (3.2- to 6.4-km) course that includes such obstacles as brush fences, stone walls, timber rails, and water jumps. The sport developed from the pastime of fox hunting, when hunters would test the speed of their mounts during the cross-country chase. Organized steeplechase racing began about 1830.

• Greyhound racing
  Greyhound racing is a very popular past time in Ireland, with some excellent dogs bred in the country. Ireland has different greyhound stadia spread all over the country. In Dublin there are two main racecourses, which have regular race meetings. An evening at the "dogs" is an excellent night out, even if you've no interest in racing or betting. There are restaurants and bars available at both venues as well as comfortable indoor viewing areas where you get an excellent view of the track. Everyone receives a race/form guide and you can sit down, relax and make your decisions. There are 'bookies' walking around who can take your bets so you don't even have to leave the comfort of your seat.
  Even if the betting doesn't appeal at first, once the racing starts you'll find it hard not to join the shouting at your dog as it rounds the final bend. Definately recommended as a night out, and both stadia offer brilliant facilities.