Northern Ireland
The sports industry in Northern Ireland is thriving, with a wide variety of sports available to participate in. The most popular sports in Northern Ireland are football, rugby, Gaelic football, hurling, and cricket. Other popular sports include athletics, swimming, cycling, and golf. Northern Ireland is also home to a number of professional sports teams, including the Belfast Giants ice hockey team and the Belfast Giants basketball team.
Pound Sterling (GBP)
Irish
Irish
Popular in Northern Ireland
Popular Northern Ireland Sports
Popular Northern Ireland Profile Types
About Sports in Northern Ireland
History of Sports in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a rich history of traditional and regional sports.
Some of the most popular include Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, rounders, and shinty.
Gaelic football is a combination of soccer and rugby, and is the most popular sport in Northern Ireland.
Hurling is a field sport similar to hockey, and is played with a stick and a ball.
Camogie is a similar sport to hurling, but is played by women.
Rounders is a bat and ball game similar to baseball, and is popular in Northern Ireland.
Shinty is a Scottish sport similar to hurling, and is played with a stick and a ball.
Other traditional sports in Northern Ireland include road bowling, handball, and mountain biking.
All of these sports are popular in Northern Ireland, and are a great way to experience the culture and history of the region.
Northern Ireland Sports Industry
Northern Ireland has a rich sporting history, with many national heroes and achievements.
One of the most famous sportsmen from Northern Ireland is George Best, a legendary footballer who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was the first Northern Irishman to win the European Footballer of the Year award in 1968.
Another national hero is Dame Mary Peters, a track and field athlete who won gold in the pentathlon at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. She was the first Northern Irish athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.
In golf, Northern Ireland has produced some of the world's best players, including Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington. All four have won major championships, with McIlroy winning four.
In cricket, Northern Ireland has produced some of the world's best players, including Eoin Morgan, Boyd Rankin and William Porterfield. Morgan is the current captain of the England cricket team, while Rankin and Porterfield have both represented Ireland in international cricket.
In rugby, Northern Ireland has produced some of the world's best players, including Brian O'Driscoll, Tommy Bowe and Paddy Wallace. O'Driscoll is one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport, while Bowe and Wallace have both represented Ireland in international rugby.
Finally, Northern Ireland has produced some of the world's best boxers, including Carl Frampton, Michael Conlan and Paddy Barnes. All three have won medals at the Olympic Games, with Frampton becoming the first Northern Irish boxer to win a world title in 2016.
Famous Northern Ireland Athletes
Northern Ireland has produced some of the greatest athletes in the world. From footballers to boxers, Northern Ireland has a long history of producing world-class athletes.
One of the most famous athletes from Northern Ireland is George Best, a legendary footballer who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was known for his skill and flair on the pitch, and was voted the greatest footballer of all time by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics.
Another great athlete from Northern Ireland is Carl Frampton, a professional boxer who has held world titles in two different weight classes. He is considered one of the best boxers of his generation, and is a two-time Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year.
Golfer Rory McIlroy is another great athlete from Northern Ireland. He has won four major championships, and is one of the most successful golfers of all time. He is also the youngest player to reach $10 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.
Finally, there is Dame Mary Peters, a track and field athlete who won gold in the pentathlon at the 1972 Summer Olympics. She is the only Northern Irish athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, and is a national hero in her home country.
Major Northern Ireland Sports Events
Northern Ireland is home to a variety of traditional and annual sports events.
The Belfast Marathon is an annual event that takes place in May. It is one of the most popular marathons in the UK and Ireland, attracting thousands of runners from all over the world.
The Ulster Grand Prix is a motorcycle race that takes place in August. It is one of the fastest road races in the world and is held on the 7.4 mile Dundrod Circuit.
The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament that takes place in July. It is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in Europe and attracts some of the best players in the world.
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race that takes place in May. It is one of the most popular motorcycle races in the world and is held on the 8.9 mile Triangle Circuit.
The Belfast City Marathon is an annual event that takes place in May. It is one of the most popular marathons in the UK and Ireland, attracting thousands of runners from all over the world.
The Irish Cup is a football tournament that takes place in May. It is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the UK and Ireland and attracts some of the best teams in the region.
The Ulster Rally is a rally car race that takes place in August. It is one of the most popular rally car races in the UK and Ireland and is held on the challenging roads of Northern Ireland.
Top Sporting Countries
Explore Sports by Country
All countries on the planet contribute to the global sports industry.
Select a country below and begin exploring.