National Stadium (Ireland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Stadium |
|
|---|---|
.JPG)
Stadium exterior (2010)
|
|
| General information | |
| Type | Stadium |
| Address | 145 South Circular Road Dublin 8 D08 HY40 Ireland |
| Opening | 1939 |
| Owner | IABA |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 2,000 |
The National Stadium (which means An Staid Náisiúnta in Irish) in Dublin, Ireland, is a famous building made especially for boxing. People often call it the National Boxing Stadium. The Irish Athletic Boxing Association owns and runs this stadium. It was built in 1939. A man named Major General W. R. E. Murphy, who was a high-ranking officer in the Garda Síochána (Ireland's police force), first suggested building it in 1935. He and his wife, Mary Agnes Murphy, helped raise money to build it. Today, the stadium hosts over 55 days of boxing each year, along with many other exciting events.
Contents
About the Stadium
The National Stadium was officially opened in 1939 by a government minister named Frank Aiken. The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) has owned it for over 60 years. They use it for all their important national and international boxing competitions.
What Happens Here?
The stadium is a busy place! Besides boxing, it hosts many other events.
Music Concerts
For many years, the stadium was a popular spot for music concerts. Famous bands like Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, U2, Van Morrison, and The Smiths have all played there. A very important moment happened on February 26, 1980, when the band U2 played a concert. Executives from Island Records were there, and after the show, they signed U2 to their very first record deal!
Professional Wrestling Shows
Since the early 2000s, the stadium has also become a regular place for professional wrestling events. Wrestling groups such as Irish Whip Wrestling and Over the Top Wrestling have held exciting shows in the building.
Other Events
The stadium is located on the South Circular Road in Dublin. It's not just for sports; it also has spaces for concerts, big meetings (conferences), and special company events.
How Big Is It?
The stadium can hold different numbers of people depending on the event. For music concerts, it can fit up to 2,080 people. For boxing and wrestling, the number is a bit smaller, around 1,954 people. This is because space is needed for the boxing or wrestling ring. There's also a special area called the Ringside club. This club can seat up to 400 people for parties or dinners. Sometimes, smaller boxing events for junior boxers also happen here.
Keeping It New
In December 1999, the government, through the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Jim McDaid, announced a large grant of £1.3 million. This money was used to update and improve the stadium. During this update, the two-story building got a new look with a modern grey stone front.]
