National Stadium (Ireland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Stadium |
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Stadium exterior (2010)
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| 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 (Irish: An Staid Náisiúnta) is a special building in Dublin, Ireland. Many people also call it the National Boxing Stadium. It was built just for boxing and is run by the Irish Athletic Boxing Association.
A police officer named Major General W. R. E. Murphy first suggested building the stadium in 1935. He and his wife, Mary Agnes Murphy, worked hard to raise money for it. They managed to collect about one-third of the total cost. The stadium opened in 1939 and hosts more than 55 days of boxing every year, along with other fun events.
Contents
About the National Stadium
The National Stadium was officially opened in 1939 by a government minister named Frank Aiken. The Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) owns the stadium. For over 60 years, it has been the main place for national and international boxing matches in Ireland.
Music Concerts
In the past, the stadium was a popular spot for music concerts. Many famous bands played there, including The Dubliners, Horslips, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, U2, Van Morrison, and The Smiths.
A very important event happened on February 26, 1980. The band U2 played a concert at the stadium. Executives from Island Records were there. After seeing their performance, the record company signed U2 to their first music contract!
Professional Wrestling Events
Since the early 2000s, the National Stadium has also become a regular place for professional wrestling shows. Wrestling groups like Irish Whip Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action, and Over the Top Wrestling have all held exciting events in the building.
Stadium Location and Uses
The stadium is located on the South Circular Road in Dublin. It's between Clanbrassil Street and Dolphin's Barn.
Besides amateur and professional boxing and professional wrestling, the stadium is also used for other things. It hosts concerts, big meetings (conferences), and special events for companies.
How Many People Can Fit?
The National 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 events, the capacity is a bit smaller, at 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. It can seat up to 400 people for parties or dinners. Sometimes, smaller boxing events for junior boxers also happen in this club.
Stadium Upgrades
In December 1999, the government provided a grant of £1.3 million (which is about €1.65 million today). This money was used to give the stadium a big makeover. During this refurbishment, the two-story building got a new, modern look with a grey limestone front.
See also
In Spanish: Estadio Nacional de Dublín para niños
