About Tallaght Stadium
Tallaght Stadium, the newest in the league, has come about not without its controversy! The original lease of the land was approved by the South Dublin County Council way back in 1997! Work got underway in October 2000 in which the drainage, main stand, and other buildings were either near or fully completed. After a long period where no work was undertaken on the project the Planning Board decided to refuse plans to extend the lease in December 2004 and the next month the lease had ended. 2005 also saw the club go into administration, where prolonged talks were held concerning Rovers' plans to use the stadium.
In the middle of that year, the local GAA club Thomas Davies began a public consultation process in which it demanded the pitch dimensions be made big enough to accommodate the playing of Gaelic Games. This would drive up costs while dramatically cutting the potential capacity of the ground. After a lengthy process, Thomas Davies' appeals were thrown out on the basis that the ground was in fact big enough to accommodate junior games, and their claims of the dimensions 'restricting the youth to a diet of association football' thrown out. Work finally recommenced in May of 2008 and the stadium was finally opened on the 13th March 2009
Today, the stadium is regarded as one of the best in the country for football, and holds 6,000 people. For a brief moment during Rovers' Europa League campaign that was brought over 8,500 with the construction of a temporary stand on the south end of the ground, in order to come into line with UEFA Regulations, but they have since been cleared. The ground has played host to games in both Rugby codes as well as American Football!!
In the middle of that year, the local GAA club Thomas Davies began a public consultation process in which it demanded the pitch dimensions be made big enough to accommodate the playing of Gaelic Games. This would drive up costs while dramatically cutting the potential capacity of the ground. After a lengthy process, Thomas Davies' appeals were thrown out on the basis that the ground was in fact big enough to accommodate junior games, and their claims of the dimensions 'restricting the youth to a diet of association football' thrown out. Work finally recommenced in May of 2008 and the stadium was finally opened on the 13th March 2009
Today, the stadium is regarded as one of the best in the country for football, and holds 6,000 people. For a brief moment during Rovers' Europa League campaign that was brought over 8,500 with the construction of a temporary stand on the south end of the ground, in order to come into line with UEFA Regulations, but they have since been cleared. The ground has played host to games in both Rugby codes as well as American Football!!
Away Fans
Tallaght has been a very comfortable and enjoyable place to watch a football match as an away supporter in personal experience. Each seat has an excellent view, there are plenty of helpful stewards and Gardaí, and facilites in the ground for away fans are just as good as for home fans. The ground can be suseptable to wind due to it's two stand construction, but it's a minor complaint in a stadium that ranks amongst the best in catering for away supporters.
Directions
By Road: Leave M50 at junction 11 (Sign: N81 Tallaght, City Centre). From roundabout, exit onto N81 (Sign: Blessington, Tallaght). Continue on N81 to the stadium which is on your right.
By Bus:
By Luas: From Connolly & Heuston Stations. Also stops at the Red Cow Car Park and are a very popular form of transport to and from the game
By Bus:
- From Eden Quay & Templeogue: 49, 65, 65b
- From Eden Quay & Harold's Cross: 54a
- From Ringsend, Dolphin's Barn & Walkinstown: 50, 56a, 77, 77a
- From Dún Laoghaire, Stillorgan & Firhouse: 75
- From Ballyfermot & Clondalkin: 76, 76a, 76b
- From City West: 50, 65b, 201, 202
- From Milltown & Dundrum: 48a to Broadford Walk (terminus), then 75 to Tallaght
- From Liffey Valley & Clondalkin: 210
By Luas: From Connolly & Heuston Stations. Also stops at the Red Cow Car Park and are a very popular form of transport to and from the game
Parking
Parking can be found at the Square in the centre of Tallaght, which closes at half 10 on a Friday evening. If you're unsure, using the M&S overnight carpark in Belgard Square West, whose overnight rate is a mere 3 euro! Don't worry if the gates seem locked on your departure (as they were for us!), they're simply motion sensitive, and will open back once you drive close to the gates. If you have any other problems the car park is monitored by a security man, as is much of the area at night.
Food & Drink
Outside the Ground: The Square has a number eateries of all types. Fast food, sandwich shops and cafés are dotted all around the centre. We elected for Harry Ramsdens, a fish and chip chain shop which turned out to be nice and cheap at the price! For those of you on a budget, there's a Lidl across the way from the main stand!
Inside the Ground: Hot and cold food is available for away fans. The shop has the usual mix of drinks, sweets, and crisps, and some Tim Horton doghnuts to boot! There's also a Papa John's stall for on-demand pizza!
Pubs: The Square region has a number of pubs that are good for a pre-match pint, though the Glenmalure suite at the stadium is strictly Rovers' memebers only!
Inside the Ground: Hot and cold food is available for away fans. The shop has the usual mix of drinks, sweets, and crisps, and some Tim Horton doghnuts to boot! There's also a Papa John's stall for on-demand pizza!
Pubs: The Square region has a number of pubs that are good for a pre-match pint, though the Glenmalure suite at the stadium is strictly Rovers' memebers only!