ВУЗ:
Составители:
Рубрика:
23
Athletics’ facilities have been much improved in both parts of Ireland in
recent years. In Belfast, the magnificent track at Queen’s University has helped
many young hopefuls, while facilities at institutions like University College
have had similar benefits in Dublin. Track and field achievements over the
years, from Dr Pat O’Callaghan’s gold medal in the hammer at the 1928 and
1932 Olympics to Ronnie Delaney’s win in the 1956 Olympics and Eamonn
Coghlan’s much more recent 5,000 metres world championship, have all in-
spired Irish athletes. In the North, personalities like Mary Peters have popular-
ized the sport. Public interest extends to marathons, which in Dublin for instance
attract 10,000 runners.
Swimming is another area where facilities have been much improved, es-
pecially in Northern Ireland, where many new pools, usually in leisure centres,
offer first class standards.
Horse racing is organized at twenty-five tracks all over Ireland. It attracts
large crowds and supports a substantial industry. Vincent O’Brien’s training and
breeding facilities in County Tipperary are internationally known. Classic flat
races are run at the Curragh; in the North, there are a number of top class
courses, such as Downpatrick. Hurdle racing and steeplechasing are well-
supported, while show jumping has become international in its appeal. The Dub-
lin Horse Show, which has developed considerably in recent years, is held at the
RDS every August and is a major tournament on the international circuit. Hunt-
ing on horseback has a devoted following, especially in the southern counties of
Ireland, such as Limerick and Tipperary. Pony trekking has devoted as an agree-
able sporting pastime in many tourist areas. Most large towns and cities in Ire-
land have greyhound racing tracks, although the sport has fallen on hard times in
the North in recent years and a degree of rationalization seems inevitable in the
Republic.
Other sports that are well-supported in Ireland include car racing, cricket,
hockey, squash and tennis. Angling is a major sport, since Ireland North and
south offers good catches in all types of fishing, coarse, game and sea. The rod
licence dispute I the Republic was a major hindrance during 1988 and 1989,
however especially in areas dependent on angling tourism.
Many canals in the east, midlands and north of Ireland hold good stocks
of coarse fish, including bream, perch, pike and roach, while the lake country of
the north midlands, stretching to the Erne system which straddles the border, is
also good coarse fishing territory. However, some midland lakes like Derrava-
ragh and Owel, are now too seriously polluted for worthwhile fishing. Some riv-
ers, too, particularly in areas of Munster, are becoming seriously affected by
pollution. Lakes in the west and north-west of Ireland have escaped the pollution
peril. West of Ireland rivers still give good salmon and trout fishing. Coastal
fishing is a rewarding sport in all parts of Ireland, North and South. In some re-
gions, like the east coast, it is the more prosaic species like cod and Pollack,
while County Kerry is renowned for its bass catches. Off the south coast of Ire-
Athletics facilities have been much improved in both parts of Ireland in
recent years. In Belfast, the magnificent track at Queens University has helped
many young hopefuls, while facilities at institutions like University College
have had similar benefits in Dublin. Track and field achievements over the
years, from Dr Pat OCallaghans gold medal in the hammer at the 1928 and
1932 Olympics to Ronnie Delaneys win in the 1956 Olympics and Eamonn
Coghlans much more recent 5,000 metres world championship, have all in-
spired Irish athletes. In the North, personalities like Mary Peters have popular-
ized the sport. Public interest extends to marathons, which in Dublin for instance
attract 10,000 runners.
Swimming is another area where facilities have been much improved, es-
pecially in Northern Ireland, where many new pools, usually in leisure centres,
offer first class standards.
Horse racing is organized at twenty-five tracks all over Ireland. It attracts
large crowds and supports a substantial industry. Vincent OBriens training and
breeding facilities in County Tipperary are internationally known. Classic flat
races are run at the Curragh; in the North, there are a number of top class
courses, such as Downpatrick. Hurdle racing and steeplechasing are well-
supported, while show jumping has become international in its appeal. The Dub-
lin Horse Show, which has developed considerably in recent years, is held at the
RDS every August and is a major tournament on the international circuit. Hunt-
ing on horseback has a devoted following, especially in the southern counties of
Ireland, such as Limerick and Tipperary. Pony trekking has devoted as an agree-
able sporting pastime in many tourist areas. Most large towns and cities in Ire-
land have greyhound racing tracks, although the sport has fallen on hard times in
the North in recent years and a degree of rationalization seems inevitable in the
Republic.
Other sports that are well-supported in Ireland include car racing, cricket,
hockey, squash and tennis. Angling is a major sport, since Ireland North and
south offers good catches in all types of fishing, coarse, game and sea. The rod
licence dispute I the Republic was a major hindrance during 1988 and 1989,
however especially in areas dependent on angling tourism.
Many canals in the east, midlands and north of Ireland hold good stocks
of coarse fish, including bream, perch, pike and roach, while the lake country of
the north midlands, stretching to the Erne system which straddles the border, is
also good coarse fishing territory. However, some midland lakes like Derrava-
ragh and Owel, are now too seriously polluted for worthwhile fishing. Some riv-
ers, too, particularly in areas of Munster, are becoming seriously affected by
pollution. Lakes in the west and north-west of Ireland have escaped the pollution
peril. West of Ireland rivers still give good salmon and trout fishing. Coastal
fishing is a rewarding sport in all parts of Ireland, North and South. In some re-
gions, like the east coast, it is the more prosaic species like cod and Pollack,
while County Kerry is renowned for its bass catches. Off the south coast of Ire-
23
