Where
Dublin & Kilkenny
How to get there
Easily accessible by car, train, or bus - we’re happy to provide travel tips.
Group size
Minimum 4, travelling solo or as a couple? Join one of our open group dates in Dublin
From
€95 p.p.
Choose your Matchday
Be part of our founding experience - feel the real local atmosphere, not the one of a passing visitor.
The Gaelic Games experience from Beyond the Pitch is the most direct way to experience Irish sporting culture as an outsider - not from a bus window, but from the stands, the pitch, and the pub where locals go after the final whistle.
We run small-group hurling experiences in Kilkenny and Gaelic Football and Hurling experiences in Dublin. Each experience includes: a guided introduction to the sport and its history, a training session with local coaches, and access to a live GAA match
No prior knowledge of Gaelic Games is needed. Groups start from 4 participants.
The Kilkenny
Experience
Welcome to Kilkenny, the hurling capital of the world. Home of the legendary Kilkenny Cats - Ireland's most successful hurling team and the pride of the county.
In Kilkenny, hurling is more than just a game. Local clubs form the backbone of social life, where children grow up playing and families gather to support their county or club. With our Kilkenny Experience, you'll learn, play and feel the thrill of the fastest field sport in the world.
Guide
James
Sport
Hurling
From
€95 p.p.
Culture & Heritage
The heart of rural Kilkenny
Your experience begins with a unique introduction to the world of hurling. Meet our expert on the ground: James, a Kilkenny-native with a lifelong love for the sport. Through an engaging presentation, he introduces you to the history, rules and cultural significance of hurling.
This takes place at a location of your choice:
- —A traditional Irish pub in the heart of the rural village of Freshford, Kilkenny
- —The intense environment of a players' dressing room, just a stone's throw from Nowlan Park - the iconic stadium of the Kilkenny Cats
Step onto the Pitch
Master the skills for yourself
After immersing yourself in the world of hurling, it's time to take the hurley into your own hands. Led by expert local coaches, you'll learn the fundamentals of the game: the ground stroke, hand pass, solo run and hand strike. Soon you'll be ready to take your first shot at the goalposts.
The moment you strike the sliotar for the first time is one you won't forget.
Live Hurling Matchday Immersion
Attendance at a live GAA match included
There's only one thing left to complete the experience: watching the very best players in action. As the first whistle sounds, the match explodes into life. Fast, physical and played with incredible skill and precision, hurling is one of the most spectacular sports you'll ever witness.
With a list of local pubs recommended by James, you can follow the footsteps of the fans and experience matchday the true Kilkenny way.
Besides being the hurling capital of Ireland, Kilkenny is a vibrant medieval city. Known as the "Marble City," it enchants visitors with cobbled streets, colourful shopfronts, cosy cafés and the impressive Kilkenny Castle overlooking it all.
Straight from the
people who were there
Meet James
from Kilkenny
"Growing up in Kilkenny, hurling was a way of life. I love welcoming visitors - showing them that while the capital has the lights, Kilkenny has the soul of the game. I don't just teach the skills; I pass on the 3,000 years of history that live in our streets."
Everything you need
Match Access
Seats for Gaelic Football or Hurling matches.
Expert Local Guide
Passionate guide who knows Gaelic Games inside and out.
GAA Training Session
Step onto the pitch with local coaches and experience the fastest field sport yourself.
Community Visits
Access to local GAA clubs and authentic interactions with people who live the game.
Pub Experience
Irish cuisine, pub culture and the authentic matchday atmosphere.
Cultural Activities
Heritage sites, Irish storytelling and traditions passed down for generations.
The games. The people. The feeling.
Good to know
What's Not Included
Flights to and from Ireland
Accommodation - recommendations provided
Travel insurance
Meals not mentioned in the experience
Free guide
Never miss a game
in Ireland
Get the full 2026 GAA fixtures calendar for Kilkenny and Dublin - including the matches we attend with our experiences.
- All hurling and Gaelic football fixtures
- Kilkenny and Dublin - both locations
- Our picks for the best matches to attend
Want to check availability? Send us your preferred date and we'll send you the full fixtures guide.
Send us a WhatsAppFree. No spam. We'll get back to you quickly.
2026 GAA fixtures - preview
Kilkenny v Tipperary
Nowlan Park · 15 Jun
Dublin v Kerry
Croke Park · 22 Jun
Kilkenny v Wexford
Nowlan Park · 6 Jul
Dublin v Mayo
Croke Park · 13 Jul
+ 18 more fixtures in the full guide
Ready to Experience
Gaelic Games?
Step into an experience where sport opens doors to Irish culture, community, and identity.