1 – March 11, 1878

Ireland…0 England…2G, 1T

This was the first international played at Lansdowne Road as when Ireland played England in the first home match in 1875, Lansdowne Road was deemed unsuitable and the match was played at the Leinster Cricket Club grounds in Rathmines. Henry Dunlop, the founder of the Lansdowne club, had purchased the lease of Lansdowne Road from the Pembroke Estate and turned it into a sport complex. Hereafter, Lansdowne Road became the headquarters of Irish rugby and has since been the venue for every senior international played in Dublin. Ireland lost the match – but a new era had been born.

2 – February 5, 1881

Ireland...2T England…2T

This was the eighth international played against England and Ireland had lost the other seven. But that afternoon, in a welter of excitement, Ireland drew, two tries each. There was controversy as after Meredith Johnston's levelling try for Ireland, the conversion was taken by Robert McLean and while one touch judge, or umpire as it was then called, deemed the kick good – another ruled it was wide!

The Ireland team of 1887

3 – February 5, 1887

Ireland...2G England...Nil

This was a famous day in the history of the game in Ireland: a first win at Lansdowne Road and the first win over England, by two goals to nil. Ireland included nine new caps in a team captained by Robert Warren. The Ireland team included John Macauley, from Limerick, who had to get married in order to get leave of absence from his job as a miller's agent. He later became an Irish selector and was President of the IRFU in 1894-95. Robert Montgomery and CR Tillie scored tries and both were converted by Daniel Rambaut.

4 – March 3, 1888

Ireland…1G, 1 DG, 1T Wales…0

This was Ireland's first win over Wales and it was touched with what was termed the innovative – Ireland played Tom Shanahan as a wing forward and with great success. He scored a try as did Warren. Rambaut converted one try and Maxwell Carpendale dropped a goal.

The Ireland team of 1894

5 – February 24, 1894

Ireland...5 Scotland...0

Coming after victory over England at Blackheath, Ireland won back-to-back matches for the first time when recording their first win over Scotland. They achieved it with a try from HG Wells and conversion from J N Lytle. Ireland went on to beat Wales in Belfast and under the leadership of Edmund Forrest, they won the Triple Crown for the first time.

An Ireland v Scotland match ticket

6 – February 4, 1899

Ireland…6 England...0

Ireland were led by the peerless Louis Magee, rated amongst the greatest backs of his era. Victory by a penalty goal and a try to nil was comprehensive for that time. Magee gave Ireland the lead with a penalty goal and when his half-back partner Glynn Allen added a try, it was assuredly Ireland's day as they recorded a third successive win over England.

Ireland in action in 1905

7 – November 25, 1905

Ireland...0 New Zealand...15

Such was the level of interest in the visit of the first All Blacks team to Dublin that the IRFU made the match the first all-ticket rugby international in history. However, Ireland could not cope on the pitch and played only seven forwards, copying the then New Zealand method of playing a "rover", a task entrusted to Basil Maclear. 

8 – March 20, 1909

Ireland...19 France...8

France had now joined the international fold and met Ireland for the first time. The match was marked by Ireland's biggest victory in international rugby at that time, their highest points tally and a record five tries. The match marked the end of the playing careers of two of Ireland's most gifted backs of the era, Harry Thrift, later an outstanding administrator, and James Cecil Park. He was a great tennis player, competing in the Davis Cup and winning the Australian and Irish championships, the Mixed Doubles three times at Wimbledon and a silver medal at the 1908 Olympic Games.

The Ireland and South Africa teams in 1912

9 – November 30, 1912

Ireland...0 South Africa…38

This was the first time the Springboks met Ireland at Lansdowne Road, the 1906 tour game having been played at Ravenhill. The historic occasion however saw an Ireland team with seven new caps being overwhelmed by a record margin of 38-0, still a record loss to South Africa who scored 10 tries that afternoon.

The Ireland team of the 1925/26 season

10 – February 13, 1926

Ireland...19 England...15

Ireland had lost eight and drawn one of the previous matches against England so there was no great expectation now. The Ireland team however contained some great players, including Ernie Crawford, Denis Cussen, George Stephenson, the Hewitt brothers Frank and Tom, Eugene Davy, Mark Sugden and Jammie Clinch and scored an unexpected and thrilling victory, highlighted by four tries.

11 – February 26, 1927

Ireland...6  Scotland...0

Those who attended this match spoke for years afterwards about the dreadful weather. The match marked the opening of the old East Stand but the roof had not been put on and the rain poured down. Those who played said they had never experienced such inclement weather. But Ireland won 6-0 and but for an 8-6 defeat by England, they would have done the Grand Slam.

The Ireland team in 1947

12 – February 8, 1947

Ireland…22 England...0

With the Second World War having ruled out official international rugby since 1939, the championship resumed in 1947. Ireland had lost to France in Dublin and there was not a great level of expectation about an Ireland side captained by full-back Con Murphy, the only Irishman to be capped before and after the War. But the Irish gave a magnificent display against England, winning by 22-0 – still the biggest victory recorded over England. The Irish pack was magnificent and the great Jack Kyle was at his majestic best at out-half. Bertie O'Hanlon scored two tries as did Barney Mullan and flanker Bill McKay got a fifth.

13 - February 28, 1948

Ireland...6 Scotland...0

Having beaten France in Paris and England at Twickenham, Ireland, captained by hooker Karl Mullen, then set up the chance of a Grand Slam and Triple Crown victory against Wales at Ravenhill, with a 6-0 win over Scotland, with scores from Jack Kyle and Barney Mullan.

The peerless Jack Kyle

14 – March 10, 1956

Ireland...11 Wales...3

Wales came to Dublin seeking the Triple Crown and were favourites to win against an Irish side that had lost to England and France. The team was captained by Noel Henderson and included half-backs Jack Kyle and John O'Meara, all survivors from the Golden Era. Kyle was at his brilliant best. He dropped a goal, while flanker Marnie Cunningham scored a try and Cecil Pedlow kicked a penalty and conversion. It was an outstanding performance that rocked the Welsh.

15 – January 18, 1958

Ireland...9 Australia...6

After the great achievements of the Golden Era from 1948 to 1951, the 1950s were not auspicious for Ireland until January 18, 1958 when for the first time; a major touring team was defeated.  Ronnie Dawson, Bill Mulcahy and Noel Murphy, three forwards later to leave a profound impact on the game, were in the Irish team. It was captained by Noel Henderson who launched a huge kick up the field and Dawson followed up to score a try. Then David Hewitt intercepted and found Henderson in support and the captain made the line after a long run, to clinch the famous win for Ireland.

16 – April 10, 1965

Ireland...9 South Africa...6

Under the leadership of Ray McLoughlin, Ireland scored an historic first ever win over South Africa. The match was heading for a draw with the score at six points each, Tom Kiernan having kicked a penalty and Pat McGrath scored a try. Then Kiernan won the match for Ireland with a late penalty to send the crowd wild with delight.

17 – October 26, 1968

Ireland...16 Australia...3

Ireland were seeking their fourth successive win over the Wallabies. Ireland had won that famous match in 1958, won again in Dublin in 1967 and had become the first of the home countries to win in the Southern Hemisphere when they beat Australia in Sydney in May 1967. Under the leadership of Tom Kiernan, they made it four in a row with tries from Ken Goodall and Barry Bresnihan and conversions from Kiernan and Johnny Moroney.

Ken Goodall goes over for a try

18 – March 14, 1970

Ireland...14 Wales…0

Wales came to Dublin as odds-on favorites to beat an Ireland team that had lost to both England and France and so win the Triple Crown. Instead Ireland tore the Welsh apart with a magnificent display marked by two superb tries, one by Alan Duggan and another by Ken Goodall, out-half Barry McGann dropped a goal and Tom Kiernan kicked a penalty and conversion.

19 – January 20, 1973

Ireland...10 New Zealand...10

This was the day a gust of win cost Ireland an historic first ever win over the All Blacks who seemed to be heading for victory as they held a 10-3 lead. However, Ireland out-half Barry McGann cut the deficit with a penalty and then in injury-time Ireland scored a great try as wing Tom Grace chipped the ball ahead and won the race for the line scoring wide on the right at the Havelock Square end. McGann's conversion seemed to be on target but was caught by a gust of wind and the ball drifted narrowly wide.

A triumph of sport over politics as England receive a five-minute standing ovation at Lansdowne Road

20 – February 10, 1973

Ireland...18 England...9

Unlike the Scots and Welsh, who refused to travel, England honoured their commitment in what was one of the most moving occasions in the history of the game. It was a triumph of sport over politics.  The England team got a standing ovation that lasted for five minutes. Ireland won the match comprehensively by 18-9 with tries from Tom Grace and Roger Milliken and two conversions, a penalty goal and drop goal from Barry McGann. At the after-match dinner the England captain John Pullin said: "we may not be very good, but at least we turn up!"

21 – March 2, 1974

Ireland...9 Scotland...6

In the final match of the season, Ireland achieved their first championship win since 1951. The Irish side was led by the great Willie John McBride and the pack also included Ray McLoughlin, Ken Kennedy, Moss Keane and Fergus Slattery. Ireland's match-winning scores were provided by Roger Milliken (try), Mike Gibson (conversion) and Stewart McKinney (penalty goal).

A Centenary match poster

22 – September 7th, 1974

Ireland...18 President's XV...18

It was appropriate that Ireland entered the Union's Centenary Year as Five Nations champions. As a central part of the celebrations Ireland played a match against an international President's XV. On a very special occasion, it was the only time that Ireland awarded caps for a match that was not against another country.

23 – February 20, 1982

Ireland...21  Scotland...12

An Ireland team had never won the Triple Crown at Lansdowne Road so against Scotland, the Irish side, coached by Tom Kiernan and captained by Ciaran Fitzgerald, had the chance to triumph for the first time since 1949. Ireland's out-half Ollie Campbell was the man-of-the-match, scoring all Ireland's 21 points. He kicked six penalty goals and dropped a goal to give Ireland their first Crown in 33 years.

Ciaran Fitzgerald salutes the crowd in 1985

24 – March 30, 1985

Ireland…13 England...10

There were few more memorable or dramatic days in the history of Lansdowne Road. Ireland, now coached by Mick Doyle, adopted an all-out attacking policy throughout the championship and had beaten Scotland and Wales and drawn with France, so a championship and a Triple Crown were on offer. As the game entered injury-time, the scores stood 10-10. Then Ireland won possession, Donal Lenihan drove forward, set up the ruck and when centre Michael Kiernan got the ball he dropped a superb goal to win the match, the Triple Crown and the championship for Ireland.

25 – November 1, 1986

Ireland…60 Romania...0

Having been whitewashed in the championship, Ireland proceeded to make history when they scored 10 tries against hapless Romania, with winger Keith Crossan equaling the Irish individual record by scoring three tries. It was the biggest win in international rugby at the time, 60 points equaling the French record set in 1967. Michael Kiernan kicked a record seven conversions.

Gordon Hamilton's famous World Cup try against Australia

26 – October 20, 1991

Ireland…18 Australia...19

The quarter final of the 1991 World Cup at Lansdowne Road was one of the most dramatic ever played. Ireland, led by Philip Matthews, played with great courage and tenacity. David Campese had scored two tried for the Wallabies but Ireland fought back and with a tremendous breakaway, Gordon Hamilton put in a great run to score an unforgettable try in the left corner at the Havelock Square end. Ralph Keyes kicked the conversion and Ireland led 18-15 as the match entered injury-time. Then came heartbreak. Ireland scrum half Rob Saunders failed to find touch from his own 22 and Australia forced a scrum near the Irish line, as a consequence of which Australian out-half Michael Lynagh got over for a try and so Ireland lost by a single point. Australia went on to win the World Cup.

27 – March 20, 1993

Ireland...17 England…3

England came to Dublin in search of a third successive Grand Slam. But it was Ireland who rose to the occasion. As the pack dominated, out-half Eric Elwood played superbly, kicking two penalty goals and dropping two goals. What really set the crowd alight was the sight, near the end, of second row Mick Galwey crashing over the England line for a try. The crowd celebrated accordingly.

Keith Wood scores against England

28 – October 20, 2001

Ireland...20 England...14

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Britain disrupted the championship and meant three of Ireland's matches were postponed until the autumn. Ireland had beaten both Italy and France prior to the break but on the resumption of the series, they lost to Scotland and then beat Wales.

A week later England came to Lansdowne Road in search of a Grand Slam, having been foiled in that attempt in the previous two seasons. An inspired Ireland foiled England for a third successive time. Ireland led 11-6 at half-time with captain Keith Wood scoring a crucial try following a lineout. The score moved to 14-9 and then 20-9 as Ronan O'Gara kicked two penalty goals. A brilliant hand trip by Peter Stringer foiled England wing Dan Luger and a try from Austin Healy was not enough to save England from a 20-14 defeat. So instead of England celebrating it was Ireland who went on a lap of honour!

29 – November 9, 2002

Ireland...18 Australia...9

Australia came to Ireland as World Cup holders and Ireland, now under the management of Brian O’Brien and with Eddie O'Sullivan as coach, gave an accomplished display to achieve a first win over the Aussies since 1979. It was marked by a fantastic individual effort by Ronan O'Gara, who scored all the points with six penalties against the visitors' three.

30 – March 27, 2004

Ireland...37 Scotland...16

Ireland had started the 2004 championship by losing to France – but then the good times began to roll. Ireland beat Wales 36-15 in Dublin, then scored a marvellous 19-13 win over World champions England at Twickenham. The Italians were then seen off and so a Triple Crown was on the line when Scotland came to Lansdowne Road. For quite a while the Scots gave Ireland some trouble but in the second half the Irish readily saw off the challenge. Ireland scored five tries to win 37-16 and thus secure the Triple Crown for the first time since 1985 – and the first time in the professional era.

Ronan O'Gara scores against South Africa in 2004

31 – November 13, 2004

Ireland...17 South Africa...12

Not since 1965 had Ireland beaten the Springboks and this match was played against the background of Ireland having lost two Tests to South Africa the previous June. South Africa also came to Lansdowne Road as reigning Tri Nations champions. It was a red letter day for Ronan O'Gara. He scored all 17 points, a crucial first half try laying the foundations for an historic win.

Denis Hickie dances through the Aussie defence to score for Ireland

32 – November 19th, 2006

Ireland...21 Australia...6

In extremely wet and windy conditions that were a fitting testament to the Lansdowne legacy in the penultimate game to be played at the 'old' stadium. Ireland produced an equally fitting performance with what was hailed in some quarters as the greatest opening 40 minutes ever by an Irish team.

Australia took the lead with a penalty from captain Stirling Mortlock but the Irish responded with a Ronan O'Gara penalty and two superbly taken tries, the first scored by the recently recalled Denis Hickie, who caught O'Gara's cross-field chip and danced around three defenders before touching down. The second came after a Donncha O'Callaghan steal at the lineout and was finished off by Geordan Murphy after some neat interchanging between O'Gara and Brian O'Driscoll and a superb Shane Horgan offload. The conditions took their toll in the second half but Ireland always remained in control with O'Gara adding two further penalties.

This victory, coupled with the comprehensive 32-15 defeat of the Springboks the previous week,
represented Ireland's first ever back-to-back wins over different sides from the Southern Hemisphere's 'big three'. All of which leaves Ireland in rude health heading towards the 2007 RBS 6 Nations and Rugby World Cup.

The scenes after the final international at the old Lansdowne Road

33 – November 26, 2006

Ireland...61 Pacific Islanders...17

Ireland said a final farewell to the world's oldest international rugby stadium with a big win. A comprehensive victory over the Pacific Islanders and three new caps, including Luke Fitzgerald, Ireland's youngest player since the 1970s, all contributed to the gala celebration as emotions ran high.

The Ireland team closed the proceedings with a ticker tape lap of honour and the impromptu donation of most of their gear to the supporters.