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‘It’s An Opportunity For Us To Honour The People That Have Gone Before Us’

REPRO FREE ***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IRFU Officially Launch the Start of its 150th Year Celebrations 1/9/2024 The IRFU has officially launched the start of its 150th year celebrations which will run across the 2024/25 campaign from today (September 1st 2024). The IRFU will mark the 150th anniversary of Ireland’s inaugural international rugby match, which took place between Ireland and England on 15th February 1875, with a calendar of events to celebrate the game of rugby in Ireland. Pictured at the launch at IRFU Headquarters in Dublin are youth representatives from the four provinces of Ireland; Wanderers – (Leo Fenlon), Ballinasloe – (Matthew Keane), Fethard – (Megan O’Donnell) and City of Armagh (Rose Fulton). Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ben Brady

IRFU President Declan Madden says the launch of Irish Rugby’s 150th Year celebrations is an opportunity to ‘honour the people that have gone before us and look forward as well’.

The IRFU will mark the 150th Anniversary of Ireland’s inaugural Men’s international rugby match, which took place between Ireland and England on 15th February 1875, with a calendar of events to celebrate the game of rugby in Ireland across the 2024/25 season.

Ireland Women will kick off the celebrations when they take on the Wallaroos in Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Saturday, 14 September and speaking at Sunday’s launch event at IRFU HQ in Dublin, Madden and Chair of the 150 Working Party, Paul Dean, outlined the line up of events.

Also in attendance in Dublin to unveil a new crest were youth representatives from each of the four provinces; Wanderers FC (one of the founding members of the IRFU), City of Armagh RFC, Ballinasloe RFC and Fethard RFC.