Leinster is one of four provincial rugby teams in Ireland competing in the Celtic League and the Heineken Cup.
Historically, Leinster played in Donnybrook in the South side of Dublin and this venue is still used for training and some matches. Since 2008 the RDS Arena has been their home ground and has been redeveloped to hold 18,500.
The “Leinster Lions” came into existence in 2001 as part of a marketing initiative with its sponsor the sports clothing company, Canterbury but the ‘Lions’ part was dropped just before last season, and the name reverted back to Leinster Rugby.
After winning the Heineken Cup in 2009, Leinster were 3rd in the European Rugby Rankings only behind Munster and Leicester.
Out and About: Dublin experienced a economic boom in the 1990's that brought about a transformation in Ireland's capital city. The wave of immigrants that prosperity attracted reversed the emigration levels it had traditionally experienced and Dublin found itself embracing multi-culturalism and a more global outlook.
Dublin has an energy and dynamism about the city that is somewhat at odds with the more relaxed atmosphere of the rest of the city. Yet there is still an abundance of bars offering traditional music, good beer and a genuinely friendly welcome from Dubliners.
Attractions include guided visits of the Guinness brewery, Christ Church Cathedral and the National Gallery, which houses a fine collection of Old Masters and Impressionists.
