As every Dublin regular knows, enjoying the “craic” at the Irish Open is almost as important as playing poker. Getting together with old friends, making new friends, listening to music, and joining in all the fun and games is part of what makes the Irish Open such a special event.
This year’s Irish Open festival is running from next Monday (April 3) through to April 10 at the Royal Dublin Society and entertainment has been planned throughout the week to ensure there is plenty of off-the-felt fun. The Irish Open never stints on “the craic” and this year will be no exception with a packed line-up of music, games, shuffleboard, beer pong and general shenanigans.
MainEventTravel.com can help you sort out all your travel needs for this year’s Irish Open. As Official Travel Partner for the Irish Open, we still have a few special deals on hotel rates at the Clayton Ballsbridge Hotel for this year’s event and a load of hotels dotted througout Dublin. You can also buy-in to the Main Event, High Rollers and Mystery Bounty events online at MainEventTravel.com.
Players’ Lounge
The Irish Open Players’ Lounge will be located in Hall 3 (the Serpentine Hall), right next to the Main Hall at the RDS. Come here to try your hand at foosball, beer pong, shuffleboard, FIFA and Corn Hole – or enjoy the chance to meet members of PokerStars Team Pro. The Players’ Lounge – located just steps away from the Chancers Arms bar – will be a vibrant hub throughout the festival with games running every night from around 9pm to 11pm, Wednesday, April 5 onwards. There will of course be prizes galore on offer to winners so don’t miss your chance to join in.
A rough schedule of activities is as follows:
Wednesday: Pokerstars Fun Casino
Thursday: PaddyPower Beer Pong Competition
Friday: PokerStars Corn Hole Compettion
Saturday: PaddyPower Race Night
Sunday: Pokerstars Shuffleboard Competition
Monday: PaddyPower Comedy Night (TBC)
Live music at the “Chancers Arms” bar
Live music is also a huge part of the Irish Open and there will be a performance every night next week in the Chancers Arms, all starting around 11.30pm. Austin Carter will get the craic going on Monday night with a mix of modern oldies and Irish music. Others on the bill include Dublin guitarist and song-writer Colin Scallan, Guto Piazza, Ben Hammond and Shane Martin. Top Irish comedian and impressionist Al Foran will be doing the “Shuffle up and deal” honours on Friday, April 7 while tacclaimed Irish band Abbeyfolk will performing in the Main Hall just before the Main Event starts at noon. The Two Bowsies will be on in the Main Hall on Thursday, April 6 and Saturday, April 8. Finding the bar couldn’t be easier – it’s located right outside the Main Hall as you go into Hall 3.
Outings
Off to the dogs
On Saturday, April 8, there’s a trip to the races at Shelbourne Park Dog Track followed by a trad music session in the celebrated Madigans bar afterwards. There will be a free bus to/from the race track. Reservations are on a first come, first served basis – please see the Irish Open promo girls in the Players’ Lounge to sign up.
Fairyhouse race meet
There’s also a VIP trip to Fairyhouse races on Easter Sunday (April 9). Space will be very limited for this trip so PLEASE GET YOUR NAME DOWN EARLY if you want to come. The Irish Open have organised a racing tipster to give expert advice in the Players’ Lounge from 11.30am to noon on Sunday before the bus leaves promptly outside the RDS.
Players Party at Krystle Night Club
Don’t miss the fabulous Irish Open Players Party at Krystle NightClub at 2, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2, on the night of Sunday, April 9. A bus will be available