Ireland Is Hosting Its First Ever Quidditch Cup In Dublin

Dublin is all set to host the first ever Quidditch Cup in Ireland, with three teams lined up to play the adapted version of the famous Harry Potter broomstick-based sport in an effort to qualify for the European Quidditch Cup, which takes place in Germany in April.

This version of Quidditch was adapted from the Harry Potter sport in Vermont back in 2005, and is sometimes jokingly referred to as ‘Muggle Quidditch’, due to the obvious issue with players not being able to fly on broomsticks. The fast-growing sport is already played competitively in quite a few countries, with the latest World Cup in the sport taking place in Frankfurt (Germany) in 2016, and featuring national sides from 21 countries, with Australia inflicting a first-ever international defeat on the United States to win the tournament.

Team Ireland finished 19th amongst the 21 teams, but have since shown strong development at a successful European tournament in Odense, Denmark, over the summer. The Irish Quidditch Cup will see the young sport showcased in the Irish capital by teams from three of Ireland’s major cities, with Dublin Draíochta Dragons Quidditch, Northern Wyverns Quidditch (Belfast) and Galway Grindylows set to compete in the tournament on January 20, 2018.

The tournament will take place at Trinity College in Dublin city centre, which lends its own Harry Potter-like vibe to the game, being the location of the fantastically Rowling-esque Trinity College Library, one of Ireland’s main tourist attractions.

Echoing the Harry Potter version of the game, Quidditch has three hoops, with points scored by throwing a ball through them after which the ball is passed to the other team to allow them to attack.

To score points, players must get the quaffle, a volleyball (not fully inflated) into one of three of the opposing hoops, scoring 10 points per effort. To prevent the quaffle from advancing down the pitch, chasers and keepers are able to tackle opposing players by throwing dodgeballs at them. Should they hit, the player must drop the ball and broom – yes, they do in fact carry a broom!

The game ends once the infamous golden snitch – which is released into play after 17 minutes, followed by its seekers after 18 minutes, is caught by one of those seekers, in turn awarding that team 30 points.

The book ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts One & Two (Special Rehearsal Edition)’/Shutterstock.com

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.