Rainey Old Boys RFC

The rugby pitch at Rainey Old Boys RFC sits just outside Antrim, a proper working sports club where you can watch Ulster rugby in action. This isn't a polished stadium experience - it's the real thing. You'll find locals who've been coming here for decades, club members who know everyone by name, and the kind of atmosphere that makes match days feel genuinely special rather than sanitised.

It's worth timing a visit around their fixture list if you're into rugby. The club has serious pedigree in Irish rugby circles, and watching a match here gives you an authentic slice of grassroots sport. Bring a flask, dress for the weather - Irish rugby grounds aren't famous for creature comforts - and prepare for passionate crowds who actually understand the game.

For families, this works best if your kids are already rugby-keen. Younger children might find 80 minutes on the sidelines a bit much. Adults and serious rugby followers will get proper value from it. Check their website for the match schedule before you plan around it - turning up on a training day would be dull.

If you're staying at Sett on The Lough, the club is less than six miles away, making it an easy afternoon or evening outing during your park holiday. It's the sort of thing that rounds out a Northern Ireland trip nicely - less tourist attraction, more genuine local experience. Worth doing if rugby's your thing.