Categories: Supporters Club The IRFU

Lansdowne Road Auction Announced

Following the approval of planning permission in March 2007 to build a new stadium on the site of Lansdowne Road, the Irish Rugby Football Union has announced details of an auction of memorabilia from the oldest international rugby stadium in the world.

Hundreds of assets from the world’s oldest International Rugby Stadium, Lansdowne Road, are to be sold by online auction.

Following the approval of planning permission in March 2007 to build a new stadium on the site of Lansdowne Road, the Irish Rugby Football Union has announced that hundreds of items of memorabilia and stadium collectables will be sold between 26th and 30th April 2007.

The ground’s rugby history spans nearly 130 years to the first international rugby match that took place there against England on 11th March 1878. During this time, the stadium has seen some memorable matches and events, culminating in the last international game against the Pacific Islands on 26th November 2006.

The stadium has seen many changes during its life, with the completion of the Guinness East Stand the last major development to the ground. This will all change with the development of the new stadium on the site of Lansdowne Road at a cost of €365m which is due to be completed in 2009.

But before the old stadium is taken down, Irish rugby aficionados will have a chance to own a little piece of Irish rugby history. Items up for auction include the Irish Presidents seat, old style entry turnstiles, signs, seats from various positions in the stadium, signed jerseys and memorabilia.

Renowned auctioneers, Bache Treharne, have worked with the IRFU to prepare a selection of these items from the existing Stadium. The Online Auction is open to bids from 9.00am on Thursday, 26th April with bidding closing on Monday, 30th April 2007 at 1.00pm.

IRFU Commercial & Marketing Director Padraig Power said, “Lansdowne Road is an icon not only for Irish rugby and sport in general, but it also has a wonderful reputation on a global basis. The famous stadium holds some wonderful memories from its lifetime and this auction offers the chance to own a little piece of that.

“The online feature allows any fan in Ireland or overseas to participate in the auction and will allow for a more streamlined process. I wish everybody the best of luck in fulfilling their dreams and securing their part of Lansdowne Road”.

Peter Bache, Senior Partner of Bache Treharne added “We have worked with the IRFU for some time now to identify items from the stadium that will be of interest to fans and collectors. We are delighted to be working with the IRFU and our experience of large scale memorabilia auctions such as Minardi Formula 1 and more recently Arsenal’s Highbury Stadium, have afforded us the experience and grounding to deliver an outstanding sale that will be open to all.”

Full details of the forthcoming auction are available online on www.LansdowneRoadAuction.ie