Replying To Cockney_Cat: "Having lived in England most of my life, I hardly ever get to see a inter county match in Nowlan Park. But as a young boy, born and bred a stones throw away, some of my earliest memories involve it. So on a lovely June summers evening, three years ago, on a trip home to visit my 85 year old mum we went to see Kilkenny v Wexford in the Leinster Championship. She hadn't been to a match since she was a young woman, haven't spent most of her adult life in England. It was a thrilling game, 0-7 - 1-11 to Wexford at half-time, 0-22 - 1-18 to Kilkenny at full-time. The crowd was about 18.000, families, teenagers, et al, with huge support from Wexford. It was a wonderful night, epitomising all that is good about the GAA. Sadly mum passed away last year, but the memories of that night will always stay with me."
Some of those games between Wexford and Kilkenny Leinster finals, draws and replays were unbelievable. Games in Nowlan Park and Croke Park you had to be there to absorb the atmosphere.
I concur with their number 1 but I would still dispute (as per a thread before) that Thurles is #2. There is so much to love about Nowlan Park. The atmosphere is always mighty, my best memory there is a Wexford Waterford qualifier a few years ago? The place was absolutely heaving. But Kilkenny always create a din in the place as well. Well located, easy to get to and close to the pubs. What is not to love? I hate Thurles. Haven't been there too often, but I don't think it is much of a town or stadium. The new Pairc is just a monstrous waste of money. It is a nice stadium but it is a PAIN to get to. Wexford were brought there twice in recent years and the 2nd time, just said no. Always like Portlaoise and Tullamore, good stadiums and decent facilities. I think Wexford Park is a good stadium, but I hope the toilets have got a serious facelift by the time the turnstiles roll again. And the Town End has portaloos for big games - in all fairness. Unfortunately, have never visited the bulk of the stadiums in the country, we seem to always play at the same handful.