What a week it has been. From early morning airport meet-ups and scenic flights to Italy, to rugby matches against decorated Italian opposition, boat tours across one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes, theme parks and unforgettable nights around Lake Garda, this tour had everything.
Two squads from Galway Corinthians RFC and one from Westport RFC three touring groups in total, drawn from Connacht’s largest club and one of its oldest — travelled from Dublin and Knock to Northern Italy for an action-packed week of sport, adventure and memories. Designed and delivered start to finish by Irish Rugby Tours, working with both clubs to build a programme that suited every group, every age grade, and every parent travelling alongside.
About the Touring Clubs
A quick word on who came on tour. Galway Corinthians “So Run That You May Win” was founded in 1932 and is the largest rugby union club in Connacht. The club has multiple Connacht Senior Cup and League titles to its name, the men’s All Ireland Cup (1985), the Women’s AIL and All Ireland Cup, and is rightly proud of a youth section that’s been quietly producing players for decades.
Westport RFC was founded in 1925, making it one of the oldest clubs in Connacht — and the club has just marked its centenary. Today Westport caters for more than 180 minis and 200 youth players (boys and girls) from U13 up to U18.5. A small Mayo town turning out an enormous junior section is exactly the kind of grassroots rugby story we love bringing on tour.
Wheels Up for Italy ✈️
The excitement began in the early hours as groups gathered at Dublin and Knock Airports before boarding Ryanair flights to Milan Bergamo. Despite the sleepy starts, spirits were high from the moment everyone checked in. The anticipation of sunshine, rugby and Italian adventures made the early alarms worth it.
After landing in Italy, groups met their Irish Rugby Tours guides and transferred to their accommodation at The Garda Village and Camping Bella Italia — both located right beside the stunning shores of Lake Garda.
The first afternoon gave everyone the chance to settle in, explore the resorts, relax by the pools and soak up the atmosphere of Italy before the activities really kicked off.
Full Speed Ahead – South Garda Karting 🏎️
One of the highlights of the week came at South Garda Karting, where competitive spirits immediately took over. Helmets on, engines roaring, and suddenly everyone believed they were Formula 1 drivers.
There were dramatic overtakes, questionable racing lines and plenty of celebrations after the chequered flag. Whether you finished first or last, the laughs and friendly rivalry made this one of the most talked-about activities of the trip.
Rugby Takes Centre Stage 🏉
Of course, the main focus of the tour was rugby — and the teams represented themselves brilliantly throughout the week.
Fixtures against local Italian opposition included Rugby Brescia, a club whose rugby roots in the city date back to 1928, and participation in the Alfredo Gavazzi Tournament at Rugby Calvisano — one of the most decorated clubs in Italian rugby, with seven Italian titles to its name.
The Gavazzi Tournament is a memorial tournament for the late Alfredo Gavazzi, a former president of the Italian Rugby Federation who founded Rugby Calvisano in 1970. It’s grown into one of Italy’s best-loved youth rugby events — over 800 young players took part in the most recent edition, and Calvisano is regularly chosen by World Rugby as a host venue (most recently for the U20 World Championship).
The atmosphere at the games was incredible. Local clubs showed amazing hospitality after matches by providing food and welcoming everyone warmly. These fixtures were more than just rugby games — they were opportunities to build friendships, experience Italian rugby culture and create unforgettable memories together. The players gave everything on the pitch and should be incredibly proud of their performances, teamwork, and attitude throughout the tour.
Exploring Lake Garda 🚤🌅
No trip to Northern Italy would be complete without experiencing the beauty of Lake Garda itself.
Groups enjoyed scenic boat tours with Navicharters from Peschiera del Garda, cruising along the beautiful Lake Garda waterfront. Gliding across the crystal-clear water with mountain views in the background felt like something straight out of a film.a
Once ashore, everyone had free time to explore the charming streets, cafés, gelato shops and lakeside scenery. From taking photos at the harbour to grabbing pizza and ice cream under the Italian sun, these quieter moments became some of the most enjoyable parts of the trip.
A Day at Gardaland 🎢
If there was one day that tested everyone’s bravery, it was the trip to Gardaland.
From giant rollercoasters to water rides and adrenaline attractions, the park delivered nonstop excitement from morning until evening. Some tackled the biggest rides immediately, while others took a slower approach before eventually giving in to the pressure from teammates and friends.
By the end of the day, everyone had stories to tell — whether it was screaming through loops at high speed, getting soaked on water rides, or simply enjoying the atmosphere and food around the park.
The Tour Experience 🇮🇹
Beyond the activities themselves, what made the week truly special was the atmosphere among the groups. Whether relaxing at the resorts, eating dinner together, walking through Italian towns, or supporting teammates from the side-lines, the trip created memories that will stay with everyone for years to come.
There were laughs at breakfast, card games late at night, endless photo opportunities, and moments where friendships grew even stronger. Tours like these are about far more than sport — they’re about experiences, connections, and creating stories people will still be talking about long after the flights home.
Until Next Time ✈️
As the groups returned to Dublin and Knock Airports after an unforgettable few days in Italy, there was definitely a feeling that nobody wanted the trip to end.
From rugby matches and karting battles to boat tours and rollercoasters, Lake Garda 2026 delivered an incredible experience from start to finish. A huge thank you goes to all players, coaches, organisers, supporters and host clubs who helped make the tour such a success.
Italy, you were unforgettable. 🇮🇹
The Bigger Picture: Connacht to Calvisano
Italian club rugby and Connacht rugby have plenty in common — proud regional identities, deep grassroots, and a habit of producing players who play above their weight. Tours like this one connect young Irish players with clubs in places like Brescia and Calvisano, opening their eyes to how the game is played in Italy, the country that punches up to the Six Nations and now regularly hosts World Rugby U20 fixtures.
And for the parents and supporters who travel? Italy is one of the easiest, sunniest, most family-friendly tour destinations on our roster. Direct Ryanair flights from Dublin or Knock to Milan Bergamo put you on the shores of Lake Garda inside three hours.
About Irish Rugby Tours
Irish Rugby Tours has been arranging school, youth, club, college, senior and supporters’ rugby tours for more than 20 years. We are fully ITAA-licensed, Irish Aviation Authority licensed (TA0760), and members of the Sustainable Tourism Network.
Every tour is designed around the touring squad — fixtures pitched at the right level, accommodation that fits the group, cultural and family-friendly activities alongside the rugby, and full on-the-ground support from the moment your team lands until they’re back through arrivals at home.
Plan Your Club’s Italy Tour
| Inspired by Lake Garda? Italy is one of our most popular destinations for Irish and UK club tours — Lake Garda for family-friendly tours, Lignano Sabbiadoro for festival rugby, plus Parma, Venice, Milan, Rome and Florence on request. We’ll build a tour around your club, your age grades, your dates and your budget. Talk to us: Contact Irish Rugby Tours · info@irishrugbytours.com · +353 1 685 6277 Learn more: Rugby Tours to Italy · School & Youth Rugby Tours · Testimonials |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which clubs went on this tour?
Galway Corinthians RFC sent two touring squads and Westport RFC sent one — three groups in total, both Connacht clubs, travelling from Dublin and Knock Airports.
Who did the touring teams play in Italy?
Fixtures against Rugby Brescia A.S.D. and participation in the Alfredo Gavazzi Tournament hosted by Rugby Calvisano, one of Italy’s most decorated rugby clubs.
Where did the groups stay?
The Garda Village and Camping Bella Italia, both directly on the shores of Lake Garda in the Peschiera del Garda area. See Lake Garda accommodation options.
Can other clubs book a similar tour?
Absolutely. Lake Garda is one of our most popular family-friendly tour destinations and we run tours there every year for Irish, UK and international clubs. Get in touch and we’ll put a programme together for your club.
How long is the tour and how do flights work?
Most Lake Garda tours run 4-6 nights. Direct Ryanair flights from Dublin or Knock to Milan Bergamo put you on the shores of the lake inside three hours of leaving the airport in Ireland.
The Vatican City is actually its own state within Italy and is the smallest in the world.
You can’t come to Rome and not visit one of the most famous attractions in the world, the mighty Coliseum.
Just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum lies the fantastic ruins of Rome’s ancient Forum.
Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as being designated as a national park.
The gorgeous Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic spots in Italy. If you want to experience as much of it as possible then consider taking a boat trip along the shore line.
If you are going to visit charming Sicily as part of your travels, your first stop needs to be the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.
On a visit to Sicily you absolutely can’t miss the chance to climb at least part way up Stromboli, a still active volcano. If you are looking for an easy trek, you can walk 400 meters up the sides of Stromboli by yourself.
Verona is home to what is said to be the balcony of Juliet, the character made famous in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet.
Pompeii is famous for the events that took place here in 79 AD, when Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered the town in ash.
Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous mountains in the world. Trueof its famous eruption that covered the unsuspecting town of Pompeii in volcanic ash.
Lake Como in Lombardy spans an amazing 146 square kilometres and is the perfect place to get out on the water and explore Italy by boat.
The city of Siena is often overlooked in favour of Florence. Although this is unfair as there is a huge amount to see and do here. Parts of the city are as pretty as its neighbouring rival.
Venice has a range of peerless attractions although perhaps the most famous of these is Saint Mark’s Basilica.This is located on the famed Piazza San Marco or Saint Mark’s Square.
The Grand Canal in Venice is one of the most famous waterways in the world. There are a variety of ways that you can enjoy it.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa is a fluke of architecture. When the tower was constructed it immediately started to sink into the marshy ground beneath it.
One of the premium sights in Capri is the Blue Grotto, also known as the Grotta Azzurra.
