In order to promote the UEFA European Championships coming to Dublin in 2020 - with four games set to be played at Aviva Stadium - the Football Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council and The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport joined forces to create a National Football Exhibition.
The Exhibition will open to the public on the day of the Qualifying Draw for UEFA EURO 2020 - Sunday, December 2. And it will remain open until December 9, before traveling to seven different venues around Ireland throughout 2019 and 2020 and then returning to Dublin for the tournament.
Houghton, who played and scored in Ireland's first-ever appearance at the European Championships in 1988, is excited about the Exhibition giving free access to anyone interested in learning about 60 years of the tournament, reliving some golden Irish footballing memories, discovering rare memorabilia, programmes, jerseys & artefacts, and having fun with the interactive stations & photobooth.
"For parents, I think it's hugely important to take your children in and give them an insight into what European Football is about - and also the achievements of the Irish team," said Houghton.
"From 1988 qualification, going over to Germany and the highs of beating England. Overall, we are going to take the Exhibition to seven venues around the country and there should be a celebration (about the EUROs coming to Dublin).
"I think it's brilliant and we really need to do this and showcase this as best as we can, because we need to bring through the next generation of Irish players."
The Exhibition is made up of six zones, with each zone designed to give you an overview of the various different aspects of football in Ireland, the impact this has around the country, some of your favourite and most memorable National and International moments and a look at some of the most iconic moments over the last 60 years of the EUROs. The zones will be made up of memorabilia displays and interactive stations with videos, quizzes and an opportunity to step up to the mic and record your own commentary.
Download the National Football Exhibition App now ahead of your visit.
Printworks, Dublin Castle Opening Times
Sunday December 2nd– 11:00 – 19:00
Monday December 3rd– 11:00 – 19:00
Tuesday December 4th– 11:00 – 19:00
Wednesday December 5th- 11:00 – 19:00
Thursday December 6th- 11:00 – 17:00
Friday December 7th- 11:00 – 21:00
Saturday December 8th- 11:00 – 21:00
Sunday December 9th- 11:00 – 21:00
Additional Venues
Sligo – February 2019
Cork – March 2019
Limerick – June 2019
Waterford – August 2019
Donegal – September 2019
Dundalk – February 2020
Galway – March 2020
Dublin – June 2020