In Pictures: Cork rugby fans head for Six Nations clash in France tonight

Thu, 05 Feb, 2026 - 12:15

John O'Shea

Cork Airport was a sea of green this morning as Irish rugby fans departed for Paris ahead of Ireland’s opening Six Nations Rugby fixture against France tonight.

Barry Holland of Cork Airport seeing off travel reps Paul Dawson of Dawson Travel, Mary Jones of Lee Travel, and Tomás MacCurtain of Killester Travel.

Given the recent history of the Six Nations, it is a mouth watering way for the championship to commence, with Irish supporters at Cork Airport in a mood of anticipation ahead of departure.

Gertie and Paul Hayes, Courtmacsherry, off to Paris.

The busy schedule of flights from Cork to Paris, with Irish rugby fans aplenty on board, included three taking off in the space of one hour.

They included an Aer Lingus scheduled service to Paris Charles de Gaulle, a charter service to Paris Charles de Gaulle and a charter service to Paris Orly.

Among the passengers travelling this morning were customers from across Cork and Munster, flying with Irish travel agencies, Lee Travel and Dawson Travel, along with sports travel specialists, Killester Travel and Cassidy Travel.

Aoife Sisk surprised her husband with a trip to the rubgy in Paris for his 40th birthday. Pictures: Larry Cummins.

Some Irish rugby fans at Cork Airport this morning were making their way to Paris via connecting flights from London and Edinburgh.

Speaking as fans departed, Barry Holland, communications manager at Cork Airport said it was fantastic to see so many fans flying to Paris today.

“With plenty green hats, scarves and jerseys around the terminal, occasions like this bring great excitement and we’re especially pleased to see our local travel agencies continue the great tradition of arranging charters for many loyal Irish rugby fans.

Toni Kelly with daughters Yvonne Broderick and Jean O'Neill boarding their charter flight.

“Our own airport security team did a tremendous job this morning," he added, "ensuring that all fans cleared security screening in eight minutes or less.”

Adam Nagle and Cliona Fitzpatrick with Karen and Kevin Fitzpatrick, and Rory Fitzpatrick, Glounthaune at Cork Airport.

Paul Dawson, sales manager at Dawson Travel added: "With an almost full flight for our two night trip to Paris for the Six Nations fixture against France, we have a very excited bunch of Irish fans travelling out of Cork Airport.

Rugby fans Keith Matthews and James O'Neill of UL Bohs, and Liam Woulfe of Young Munster waiting their flight from Cork to Paris for the international clash with France. Picture: Larry Cummins.

“We expect a very touch encounter with France, but our fans will be there in the thousands, to cheer on our men in green. What an exciting fixture to kick off the 2026 Six Nations.”