Coleraine
The Showgrounds

A more centrally located town centre ground would be harder to find, the Showgrounds sits next to the Coleraine's  Railway and Bus Interchange. The tall grey brick and blue cladded main stand runs alongside Ballycastle Road and dominates the ground. Inside the ground, the Main Stand is positioned slightly oddly, towards the away supporters end. The stand has a high cantilever roof with exposed steelwork above a shallow concrete seating deck with 1,400 dark blue plastic seats, and a row of executive boxes at the rear. The lowest few rows of seats in the main stand have the disadvantage of being exposed to the elements and, since the touchline is positioned a couple of metres away, the playing action is more distant than most other grounds. Looking to the right from the stadium control box the social club building with its second floor viewing lounge fills in the remaining space to the corner flag. Behind the goal at both ends is a 'U' shaped terrace with a covered central section along the length of the penalty area. However one of these ends, the South Terrace is now closed to spectators,

The Coleriane/railway end is allocated for home supporters where as the Ballycastle Road end is allocated for visitors. Both terrace covers have columns and fencing which may impede your view. Looking directly across the pitch from the main stand there is a deep pitch length terrace, which originally had a roof. Since the terrace steps are much deeper than those behind the goals the  view offered from the rear steps allows the spectator to see the whole ground from over the top of the fencing. The stadium has a set of four tall floodlights that were installed in 2009.

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Main Entrance To Club Offices & Social Club

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The Showgrounds

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There is a Social Club at the ground itself. Otherwise there are a number of pubs in the town centre, which is just two minutes walk from the Showgrounds. 

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From Ballymena, Antrim & Belfast:

Take the A26 into New Bridge Road, at the A29 Ring Road Junction  turn right, towards Portrush, then
at the B57 Junction turn left into Ballycastle Road and follow the road towards Coleraine town centre.
The ground will appear to the left hand side just before the railway station level crossing.  
 
From Londonderry:

Take the A2 into Castlerock Road, cross over the Bann Bridge and turn right into the A26 Circular  Road. At the next junction turn right into Union Street. This will lead you out into directly in front of the railway and bus station. Turn left, go over the level crossing and take the first turn right into Ballycastle Road. The ground is on the right hand side.  
 
From Limavady/Maghera:

Take the A29 into Dunhill Road,at the A29 roundabout turn left into Strand Road. Take a right turn and
 cross over the Bann Bridge and turn right into the A26 Circular Road. At the next junction turn right into Union Street. This will lead you out into directly in front of the railway and bus station. Turn left, go over the level crossing and take the first turn right into Ballycastle Road. The ground is on the right hand side.  

Car Parking

There are a number of car parking spaces directly in front of the main stand, and at the side of the training pitch behind the away end. Otherwise there are a number car parks located in the town centre car parks.

For a map showing the location of the ground see the Google map below, at the bottom of this page.

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Away Terrace At Training Pitch End

Arriving in Coleraine by Bus or Train
Coleraine Railway Station has a regular service on the Belfast to Londonderry line. The adjacent Bus Station also has a regular service by Goldline bus 218 from Belfast Europa Bus Station to Portrush.
 
Directions to the Showgrounds from the Bus & Railway Stations

The Railway and Bus Stations are both central to the Showgrounds and Coleraine town centre. For the town centre exit the railway station on the ticket office platform. The bus station concourse is also linked to this platform. Walk along Railway Road in the opposite direction of the level crossing,  past the tourist information centre. The pedestrianised town centre begins on the right hand side as this road turns sharpely to the left. For the Showgrounds cross over the level crossing and take the first right turn into Ballycastle Road. The ground is on the right hand side.

Visitors with time on their hands will no doubt be interested to know there are regular services from the bus station to the Giants Causeway and the Carrick rope bridge via Service 172 to Ballycastle.

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 South Terrace

This terrace is now closed on matchdays as it doesn't comply with current health & safety regulations.

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Ground Map

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Northern Ireland Premier league fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).

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Bertie Peacock Statue

In Coleraine town centre there is a statue of footballer Bertie Peacock. A local Coleraine man, Bertie played for his local side before moving to Glentoran and then Glasgow Celtic in 1949. He went on to make over 300 appearances for the Hoops and winning 32 caps for Northern Ireland. He passed away in 2004. He returned to to Northern Ireland first managing the national team and then becoming manager of Coleraine, leading the club to their only ever Irish league title in 1974.

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Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad.

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The Ulster Groundhopper provides us with this excellent video about the Showgrounds on YouTube, which also includes some history and background about the area.

Return To The Northern Ireland Premier Guide

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