FYI: Here are 18 things you (probably) didn't know about Cardiff ahead of this weekend's game

Our short guide may come in handy for those willing to make the trip across the water this weekend.

PLANNING ON TRAVELLING to Wales this weekend for Ireland’s opening Six Nations match?

Fancy doing more than reverting to the Irish stereotype and boozing relentlessly?

If so, the following facts and videos may help to familiarise yourself with the beautiful and illustrious city that is Cardiff:

How do you say ‘two pints please’ in Welsh? Not that you’ll need to know any Welsh in truth, but greeting barmen with the words “dau beint os gwelwch yn dda” may at least earn you some brownie points. Check out the video below for more info on the matter.

According to Cardiffmatchday.co.uk, there are approximately 28 pubs in the vicinity of the Millennium Stadium, so you shouldn’t be short of options. If you’re a student, BlackWeir is apparently the place to go. If you start feeling yourself getting homesick, then Dempsey’s Irish Bar is just a few minutes away from the stadium. Finally, for the real hardcore lovers of rugby, Flyhalf & Firkin is the ideal venue.
Obviously, there are several intriguing non-sports-related activities to engage in in Cardiff. For a bit of culture, you can visit the National Museum & Gallery in Cathays Park. If you’re a shopaholic, then Capital Shopping Centre on Queen Street is essentially the Welsh equivalent of Dundrum Town Centre. Or if you want to get a sense of the history of the city, Cardiff Castle on Castle Street is well worth a visit.

(A general view of Spillers Records in Cardiff – Anthony Devlin/PA Archive/Press Association Images)

Spillers, officially the world’s oldest record store, opened in Cardiff in 1894.
Despite Cardiff being the largest city in Wales, it’s only the tenth largest city in the UK (by geographical size). Incidentally, the other nine are London, Leeds/Bradford, Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.
The city has a proud musical tradition. Several musicians either hail from there or have links with it – including Charlotte Church, Shirley Bassey, Iwan Rheon, The Oppressed, Kids In Glass Houses, Los Campesinos, The Hot Puppies, The School, We’re No Heroes, Pagan Wanderer Lu, Budgie, Shakin’ Stevens, The Automatic, Manic Street Preachers, Lostprophets, Super Furry Animals (see below), Catatonia and Bullet for My Valentine.

YouTube credit: Maelorn

For those anxious about its level of attractiveness, rest assured that it’s a critically acclaimed place to visit. It was even ranked sixth in the world in National Geographic’s alternative tourist destinations in 2011.
In terms of sporting tradition, it’s second to none. It was awarded with the European City of Sport in 2009, after hosting several major sporting events, and The Millennium Stadium hosted 11 football matches during the 2012 Olympics. It will also be the European Capital of Sport in 2014.
The Romans settled in the city in 55AD and built a military fort there. They eventually left, for reasons explained in the video below.

YouTube credit: EbenInWales

Cardiff only became a city in 1905 and didn’t become Wales’ capital until 1955. Machynlleth, a small market town, was regarded as the ancient capital of Wales before then.
The world’s first-ever £1million cheque was signed in Cardiff.
In 1801, its population was 1,870, compared with 324,800 inhabitants today.
Its most famous author is probably Roald Dahl, who was born in Llandaff – a district in the north of Cardiff – in 1916. And without him, we’d never have witnessed the delights of The Witches (see below) among other movies.

YouTube credit: billywool

The first rugby international at the Cardiff Arms Park, featuring Ireland and Wales, was played in 1884.
It’s one of the UK’s flattest cities and has more green space per person than any other core city in the UK.
Wales, like Ireland, haven’t exactly mastered their language, with only 21% of the population speaking native Welsh.
If you’re willing to venture outside of Cardiff after the match, you could visit the town with the longest name in the world – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch.
The Millennium Stadium, among its many impressive spectacles, boasts the largest retractable roof in the world of any sporting arena.

P.S. Some Welsh rugby fans are a tad insane:

YouTube credit: whatyousayiam