The Fighting Irish are coming – and they’re set to inject a $30million cash bonanza into the ailing Dublin economy.
Organizers of the Notre Dame-Navy football match at the city’s Aviva Stadium have been staggered by the response to the September clash.
Already every hotel room in the Irish capital is booked out for the game with a guaranteed windfall for the hospitality industry.
Over 40,000 American football fans have already booked their trips to the game, far exceeding expectations.
Estimates now suggest it could be up there with the Ryder Cup and the Special Olympics as major tourist draws.
Accommodation experts are now looking for private short-term apartment rentals to try and satisfy the shortfall – with Americans prepared to pay $500 for their two night stay.
Property sourcing consultant Karen Mulvaney told the Irish Independent that the regular supply of short lets has already run out.
She said, “The hotels have been booked out for a long time and now the short lets are all gone. We’re looking for apartments in south Dublin areas for the most part.”
Notre Dame’s Kate Nolan is also searching for accommodation for fans already booked to travel.
She told the paper, “We knew it would be popular, but we never imagined we’d have so many coming over.
“We were initially worried about finding accommodation for our travellers in Dublin but we are now looking as far away as Athlone to get them housed.”
The famous American college has already sold over 30,000 tickets for the event while Navy fans have snapped up 5,000 tickets with Irish fans filling the remaining seats.
The game is already a sell-out but both sides expect another 5,000 ticketless fans to arrive for the parties and side events.
Ireland’s tourist authority Failte Ireland are also ready to cash in on the huge interest in the college match-up and will launch their ‘The Gathering’ festival on the same weekend.
A Failte Ireland spokesman said, “We couldn’t miss out on this opportunity given that this event will be watched by tens of millions of Americans on live television and by many more around the world.
“They’ll also be showing clips of the city. It’s a great chance to sell Dublin and Ireland.”
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Dublin Rebels | Aug 23, 2012, 06:56 AM EDT
Hey Folks, If you don't get tickets or even if you do you're all welcome to join us for Official Dublin Rebels Tailgate Party for Notre Dame Vs Navy (see https://www.facebook.com/events/342992145788026/) for more details. Its 400 yards from the Stadium so the atmosphere will be electric. We will be showing the game live on all our big screens with BBQ and entertainment all day. The Dublin Rebels Cheerleaders will be joining us for a little light entertainment ;-) Hope to see you all there Dublin Rebels www.dublinrebels.com
IrishJets47 | Jul 14, 2012, 04:40 PM EDT
GO IRISH Wish I can be at this game.
ciaradexy | Jul 09, 2012, 12:47 PM EDT
Ah Turbojet, you might just meet 4.5 Irish people on your trip! Just remember, its your round.
Turbojet | Jul 07, 2012, 10:17 PM EDT
Ciaradexy, please forgive my spelling. And my ramblings.
Turbojet | Jul 07, 2012, 08:27 PM EDT
ciaradexy, Looking forward to visit Ireland again, bothe North and South. Turbojet is my horse's name, Turbojet Jet Stream. Can't wait until I meet the 4.5 Irish and have a beer with them. Other then the game, I was up in Penna and bought a newspaper from Dublin and was dated 1745. I will donate it to Trinty College. The paper needs a new home. Hope to see you "Downtown" Dublin.
ciaradexy | Jul 06, 2012, 11:32 AM EDT
Turbo, Im sure all 4.5 million of us will be just delighted. Your hotel is not in the safest part of the city so be careful.
Turbojet | Jul 05, 2012, 07:10 PM EDT
Ciaradexy, There is a rumor down here in South Texas that the Pittsburgh steelers will be over in Dublin next year for a pre-season game. Right now, just a rumor. Anyway see ya in 6 weeks. Tell everybody I said Hi. I was born and raised in Butler, Pa, just north of Pittsburgh.
Turbojet | Jul 05, 2012, 06:24 PM EDT
Ciaradexy, My mistake, understand about "Downtown", thanks. I visit Ireland about twicw ayear. My pastor is from County Leitrim, he will be visiting Ireland later in Sept. to celebrate his mother's birthday. She will be 101.
ciaradexy | Jul 05, 2012, 11:46 AM EDT
So far its reckoned that 90% 0f the tickets were bought by yanks and the rest went to people from all over the world. This is not something Irish people are interested in. Turbojet, theres no such place as 'Downtown' in Dublin.
flygirlnurse | Jul 04, 2012, 11:55 PM EDT
Bythebay, you sound like a,hateful/resentful person. I wouldn't want to be living in your skin. It must be tough being you. If you ever go to the USA, you will be treated much, much nicer than I am sure you treat the "yanks". You should be thankful for all the money the Yanks will be bringing in you maudlin Irish. Go Navy and go Notre Dame!
Murph46 | Jul 04, 2012, 10:46 PM EDT
Byethebay previously said their was NO INTEREST in American football in Ireland-wrong again dufus!
chicksooze | Jul 04, 2012, 12:18 PM EDT
bythebay, wrong as usual, you little instigator. I personally know about 15 people from Dublin that will be attending, and thats just ME. It's a sellout for a reason, TONS of Irish will attend, and it will be successful and YES it will boost the economy which desperately needs it. SO WELCOME TO THE AMERICANS! You'll all have a great time!
Bythebay | Jul 04, 2012, 11:21 AM EDT
Doesn't make any difference to Ireland or the people in Ireland or Dublin. People here don't watch teenagers trying to avoid getting injured. Our matches have far larger attendance and are on an international level. This is only suitable for the maudlin Yanks who know nothing about Ireland and feel more comfortable with their teenagers' games. Pitiable.
brianmack | Jul 03, 2012, 07:14 PM EDT
Great news for Ireland and just goes to show how much the USA and its Irish ancestors mean to EIRE. Also another reason to gloat over any Yank who tries to work an accent.
acemaker | Jul 03, 2012, 06:02 PM EDT
GOOO NAVY
canadianirish | Jul 03, 2012, 05:17 PM EDT
This is wonderful news for the ailing Dublin area economy. Well done Irish diaspora!
Longhorns | Jul 03, 2012, 04:26 PM EDT
And I thought Notre Dame was no longer relevant. So let me get this straight. Notre Dame is a 7 and 8 win team and have been since Holtz yet they still are one of the most popular names in CFB.
Turbojet | Jul 03, 2012, 03:24 PM EDT
BelfastJimmy, please forgive dropping offe first part of your name.
Turbojet | Jul 03, 2012, 03:15 PM EDT
astJimmy, thanks for the info. I come from a mixed marriage, my mother's ancestors are from County Killarney and my father's ancestors are from Country Antrim. I figure that I'm from a mixed marriage. I visit Ireland every year. This year I will be at the TYrinity Capitol Hotel downtown.
irishcoffeekid | Jul 03, 2012, 12:49 PM EDT
I'm bummed about missing the game. I'd bought my tickets on ticketmaster and now wont be able to get home for the game due to work schedules. I'll hope to sell on my tickets and at least not lose money but bummed i wont be there - was so looking forward to it!! Great teams and great venue!!
irishtommy | Jul 03, 2012, 11:45 AM EDT
Not a big US Football fan.....I wouldn't give you two cents (pence) to see this game. Now on the other hand a game of Irish Football against a US team would be interesting.
BelfastJimmy | Jul 03, 2012, 10:55 AM EDT
Turbojet,the oldest pub in Ireland and Dublin is The Brazen Head. If I recall correctly there is a pane of window glass upstairs where a highwayman is reputed to have etched his name using a diamond ring.
Bythebay | Jul 03, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
Typical US egotists. Double that attend Irish matches. Ireland hosts tourists from around the globe. 600,000 were just in Galway at the weekend for the Volvo Ocean Races, one of many hundreds of events in Ireland ongoing.
Turbojet | Jul 03, 2012, 10:36 AM EDT
I know there are about 800 bars in Dublin, what is the name of the oldest pub there?
Turbojet | Jul 03, 2012, 10:31 AM EDT
I bought two tickets 2 years ago. Leaving TX on the 30th of Aug. I'm from the Pittsburgh area and hearing rumors that the Steelers will be playing a game over in Ireland next year.
arutherford | Jul 03, 2012, 09:18 AM EDT
It would have been better journalism to have given the date of the game. The whole world doesn't know it is Sept. 1, and in fact, I had to look it up.