20,000 Notre Dame fans set for Dublin in September 2012 ---Incredible reaction from Fighting Irish fans to Navy game in Ireland
By: Niall O'Dowd | Published Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 7:14 PM | Updated Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 7:14 PM
South Bend: Notre Dame are expecting an incredible 20,000 Fighting Irish fans to come to Dublin in September next year Notre Dame officials say.
It will be the largest ever 'invasion' by US sports fans of Ireland.
The last time Notre Dame played in Ireland in 1995 only 4,000 or so fans traveled.
The Fighting Irish will play Navy on September 1st at the Aviva stadium in Dublin, in their first game of the 2012 season.
It is billed as the "Emerald Isle Classic."
The buzz around South Bend about the game has already begun.
Dolly Duffy, Executive Director of the Notre Dame alumni confirmed to me that the numbers are expected to break all expectations.
"There has been an incredible reaction to the Dublin game," she told me."We have been overwhelmed by the interest in traveling to Ireland."
Micheal Seamon, Associate Vice President also confirmed the number and stated that the weekend in Dublin is shaping up to be a spectacular occasion.
Some Notre Dame officials believe the final total could be 25,000, an amazing number.
On Saturday $400,000 was pledged from Irish supporters to bring the Fighting Irish marching band to Dublin as part of the celebration.
A massive concert and pep rally will take place at the O2 arena in the Dublin docklands the night before the game.
Top Irish acts have already been signed up.
There will also be a special Notre Dame mass which is expected to pack Dublin's main cathedral to the rafters
The day of the game will be spectacular with the trendy Temple bar area turned into a massive Notre Dame tailgate party.
The marching band will march through Dublin's Grafton Street, the main shopping thoroughfare, and will surely be a sight to behold.
The game is being played the same weekend as the All Ireland hurling final, Ireland's second biggest sporting weekend meaning that Dublin will be chock a block with both Irish and hurling fans.
Notre Dame's Irish campus at O'Connell House in Merrion Square will also feature prominently with a major conference on America and the 1916 Rising set for the week of the game.
All in all it is easy to get excited by the game which Notre Dame is billing as 'The Fighting Irish are coming home."
It will be an incredible bonanza for Ireland in terms of tourism in particular.
I predict there will not be a hotel room to be had from Cork to Dublin.
Roll on September 2012!
34 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.jackinny | Nov 02, 2011, 11:44 AM EDT
@NiallO'Dowd-you have always used your bully pulpit to rattle ivory towers & champion important causes. Anyone remember the peace process,civil rights for ILGO among many others? I've always hoped someone would go after ND for that mascot as native americans did with St Johns with & their insulting mascot.I know this kind of money will be great for Dublin. But be careful,I was at the Emerald Isle in '91 when Fordham played.If the american chancer who ran that is still involved you can expect overhype about turnout that never appears.I recall Brian Rohan covered the Fordham game for the IV,I'm not sure if he wrote about the poor turnout but I know I talked to him about it.In closing Niall please go back to fighting the good fight you're pretty damn good at it!
Siobhan39 | Oct 31, 2011, 11:01 AM EDT
There will be other football (USA style) games played in Ireland that same weekend. St. Norbert College, DePere, WI (five miles from where I live) will be playing John Carroll University on August 31 in Dublin.
citizen69 | Oct 26, 2011, 01:29 PM EDT
The tourism should help boost the economy a little. I usually find hotel rates in Dublin pretty reasonable these days, though i'm rarely in town for a big event.
billie061 | Oct 24, 2011, 01:13 PM EDT
I work in tourisim here, and believe me when anything major pops up the room rates rise, as does everything else, I have had it out with some of the major hotel chains here, even sept 11 was cause for ripping off people. I hate this biz at times, I love my country, and want to show it at its best but not to the cost of the tourist, I want to bring them where it costs fZZZZ all and show them the real Ireland.
antoman | Oct 24, 2011, 11:28 AM EDT
@gobshitepaddy- Style can't be changed. The question I and others have here is why don't you use your georgedillon nic anymore?
gobdawpaddy | Oct 24, 2011, 11:17 AM EDT
Jeez anto, just sharing my observations about my experiences in Ireland. Your own Eddie Hobbs christened the country 'rip off Ireland', not me. Your new government in a sensible move reduced VAT on transactions involving the hospitality sector but ev en theyrealize that this has not been passed on by many businesses. Every year I read stories of outrageous hotel/guesthouse rates being charged at Galway races, the Rose of Tralee, Cork Jazz Festival etc. Of course the price of alcohol goes up for those events also. Three (Danish I believe) students visiting Dublin stayed at a hostel and ended up being stuck there for 3 additional nights due to the ash cloud only to be told that the nightly rate was now 3 times what it was for their original nights stay. I could provide more examples but you obviously take issue with my pointing out how greedy many Irish people in the hospitality sector are. As for D4 seeing me coming, it was the advertised rate on their website. Ended up staying at The Shelbourne which didn't cost me a cent because I used Marriott Reward points.
antoman | Oct 24, 2011, 08:07 AM EDT
@gobshitepaddy- 200 euro's, LOL! They saw you coming. Posters like you who project inner angst and have issues in general with Irish, Americans, Argentinians or mental health issues. Should consider not posting on forums where your words can be interpreted and your character weighed up by intelligent posters.
gobdawpaddy | Oct 24, 2011, 07:55 AM EDT
I do a lot of business in Ireland and was in Dublin at the end of the queen's visit. I believe it was a wednesday night and there was a big soccer game on in the Aviva and a concert in the Point the following evening. Usually when I am in the Ballsbridge area I stay at one of the D4 hotels which are usually reasonably priced. This particular day I checked and if I recall correctly, they were looking for over EUR 200 each night.
TiocfaidhArmani | Oct 24, 2011, 06:50 AM EDT
I'd be happy to help with any advise any visitors may have and know some hotels that charge the same prices every night and every day of the year regardless. Just stay out of Temple Bar and you'll be fine. Retaurants etc won't just jump up their prices for one day because there's a game with 50,000 people at it. We have these big events with a lot of people from outside Dublin coming in but it would be good if this site could set up a section for people to advise incomers on where best to stay and eat out etc. My email is padraigdonohoe@hotmail.com I'd be happy to advise people. One tip is try the Clarion in Clondalkin, there's an airport bus that goes right to it, it's four star with a free leisure centre and is a set price of 59 euro for the room.
esatdigiwank | Oct 24, 2011, 04:20 AM EDT
Fightin' Irish huh? We're better at drinking nowadays..
seagreen | Oct 24, 2011, 12:33 AM EDT
I'm a bit tongue in cheek about this event ! I think the actual football game will be the least interesting aspect of the entire deal....
antoman | Oct 23, 2011, 06:13 PM EDT
Tippboy- I've been on my knees like many since the economy tanked. I'll get to my feet when the Yanks arrive.
Mairin67 | Oct 23, 2011, 06:06 PM EDT
I could'nt agree with you more, Tippboy.....there are huge profits to be made here. I think you missed my point entirely....which is the absurd connection between a university and Irish culture that is based on nothing more than the name of a football team and their fighting leprechaun mascot. Of course this is all about advertising...didn't the Bears just beat the Bucs in London today? Go Bears!
tippboy | Oct 23, 2011, 05:30 PM EDT
Antoman, look in the mirror before you talk about greed! It wasn't a Yank who coined the phrase "rip-off republic", that would be well known Cork economist, Eddie Hobbs, I believe. The country is n desperate straits, you should be down on your knees to every Yank who chooses to visit and spend his hard earned dollars, putting money into the pockets of your fellow citizens.
tippboy | Oct 23, 2011, 05:18 PM EDT
Hey Mairin, enough with the xenophobic nonsense, especially when you realize that Irish soccer fans are famous for singing their rebel songs on the streets of every capital in Europe. Believe me when I tell you that publicans, restauranteurs and hoteliers in Dublin couldn't be happier at the prospect of 20,000 ND fans in Dublin. Also, you should know that ND alumni have a huge presence in Wall St and in the higher echelons of business in the NoertthEast and Chicago areas. These are the kind of visitors we need - welcome all ND fans!!,
antoman | Oct 23, 2011, 04:10 PM EDT
The Yanks are coming en masse. We'll have to lock up our mothers lads. :)
Mairin67 | Oct 23, 2011, 03:46 PM EDT
Oh dear, what a nightmare. "The Fighting Irish are coming home".....how embarrassing. I'm sure the Irish (meaning the real people that live there - remember them?) could care less especially if the all Ireland Hurling will be on that weekend. I agree, it's about the $$. I just hope the American Notre Dame fans don't act the ugly while there and keep the touting of "we're the Irish" at a minimum.....cuz you're not!
RedBranch | Oct 23, 2011, 02:43 PM EDT
Why isn't this match being held in Belfast?
Bailey2000 | Oct 23, 2011, 02:29 PM EDT
This is great news but I think talk of greedy hoteliers etc etc is a little misplaced. There are approximately 19,000 Hotel rooms in Dublin and probably a further 10,000 B&Bs Hostels etc. There will be plenty of competition and at present good hotels in dublin can be as little as €50.00 which I suspect compares well with most similarly sized cities in the US. Ireland badly needs this business and yes I guess our cab drivers aren't any more saintly than those everywhere else in the world but I personally have seen no sign of dishonesty in cabs in Dublin over the past ten years.
Towngate | Oct 23, 2011, 01:37 PM EDT
The Teams are welcome so long as they arrive with their silly shoulder-pads full of dollars and leave with them empty!
Ernesider | Oct 23, 2011, 01:14 PM EDT
Wonderful news. I'll be there supporting the United States Naval Academy. It has far more Irish connections down through it's history. Sadly most of the businesses do operate in a predatory manner but please shout stop. Negotiate before meals, deals etc. And be prepared to walk away. Plan well ahead it can be done. Go Navy!
antoman | Oct 23, 2011, 01:02 PM EDT
Don't blow it with greed he says. Coming from an American you'll excuse me and permit me to guffaw loudly. Done. Good old capitalism and a lecture on its characteristics. Namely greed. From an American. On a Sunday. About 6pm my time. On a wet blustery day. I'm going for a few pints. I'll be back before the cheer leaders get here. Slainte.
gobdawpaddy | Oct 23, 2011, 12:24 PM EDT
Not at all anto, I am in Ireland often enough to witness the rip off culture that permeates the hospitality sector there. Was staying in a hotel in Ireland for 2 weeks recently and socialized in the closest town of Limerick. Myself and a colleague took a cab each evening and another on the return journey. We noticed that when we called a cab no meter was used, but on the return journey from the cab stand in the city, the meter was turned on. During the 2 weeks, for precisely the same journey, at the same times, we were charge a total of 5 different fares varying from EUR 8 to EUR 14. We probably dressed like out of towners and the drivers decided what Irish people do best and 'chance their arm' for an extra few EUR. I read recently a post by an Irish born person on this site who runs a business here in the states. An employee visiting Dublin presented a receipt for a cab ride from a hotel in Dublin city center to the airport for EUR 86. Only for the businesss owner had lived in Ireland, he would never have noticed this 'rip off'. Irish people have to get over their 'cute hoor' culture because visitors do recognize when they are being ripped off and don't return. You need every tourist dollar, or pound, or shekel etc. at the moment. Don't blow it with greed.
antoman | Oct 23, 2011, 11:23 AM EDT
@gobdawpawpaddy- Got ya rattled don't I. That pleases me. Welcome to IRISH central.
Barbaracvm | Oct 23, 2011, 11:19 AM EDT
WHY??? Is the US football team playing in a foreign country?
gobdawpaddy | Oct 23, 2011, 10:53 AM EDT
Acemaker, I have encountered our military quite often as they use Shannon airport and hotels in that area. They seem to be well treated. Witnessed one drunk shouting nonsense in a hotel one evening but I don't think the 6ft 3in marine was intimidated in the slightest.
gobdawpaddy | Oct 23, 2011, 10:47 AM EDT
If you are stuck behind security in Dublin airport waiting for a connection you have little choice where to purchase breakfast. Perhaps the reason people don't dine in 'fancy places' in Ireland is they are in so many cases being ripped off. I was in Dublin last week and had lunch at a nice place (not spectacular), but a side of fries was an additional EUR 5 ($ 6.95), the same for a baked potato and if I remember correctly, a portion of sauted mushrooms. I ordered a pint glass of 7UP EUR 5.50 ($7.65). My colleague requested 2 refills(these aren't complimentary in Ireland) during lunch and nearly collapsed when he realized the total cost for 7UP. I needed a travel size toothpaste which I purchased at a pharmacy for EUR 1.69 ($2.35). I get the same size and brand for 99c in the states. EUR USD closed in NY on friday at 1.39.
acemaker | Oct 23, 2011, 10:25 AM EDT
not one word mentioned about our Midshipmen. Surely the Brigade would be an awesome sight in the parade. But I hear reports our military is not treated well over there.
Yardleypa | Oct 23, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT
I hope they give them value for there money maybe they will come back and make it a yearly event.
antoman | Oct 23, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT
Breakfast (builders) roll is 5 euro's or less.
antoman | Oct 23, 2011, 10:01 AM EDT
Breakfast in Dublin if you eat like the locals is less than 10 euro's. Look for small cafes not fancy places. No one eats in fancy places except the two naive commentators below me. I hope they bring the cheer leaders too.
DrTrelawney | Oct 23, 2011, 09:54 AM EDT
Bord Failte doesn't exist any longer.
gobdawpaddy | Oct 23, 2011, 09:16 AM EDT
Ah Billie, before I ever read your post, precisely the same thoughts came to my mind. The greasy pawed people in the hospitality industry in Ireland are incapable of looking beyond their greedy noses. This could become a regular event if Ireland is seen as value for money. I am sure there are Americans around europe who would also travel. Let's hope those greedy hoteliers, publicans, restaraunt owners, coach companies, cab drivers and the other greasy pawed Irish mutants looking to make a quick buck, don't make a mess of things. Recently had breakfast (bacon, egg, sausage, juice and coffee) before I left LA for Ireland, just over $10. I had a 3 hour wait the following morning in Dublin for a connection to Shannon and indulged in a similar breakfast, the cost converted to $33.
billie061 | Oct 23, 2011, 07:22 AM EDT
Yes and the greedy hoteliers in Ireland must be rubbing their hands together in glee, they will triple room rates, food and drink will also triple, maybe board failte could do something to prevent this (not)