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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Coming home with Notre Dame to Dublin; a trip of a lifetime -- A trip to remember as Ireland opens its heart to the 'Fighting Irish'

Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 08:09 AM

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A group of fans of the University of Notre Dame American football team in
Galway's Eyre Square on Tuesday.Photograph credit: Joe O'Shaughnessy

Dublin: It is hard to miss that there is a Notre Dame/Navy football game going on here in Dublin.

There was not an empty seat on the Aer Lingus 109 from New York to Dublin last night as we joined the 35,000 mostly Irish fans who have flown from America in an unprecedented pilgrimage.

If you saw more green and “Go Irish” t-shirts per square foot than you’d see on St. Patrick’s Day, then you knew you were on the plane to the game.

You could hardly have missed it either as the Aer Lingus employees at the airport were decked out in Notre Dame caps in a nice touch.

Not that Navy was utterly outmatched. When the pilot announced as we closed in on Dublin that a Navy battleship was steaming into Dublin port right underneath us, the cheers for “Go Navy” were loud and raucous.

At the airport itself, Uncle Sam on stilts, perfectly kitted out in his red white and blue was there to greet the tired but eager fans as they poured off the plane.

A host of photographers and TV cameras closed in on the Irish Americans as they left the terminal. This game is big news here in Ireland and a massive boost worth an estimated $100 million to the ailing economy.

A large Notre Dame display in the main arrival hall at the airport added that extra touch to the festivities. This game has been organized expertly down to the last green balloon knot.

I had shared the flight with a couple from upstate New York who compared their trip to Ireland with the Hajj to see Mecca.

Lifelong Notre Dame fans, Bob and Ruth Murphy were living the dream as the plane decelerated and the Irish coastline came into view.

Neither had been to the Emerald Isle before but had been there often in their dreams. A sunny day sweeping away the wet weather that has plagued Ireland this summer awaited them.

“Perfect,” said Bob as he gazed out the window, as his wife slept. “A dream come true.”

The pilot announced that we were coming in over Mayo where Bob’s ancestral people come from so he felt right at home

At the Merrion Hotel, staff marveled at the enthusiasm and child-like happy faces they were seeing these last few days.

Notre Dame fans were in their second home and all of Dublin knew it.

The game has taken over the city and tickets on the black market are changing hands for $2,000.

The locals have embraced it. I had four messages from friends here asking about tickets.

It will be a wonderful occasion, like no other I have seen as the Fighting Irish take the field on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium a mile or so from here.

We can hardly wait.

Read more: For all the up-to-date news on the Notre Dame/ Navy Emerald Isle Classic click here

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Mairin67 | Sep 01, 2012, 04:31 PM EDT

Great for Ireland and all the $ they will make this weekend. But, please,please, tell me why we keep referring to these "Irish" who are coming "home"? I am an American and cannot for the life of me figure out the Notre Dame Irish connection. I understand that when Americans don Notre dame shirts,hats or anything with a shamrock in general, believe themselves to be Irish...but I ask you...what does a university with a French name have to do with Ireland? Ok, they're football team is called the fighting Irish and their mascot a fighting leprechaun (which I find a bit insulting)..but beyind that, what is the connection? The Irish dont'; care about American football...btw..who won the all Ireland Hurling match? If anything, it is a greast boost to Irish tourism I just wish they would tone down the whole "we're Irish and we're coming home" thing....cuz, you're not...you are American college football fans.

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IrelandNorth | Aug 31, 2012, 06:09 AM EDT

Good to see the star spangled banner in the auld sod. Great thing is, whether Notra Dame/Old Navy/Green Knights or otherwise - the Yanks will win. Just like Ulster/Northern Ireland vs Leinster/eastern Ireland in intra-provincial rugby - was impossible for Irish to loose. NB Murph46! For the Irish leg of your journey! At least 6 trains daily from Belfast Central to Dublin Connolly - via Lisburn (Co Antrim) - Lurgan (Co Armagh) - Portadown and Newry (Co Down) (all Ulster/Northern Ireland) - Duldalk and Drogheda (Co Louth) - (no stops in Co Meath) (all Leinster/eastern Irleand). Journey time approx 2 hrs 15 mins. LUAS tram (every 7 mins peak) from Dublin Connolly/Busáras to Dublin Heuston via Busáras - Abbey St - Jervis - Four Courts - Smithfield - Museum (approx 15 mins). At least 8 trains daily from Dublin Heuston to Galway/Westport via Tullamore (or Clara?), Co Offally - via Hazelhatch (Co Dublin) - Celbridge - Newbridge - Kildare town - Monasterevin - Portarlington - (all Co Kildare, Leinster/eastern Ireland). (Approx journey time 1 hr 10 mins. (Adequate bilingual notifications on board!) If you've got a spare morning or afternoon in Dublin, check out Collins Barracks Museum close to Heuston Station for Irish military history "Soldiers & Chiefs" Exhibition. (Free-of-charge!) NB All art galleries/museums in 26 counties closed Mondays to compensate staff for weekend openings!) Béidh túras an mhaith agát!/May you have a pleasant journey!

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branagh | Aug 31, 2012, 03:01 AM EDT

Navy people are complaining of Immigration crap Dublin. Twitter is alive with complaints of disgusting quality of service on AerLingus - you were probably first class. AerLingus has gone down the tube now for more than a decade - at one time,you felt it was a priveledge to travel with them. No more. If you meet Minister Varadkar you might mention this stuff to him.

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seagreen | Aug 30, 2012, 11:25 PM EDT

Nicely writtenn article. Also nice of the pilot , who is a very aware person to acknowledge all of the goings on. I will not be a cynic today, instead I wish Notre Dame and Navy all the best, and that Ireland will benefit financially and socially from the game. I am particularly impressed that he Notre Dame fans were cheering for the navy

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TheNDleprechaun | Aug 30, 2012, 10:49 PM EDT

GO IRISH!

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KevinKehoe | Aug 30, 2012, 07:10 PM EDT

Nicely written, and Cead Mile Failte to all of you arriving from the USA AND abroad, enjoy the game and have a wonderful time, looks like you are bringing the good weather with you to.

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JBRAFTREE | Aug 30, 2012, 06:16 PM EDT

Don't who should, the 'old Marine' wants Navy, but I'vd attended a few ND games, (a good friend is a 'Double Domer)

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Nicopernicus | Aug 30, 2012, 05:20 PM EDT

GO NAVY.

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JBRAFTREE | Aug 30, 2012, 05:08 PM EDT

Have fun Murph!!

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Mousemess | Aug 30, 2012, 12:24 PM EDT

Murphy = O' Murchu Dubln = Baile Atha Cliath or Bla Cliath Ireland = Eire

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Murph46 | Aug 30, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT

Have a great time in the old sod Murphy's from one who is coming over in 8 days!

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Siobhan39 | Aug 30, 2012, 10:58 AM EDT

The St. Norbert Green Knights from DePere, WI, are also playing in Dublin this weekend. Maybe some of the fans you mentioned on the planes heading to Ireland are Green Knight fans. GO GREEN KNIGHTS.

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Siobhan39 | Aug 30, 2012, 10:56 AM EDT

Notre Dame/Navy is not the only game featuring a team from the Usa

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Searlit | Aug 30, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT

Niall that's a beautiful article you've written. I especially liked the story about the Murphys, "as the plane decelerated and the Irish coastline came into view" brought tears to my eyes.

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acemaker | Aug 30, 2012, 10:34 AM EDT

GO NAVY!!!

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