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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Ireland has never seen anything like this Notre Dame invasion -- Dublin goes green as Fighting Irish fans feel right at home

Posted on Friday, August 31, 2012 at 06:25 PM

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Preparation of the Notre Dame pep rally in St. Stephen's Green

Live coverage of the game here on IrishCentral

PHOTOS - The Emerald Isle Classic, Notre Dame v Navy game kicks off in Dublin - photo gallery

Dublin: In the 125-year history of the Fighting Irish football team there has never been a weekend like this.

Four thousand miles from South Bend, 35,000 Irish have transplanted themselves in the heart of Dublin and indeed, all over Ireland, charming the locals wherever they go.

Walk along Dublin’s main shopping thoroughfare, Grafton Street, today and it seemed like a green invasion had begun.

In every store Notre Dame supporters and some Navy backers too, were thronging the aisles, looking for Irish bargains.

Outside the street performers were surrounded by Irish followers, and doing a roaring trade.

For many of the women shoppers, hurrying from one high-end store to another, this was their game day.

“I’m surprised I thought things would be cheaper,” Jane Byrne from Minnesota told me

”It’s easily as expensive – but it is far more fun,” she said.

All around her less discriminating fellow shoppers were buying up items like Guinness sweaters and Aran cardigans in all the usual haunts.

“It is busier than St Patrick’s week,” said the shop assistant in one.

It was the same story all over the country as the hordes of invading Americans, 35,000 in total, gave Ireland the kind of end of summer boost they could ever have hoped for.

Paddy Powers bookmakers opposite the Merrion hotel has been getting brisk business but not from the usual clients this week.

Americans are dropping in every few minutes the clerk said betting on their team to win in the Navy v Notre Dame game.

While I was there a Navy couple came in, seeking odds on Navy plus 15 points -- they got even money.
It is not news that bookmakers are winning but the Irish economy is getting a powerful boost too.

Earlier today I attended a reception at the American Ambassador’s residence in the Phoenix Park. Out in his garden Dan Rooney, the former owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, had his own football pitch where on July 4th every year there is a flag football game.

Prime Minister Enda Kenny dropped in to the pep rally at the O2 arena. 10,000 Notre Dame fans had crammed the arena and gave him a massive reception.

He called it the biggest overseas mobilization by any sporting team in American history.

Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrigg mentioned that Notre Dame has sold out every home game since 1964.

Over 300 performers were onstage between Irish and American musicians and band numbers for a finale that will not be forgotten.

A weekend to remember!

Wow!

Live coverage of the game here on IrishCentral

PHOTOS - The Emerald Isle Classic, Notre Dame v Navy game kicks off in Dublin - photo gallery

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IrelandNorth | Sep 03, 2012, 06:59 AM EDT

Question: When does an Ulster/Northern Ireland loyal protestant unionist like bogsidebunny[/watersidehare!] consider himself an "... average Irish person" (sic). Answer: When he masquerades as a member of the island's majority tradition to drive a wedge between Ireland and Irish-America. To paraphrase the great bard - Billy(?) Shakespeare: "Hell hath no fury like a [Lundyderry loyalist] scorned!" I'm reminded of that old bluegrass number: "Come down from the [Appallacian] mountains bogsidebunny. Come down from the mountains Bugsy doo. Come down form the Sperrins bonniebugsy. And drink some good ol' Ulster-Scottie dew!" (Eeee-har!) PS Apologies to the majority of ordinary decent Ulster Folk who aren't incurable hillbillies like fogsidefunny!

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pilib04 | Sep 02, 2012, 02:01 PM EDT

So Bogside, when there is no ND-Navy game who stays at what you refer to "overpriced hotels" and eats the "overpriced meals?" You sound like you are an American. I am well aware that hotels and restaurants and even entertainment is considerably more expensive in Ireland than in the States. I can help you with part of the issue. Service workers get a living wage instead of what they are paid in the states (at or below the very low 5 Euro's an hour minimum wage). Ireland's minimum wage is considerably higher at 7.65 Euros.that is 50% higher.

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pilib04 | Sep 02, 2012, 01:46 PM EDT

bogsidebunny, garillous costumes? Been to a Feis lately? Check out the garillous weaves! Ireland made 100 million off the deal according to An Taoiseach. Plus, Aviva's first sell out crowd since it opened two years ago. Way to go Ireland, Notre Dame and Navy.

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irishcoffeekid | Sep 02, 2012, 01:41 PM EDT

bogsidebunny yer a misery gut! I doubt you can find anything good to say about anything! It was a one sided game but a great game none the less and exciting and fun to see so many americans in Ireland for the event. I was supposed to go home for the game but got called (and selected) for jury duty so gave my tickets to some Navy friends who were going to Ireland hoping to get tickets but had none. They already emailed me saying they were sad NAVY got hammered but they are having the time of their lives, loving Ireland and now see that everything they hear about the IRish being welcoming and friendly is true. Thank god they havent met any misery guts and bemoaners like some on here - I'm delighted their experience is positive and they're living it up!

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johnr | Sep 02, 2012, 01:37 AM EDT

not a very good game to show our irish hosts, but it served its purpose by kicking off the gathering. i'm a huge american football fan, but i have to say pol o l, the irish game, which i've been following since 2003 is really something to watch, its right up there with american football as far as i'm concerned. more of the world should get a chance to see it and hurling for that matter.

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curtisjohnson | Sep 01, 2012, 09:19 PM EDT

"patiented ostentatious displays and garilious costumes as silly and just the usual American pompous show." Nothing could ever compare to the grandiosity of the british terror state on this count.

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EamonnDublin | Sep 01, 2012, 06:39 PM EDT

Fantastic to see all of you guys from the USA in town this past few days! Céad Míle Fáilte!!! To see the joy on your faces all over the city, on TV last night at the wonderful function, and the big happy crowd of supporters at the game today, made me even more proud (if that is possible) to be Irish. Thank you all - and may these few days, and next year's "Gathering 2013", be a kick-start to an escalation of that great connection between our two countries. God Bless America! God Bless Ireland! Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

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joan1954 | Sep 01, 2012, 05:17 PM EDT

BOGSIDEBUNNY, WE Americans take our football seriously and while this is a good game the old Texas Longhorn and Texas A&M rivalry is something to see and experience as well.

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johnshiel | Sep 01, 2012, 01:18 PM EDT

dear bunny, you're usually not such a pain but your post today reminds me of the old woman on the scooter whose last scene in "Waking Ned Devine" brings nothing but pleasure and joyful laughter from viewers...

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cillowen | Sep 01, 2012, 01:13 PM EDT

an opportunity LOST no mention of the NAVY's real founder Commodore John Barry of Wexford. Barry unlike John Paul (Jones after his murdering of someone) was true to America's cause all through while mercenary Paul went off to Russia. Ending in his dying and burial in France. Later dug up and planted in USA by his Masonic good buddies - well met. The power of club members to twist reality for the masses. It seems to work well within Saxon Empire.

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Searlit | Sep 01, 2012, 12:59 PM EDT

It warms my heart to read that the Yanks are helping the Irish economy and having a blast doing it, too!

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POL O L | Sep 01, 2012, 12:37 PM EDT

Great having you guy`s over,The Craic is mighty but that Game ye play,Slow and a little boring.Have a look if you can For tomorrows Dublin V Mayo All Ireland Semi Final.UP THE DUBS!GO IRISH

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Claire2 | Sep 01, 2012, 12:16 PM EDT

bogsidebunny - you are pathetic!! I imagine even if you were in Dublin and experiencing the happy buzz there this weekend, you would still be complaining. Troll!!

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JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 08:27 AM EDT

Go Irish! but ND needs to join a conference and/or arrange an easier schedule... so they can get on track for another National Championship bogsidebunny --- bahhumbug...lighten up lad.... I was in Derry and lived in the North and the people on the whole were lively, fun with some curmudgeons thrown in but those in the bogside were especially fond of Irish Americans and their support.

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manhattan | Sep 01, 2012, 07:33 AM EDT

The Americans are raving about the kindness and hospitality of the Irish. After reading people like bogsbunny and other American haters I was leery of how they would be treated. So thank God bogsbunny and pals are a minority and Dublin you restored my faith in the wonderful people I met when I was there.

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