Much of the US has Irish or Scots-Irish ancestry irrespective of the state borders.

Reportedly, there are 35 million Americans with Irish ancestry. According to the ever-comprehensive Wikipedia, we're pretty well spread out.

List of US cities with large Irish-American populations

It's a good play for Irish tourism to market themselves in the US regardless of the schools. Admittedly, some travelers will have an easier time reaching Dublin than some others.

(10-14-2019 01:54 PM)cubucks Wrote:  It's part of a five year series starting with Notre Dame - Navy in 2020.

Stay tuned, your team may be next, lol!

ND/Navy played in Dublin in 2012 and in 1996.

35,000 Americans/fans traveled to Ireland for the 2012 game.


https://www.nd2ireland.com/game/

I've been to Dublin many times and love it there.

It would be a great trip for anyone.

(10-14-2019 07:56 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(10-14-2019 07:43 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(10-14-2019 10:37 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(10-14-2019 10:15 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Nebraska@Illinois was actually a really good atmosphere this year, considering how long Illlinois has been bad.

This isn't quite Northwestern selling an Ohio State home game to Cleveland-bad, but this sucks for Fighting Illini STH'ers.

I could get N.D. doing it, but this has epic fail written all over it. Nothing is quite so Irish as Cornhuskers or the Illini? I don't think there will be great interest from either the people of Ireland or the alumni of the two schools. Now if they link it to a tour of the Guinness brewery then maybe.

(10-14-2019 03:12 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  No one in Ireland is going to care about either of these teams.

WHY???

Because novelty wears off.

The Irish people care next to nothing about American sports, less for college football than pro sports...which itself has almost no interest.

Now, talk about Gaelic football, rugby, hurling, etc.....and you will find a lot of sports passion.

This is an event sponsored by Irish Tourism to get American tourists to use an American college football game as an excuse to book a trip to Ireland.

(10-15-2019 12:03 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(10-14-2019 01:54 PM)cubucks Wrote:  It's part of a five year series starting with Notre Dame - Navy in 2020.

Stay tuned, your team may be next, lol!

ND/Navy played in Dublin in 2012 and in 1996.

35,000 Americans/fans traveled to Ireland for the 2012 game.


https://www.nd2ireland.com/game/

I've been to Dublin many times and love it there.

It would be a great trip for anyone.

It's on my bucket list.

Army and Boston College played games against each other in Dublin in 1988 and 1989.

ND and Navy played in Dublin in 1996, drawing 38,651 fans.

Penn State v. UCF in Dublin drew 53,304 fans in 2014.

Boston College v. Georgia Tech in Dublin drew 40,562 fans in 2016.

As stated above, 35,000 fans made the trip for ND/Navy in 2012.

That game drew 48,820 (sellout) at Aviva Stadium.

ND plays Navy in Dublin in September, 2020 in the first game of the season.

(10-14-2019 07:56 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(10-14-2019 07:43 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(10-14-2019 10:37 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(10-14-2019 10:15 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Nebraska@Illinois was actually a really good atmosphere this year, considering how long Illlinois has been bad.

This isn't quite Northwestern selling an Ohio State home game to Cleveland-bad, but this sucks for Fighting Illini STH'ers.

I could get N.D. doing it, but this has epic fail written all over it. Nothing is quite so Irish as Cornhuskers or the Illini? I don't think there will be great interest from either the people of Ireland or the alumni of the two schools. Now if they link it to a tour of the Guinness brewery then maybe.

(10-14-2019 03:12 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  No one in Ireland is going to care about either of these teams.

WHY???

Because novelty wears off.

Boy, that wasn't clear... I mean why are they playing this game in Ireland?
(my bad)

https://collegefootballireland.com/

I did want to point this out. Gameday will broadcast from Dublin next season for the Notre Dame/Navy game.

https://collegefootballireland.com/espn-...n-ireland/

I certainly agree with the tourism angle from Ireland's perspective, but there's no reason for ESPN to send their premier show overseas unless the braintrust of the game is trying to promote the sport to new audiences.

I'm sure the tourism board will use the Gameday broadcast as one big long commercial for their country, no doubt. There's probably some sort of agreement with ESPN to use the broadcast much like a commercial in exchange for the ad spend they will be putting out. In light of the amount they would likely have to spend in order for ESPN to consider that move worthwhile, they're really starting to eat into their profit margin by paying large amounts for these teams to show up.

Point being, American fans aren't going to decide to drop all that money on a trip to Dublin simply because Gameday will be there. That's not why someone would go to Ireland. Long term, how many more people will take a trip to Ireland because of a bunch of ads and other promotions for a game they may or may not watch?

The tourism board would understand all that. So I think it's more likely that ESPN is interested in creating a more college-like atmosphere at the game for Irish attendees. They may even be simulcasting the show in other Europeans markets although I'm honestly not sure what broadcast agreements they have over there.

I'm just saying...it's a hell of a lot of effort for some extra cash and a vacation to Ireland.

I will add that Aer Lingus seems to be interested in more than sponsorship here.

They want to promote their product in the US and I'm sure they want to become a favorite for trans-Atlantic travel. That's their game so I would conclude Irish tourism is in itself not the only economic interest for the parties over there.

Still, ESPN has no reason to concern themselves with the market share of European airlines in America. They're doing more than just making money off of ads.

(10-14-2019 03:12 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  No one in Ireland is going to care about either of these teams.

Not the point.

NFL goes to London to sell tickets to the locals.
College football goes to Ireland because Ireland sponsors it and wants to sell visits to Ireland.
More akin to the Bahamas Bowl where there is really no effort to sell tickets locally.

(10-14-2019 10:15 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  Nebraska@Illinois was actually a really good atmosphere this year, considering how long Illlinois has been bad.

This isn't quite Northwestern selling an Ohio State home game to Cleveland-bad, but this sucks for Fighting Illini STH'ers.

Playing a league game against Ohio State in Cleveland is almost as bad as Rice selling a SWC home game vs Arkansas to Little Rock back when Little Rock was hosting more Razorback games than Fayetteville did.

(10-16-2019 07:37 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  I did want to point this out. Gameday will broadcast from Dublin next season for the Notre Dame/Navy game.

https://collegefootballireland.com/espn-...n-ireland/

I certainly agree with the tourism angle from Ireland's perspective, but there's no reason for ESPN to send their premier show overseas unless the braintrust of the game is trying to promote the sport to new audiences.

I'm sure the tourism board will use the Gameday broadcast as one big long commercial for their country, no doubt. There's probably some sort of agreement with ESPN to use the broadcast much like a commercial in exchange for the ad spend they will be putting out. In light of the amount they would likely have to spend in order for ESPN to consider that move worthwhile, they're really starting to eat into their profit margin by paying large amounts for these teams to show up.

Point being, American fans aren't going to decide to drop all that money on a trip to Dublin simply because Gameday will be there. That's not why someone would go to Ireland. Long term, how many more people will take a trip to Ireland because of a bunch of ads and other promotions for a game they may or may not watch?

The tourism board would understand all that. So I think it's more likely that ESPN is interested in creating a more college-like atmosphere at the game for Irish attendees. They may even be simulcasting the show in other Europeans markets although I'm honestly not sure what broadcast agreements they have over there.

I'm just saying...it's a hell of a lot of effort for some extra cash and a vacation to Ireland.

Any reason/excuse is a good one to travel to Ireland.

I agree that something bigger has to be in play for ESPN here.

ND was the first on location broadcast for College Gameday in 1993.

It will also be involved in the first overseas broadcast of Gameday.

I am glad that Irish Tourism and Aer Lingus have teamed up with ESPN for these college football games in Ireland.

(10-16-2019 08:13 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(10-16-2019 07:37 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  I did want to point this out. Gameday will broadcast from Dublin next season for the Notre Dame/Navy game.

https://collegefootballireland.com/espn-...n-ireland/

I certainly agree with the tourism angle from Ireland's perspective, but there's no reason for ESPN to send their premier show overseas unless the braintrust of the game is trying to promote the sport to new audiences.

I'm sure the tourism board will use the Gameday broadcast as one big long commercial for their country, no doubt. There's probably some sort of agreement with ESPN to use the broadcast much like a commercial in exchange for the ad spend they will be putting out. In light of the amount they would likely have to spend in order for ESPN to consider that move worthwhile, they're really starting to eat into their profit margin by paying large amounts for these teams to show up.

Point being, American fans aren't going to decide to drop all that money on a trip to Dublin simply because Gameday will be there. That's not why someone would go to Ireland. Long term, how many more people will take a trip to Ireland because of a bunch of ads and other promotions for a game they may or may not watch?

The tourism board would understand all that. So I think it's more likely that ESPN is interested in creating a more college-like atmosphere at the game for Irish attendees. They may even be simulcasting the show in other Europeans markets although I'm honestly not sure what broadcast agreements they have over there.

I'm just saying...it's a hell of a lot of effort for some extra cash and a vacation to Ireland.

Any reason/excuse is a good one to travel to Ireland.

I agree that something bigger has to be in play for ESPN here.

ND was the first on location broadcast for College Gameday in 1993.

It will also be involved in the first overseas broadcast of Gameday.

I am glad that Irish Tourism and Aer Lingus have teamed up with ESPN for these college football games in Ireland.

I can get on board with that. I've started looking into a trip to Ireland just talking about all this.

(10-17-2019 10:50 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(10-16-2019 08:13 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(10-16-2019 07:37 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  I did want to point this out. Gameday will broadcast from Dublin next season for the Notre Dame/Navy game.

https://collegefootballireland.com/espn-...n-ireland/

I certainly agree with the tourism angle from Ireland's perspective, but there's no reason for ESPN to send their premier show overseas unless the braintrust of the game is trying to promote the sport to new audiences.

I'm sure the tourism board will use the Gameday broadcast as one big long commercial for their country, no doubt. There's probably some sort of agreement with ESPN to use the broadcast much like a commercial in exchange for the ad spend they will be putting out. In light of the amount they would likely have to spend in order for ESPN to consider that move worthwhile, they're really starting to eat into their profit margin by paying large amounts for these teams to show up.

Point being, American fans aren't going to decide to drop all that money on a trip to Dublin simply because Gameday will be there. That's not why someone would go to Ireland. Long term, how many more people will take a trip to Ireland because of a bunch of ads and other promotions for a game they may or may not watch?

The tourism board would understand all that. So I think it's more likely that ESPN is interested in creating a more college-like atmosphere at the game for Irish attendees. They may even be simulcasting the show in other Europeans markets although I'm honestly not sure what broadcast agreements they have over there.

I'm just saying...it's a hell of a lot of effort for some extra cash and a vacation to Ireland.

Any reason/excuse is a good one to travel to Ireland.

I agree that something bigger has to be in play for ESPN here.

ND was the first on location broadcast for College Gameday in 1993.

It will also be involved in the first overseas broadcast of Gameday.

I am glad that Irish Tourism and Aer Lingus have teamed up with ESPN for these college football games in Ireland.

I can get on board with that. I've started looking into a trip to Ireland just talking about all this.

I have made four around the island driving trips to Ireland in the last eight years.

After the initial shock of driving on the other side of the road, other side of the car and navigating roundabouts clockwise (and having a car blow up on us once), we have had a blast just renting cars and driving around Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

I am a dual citizen (USA/Ireland), my grandfather was born/raised in County Sligo, Ireland.

It is a great trip and a great country to visit. Great scenery and terrific, friendly people.

(10-17-2019 10:50 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(10-16-2019 08:13 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(10-16-2019 07:37 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  I did want to point this out. Gameday will broadcast from Dublin next season for the Notre Dame/Navy game.

https://collegefootballireland.com/espn-...n-ireland/

I certainly agree with the tourism angle from Ireland's perspective, but there's no reason for ESPN to send their premier show overseas unless the braintrust of the game is trying to promote the sport to new audiences.

I'm sure the tourism board will use the Gameday broadcast as one big long commercial for their country, no doubt. There's probably some sort of agreement with ESPN to use the broadcast much like a commercial in exchange for the ad spend they will be putting out. In light of the amount they would likely have to spend in order for ESPN to consider that move worthwhile, they're really starting to eat into their profit margin by paying large amounts for these teams to show up.

Point being, American fans aren't going to decide to drop all that money on a trip to Dublin simply because Gameday will be there. That's not why someone would go to Ireland. Long term, how many more people will take a trip to Ireland because of a bunch of ads and other promotions for a game they may or may not watch?

The tourism board would understand all that. So I think it's more likely that ESPN is interested in creating a more college-like atmosphere at the game for Irish attendees. They may even be simulcasting the show in other Europeans markets although I'm honestly not sure what broadcast agreements they have over there.

I'm just saying...it's a hell of a lot of effort for some extra cash and a vacation to Ireland.

Any reason/excuse is a good one to travel to Ireland.

I agree that something bigger has to be in play for ESPN here.

ND was the first on location broadcast for College Gameday in 1993.

It will also be involved in the first overseas broadcast of Gameday.

I am glad that Irish Tourism and Aer Lingus have teamed up with ESPN for these college football games in Ireland.

I can get on board with that. I've started looking into a trip to Ireland just talking about all this.

Maybe have an Alabama vs Ole Miss game in Ireland??? I could get behind a Georgia vs Kentucky game in Ireland ?.

(10-20-2019 12:01 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(10-17-2019 10:50 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(10-16-2019 08:13 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(10-16-2019 07:37 AM)AllTideUp Wrote:  I did want to point this out. Gameday will broadcast from Dublin next season for the Notre Dame/Navy game.

https://collegefootballireland.com/espn-...n-ireland/

I certainly agree with the tourism angle from Ireland's perspective, but there's no reason for ESPN to send their premier show overseas unless the braintrust of the game is trying to promote the sport to new audiences.

I'm sure the tourism board will use the Gameday broadcast as one big long commercial for their country, no doubt. There's probably some sort of agreement with ESPN to use the broadcast much like a commercial in exchange for the ad spend they will be putting out. In light of the amount they would likely have to spend in order for ESPN to consider that move worthwhile, they're really starting to eat into their profit margin by paying large amounts for these teams to show up.

Point being, American fans aren't going to decide to drop all that money on a trip to Dublin simply because Gameday will be there. That's not why someone would go to Ireland. Long term, how many more people will take a trip to Ireland because of a bunch of ads and other promotions for a game they may or may not watch?

The tourism board would understand all that. So I think it's more likely that ESPN is interested in creating a more college-like atmosphere at the game for Irish attendees. They may even be simulcasting the show in other Europeans markets although I'm honestly not sure what broadcast agreements they have over there.

I'm just saying...it's a hell of a lot of effort for some extra cash and a vacation to Ireland.

Any reason/excuse is a good one to travel to Ireland.

I agree that something bigger has to be in play for ESPN here.

ND was the first on location broadcast for College Gameday in 1993.

It will also be involved in the first overseas broadcast of Gameday.

I am glad that Irish Tourism and Aer Lingus have teamed up with ESPN for these college football games in Ireland.

I can get on board with that. I've started looking into a trip to Ireland just talking about all this.

Maybe have an Alabama vs Ole Miss game in Ireland??? I could get behind a Georgia vs Kentucky game in Ireland ?.

I wouldn't be opposed to that.

I would suggest a better match-up might be Alabama/Arkansas or Alabama/Missouri or Alabama/Kentucky. At least from Alabama's end...

I say that because in each of those instances, the visiting team would have a long trip anyway. I think it would better to sacrifice a long trip within the conference rather than a shorter trip. That is...if we're going all the way to Dublin anyway then might as well exchange that for a trip that wouldn't be as economical in the first place.

My guess is that an SEC conference game is less likely than a non-con game involving an SEC team.

At least, as long as Aer Lingus is putting up the sponsorship money. Every game they have sponsored has included at least one team that is relatively close to a U.S. airport from which Aer Lingus flies nonstop to Dublin.