When the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame meet the Midshipmen of Navy on Sept. 1 (Saturday) at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, it will be the latest installment in a long American football tradition for the two institutions.
The visit will also celebrate Notre Dame’s enduring Irish heritage and its modern-day engagement in Ireland, highlighted by an array of events that will bring a taste of the University’s educational, intellectual, faith and cultural mission to its host country, and offer thousands of visiting fans opportunities to learn about, explore and enjoy Ireland.
Scheduled events in Dublin include:
Academic programs:
- “The Future of Energy: Dreams and Responsibilities,” 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Aug. 30 (Thursday), Science Gallery, Trinity College. Energy experts from around the world will discuss the future of energy — clean fossil fuels, next-generation solar applications and other renewable energy solutions. They will cover current systems, promising technologies and the responsibilities that accompany the development of this new knowledge. Free and open to the public. Registration required.
- “1916 Dublin,” 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Aug. 30 (Thursday), Royal Irish Academy. Scholars from Notre Dame and Ireland will discuss the historical, political and social impact of the 1916 Irish rebellion. The Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies will also showcase its forthcoming TV documentary on 1916 at this event. Media wishing to attend should contact Julie Hail Flory at jflory@nd.edu.
- Notre Dame: The Irish Connections, 4-5:30 p.m., Aug. 30 (Thursday), O’Connell House, 58 Merrion Square. The annual Hibernian Lecture, presented by Notre Dame’s Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, will feature Kevin Whelan, director of Notre Dame’s Dublin Centre. It will analyze the long-standing historical connections between Notre Dame and Ireland, and explore the more recent linkages of the “Fighting Irish” with the island. Sold out. Media wishing to attend should contact Julie Hail Flory at jflory@nd.edu.
- “Ireland in Transition: Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities,” 3-4:30 p.m., Aug. 31 (Friday), Examination Hall, Trinity College Dublin. This roundtable discussion will focus on how a rapidly changing Ireland fits into the wider world today and will discuss issues such as culture, the economy, politics, education, the Catholic Church and the European Union. Free and open to the public. Registration required.
Religious events:
- Mass of Thanksgiving, 9 a.m., Sept. 1 (Saturday), Dublin Castle Court Yard, enter through Palace Street Pedestrian Entrance (off Dame Street). Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will preside and preach; concelebrants include Papal Nuncio Charles J. Brown, Class of 1981; Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.; and Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C. This outdoor Mass will be screened on Irish national television. Free and open to the Notre Dame extended family — standing room only.
- Pilgrim’s Mass, 11 a.m., Sept. 2 (Sunday), St. Mary’s Church, Haddington Road. St. Mary’s is one of the most historic churches in Dublin, and a recent restoration has restored it to pristine condition. The Notre Dame Folk Choir will provide the liturgical music for the occasion. Open to the public.
- Notre Dame Family Pilgrimage, 7 a.m.-midnight, Sept. 3 (Monday). A free pilgrimage to the West of Ireland to climb the spectacular Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick. After climbing Croagh Patrick, the pilgrimage continues by bus to the birthplace of Rev. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., the “Rosary Priest,” in Attymass, County Mayo. An alternate route will include a stop at the Shrine at Knock. Registration required.
Tours:
- Tours of O’Connell House, times vary, Aug. 29-31, 58 Merrion Square. Daily tours will be offered of historic O’Connell House on Merrion Square, home of the Keough-Naughton Notre Dame Dublin Centre. Free and open to the public. Registration required through oconnellhouse@nd.edu.
- VIP tours of the Irish Parliament, times vary, Aug. 29-31, Leinster House. Twice daily, free and open to the public.
General events:
- Tennis match, 2 p.m., Aug. 31 (Friday), Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club. Notre Dame men vs. Ireland Davis Cup team. Tickets are $15 for general admission.
- Notre Dame: A Welcome Home, 6-10 p.m., Aug. 31 (Friday), O2 Arena. This top-class show merges the best of the American and the Irish traditions. The O2 Arena will rock with this exciting event showcasing the Band of the Fighting Irish, Notre Dame Folk Choir and cheerleaders — and the very best of Irish music, song, dance and literature. The event will be screened live on Irish national television. Sold out. Media wishing to attend to cover the event should contact Julie Hail Flory at jflory@nd.edu.
- Notre Dame Temple Bar Tailgate, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sept. 1 (Saturday), Temple Bar district. There will be music, special performances, street performers, food and a unique chance to sample Irish culture. Open to the public.
- Parade, 11 a.m., Sept. 1 (Saturday), from Temple Bar to the Central Bank Plaza (between Dame Street and Temple Bar Street) — Featuring the Band of the Fighting Irish. Open to the public. Dublin Bus will provide free public bus transfers to Aviva Stadium from Temple Bar.
A complete listing of events and registration options is available online at http://gameday.nd.edu.
The Notre Dame-Navy football game kicks off at 2 p.m. in Dublin (9 a.m. EDT). CBS Sports will telecast the game live in the United States, and ESPN America will broadcast the game in 63 other countries around the world.