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Countries, Ireland, Sport

Vive La Republique of Cork

10th August 202310th August 2023 funtime65

Attention mes amis while we witness the brave men (and women) of Munster cheer and exclaim vive la Republique of Cork.

All ahead of the Rugby World Cup, the starting gun for which has been shot with the Summer Series games across Europe.

Ireland, as the world’s No.1 side, are among the favourites with hosts France.

And proud Corkonians that they are they believe their province Munster are the true custodians of Irish rugby.

Built largely on a famous Munster victory over the world’s most successful country, New Zealand in 1978.

The 15-0 triumph over Graeme Mourie’s All Blacks.

Green machine: Ireland v Scotland at the Aviva

The first by an Irish side and a touch point for a future rugby hero Ronan O’Gara.

O’Gara, whose drop goal kick in Cardiff won Ireland their first Grand Slam in 61 years in 2009, is better placed than most.

To promote further links between Cork and World Cup hosts France.

With O’Gara, a perfect No.10 by any gauge, having gone on to forge a stellar coaching career in France.

And masterminding the development of one Jonny Sexton there.

Way to Ro

House of O’Gara: Ronan and friends at Charles Fort in Kinsale. PIc: John Allan

It makes sense then that Tourism Ireland approached Ronan, manager of La Rochelle, to front a new campaign to promote Cork in France this autumn.

With the campaign going live next month to coincide with the Rugby World Cup.

The campaign will include a new video featuring O’Gara.

Visiting various locations in Kinsale and Cork city that ‘fill his heart with Ireland’.

As well as showcasing some of the many great things to see and do on a holiday in Kinsale and Cork.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage French holidaymakers to fly or sail direct to Cork during the off-season months.

It will run on Tourism Ireland’s social channels in France from early September.

A word from the sponsors

Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Southern Europe, said: ‘We are delighted to partner with Ronan O’Gara for our upcoming campaign in France.

‘It’s a great opportunity to capitalise on the excitement in the run-up to, and during, the Rugby World Cup.

‘Our aim is to highlight the many great experiences and attractions in Cork city and county.

‘As well as the ease of access from France to Cork and the warm welcome that awaits our French visitors.’

Amis across the water

Of course, the French are no strangers to Cork and Munster, and happily helped out the Irish in their fight for freedom over the centuries.

Although any accords will naturally be put to one side should they meet in the World Cup.

Filming for the campaign took place at various locations, including Charles Fort and The Bulman in Kinsale.

As well as in Cork city at The English Market where the Queen mingled among the stallholders.

The Farmgate Café, Crawford Art Gallery, Patrick Street and Market Lane are also featured on the movie.

While the crew also captured footage of musicians from the Cork Jazz Festival and of an oyster experience in Goldie.

And all that jazz: The Cork Jazz Festival

Now the Corkonians, as well as being famous for their rugby acumen, are also known for their singy-songy voices.

And addressing all men as ‘Boy’, pronounced ‘Bahai’.

And while it can’t be absolutely verified if you do want to go truly native and talk like a Corkonian.

Then you’ll want to get dangled by your feet upside down to kiss the Blarney Stone too.

While you’ll never go wrong by greeting a Corkonian with Viva La Republique of Cork.

Countries, Ireland, Music

Nothing compares to Bray

8th August 20238th August 2023 funtime65

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam Sinéad in your final resting place in Co. Wicklow… in her case nothing compares to Bray.

The Irish, and the world, say their final farewells to the pop powerhouse today in the seaside resort south of Dublin.

It is a town Sinéad O’Connor and our family had in common and one she shared with mine and yours.

Because first and foremost Sinéad was a mother and would welcome all the young people of Bray.

And neighbouring towns such as our old stomping ground over the Bray Head, Greystones, to her home.

And in the case of my own daughter it would be a full wrap-around cuddle.

Sinéad’s people

Sinéad loved the people of Bray where she lived for 15 years and they loved her back.

And despite her fame she got to live her life as any singer in a smalltown in Ireland would, celebrated for herself but never smothered.

It is poignant then that Sinéad’s final procession starts at the Harbour Bar, one of Bray’s great institutions.

With its warren of rooms, recreated Irish cottage living room among them with artefacts and curious cats.

Sinead will then head along the seafront, a lyrical backdrop for someone so ethereal.

Bray Seafront retains its olde resort feel with its shingle beach, promenade, amusement arcades and authentic bars and restaurants.

A modern addition to the charms which bring Dublin day trippers south SEA LIFE Bray Aquarium will occupy even the most active kiddies.

Head up to the fields

For the more active then continue your walk upwards and over Bray Head.

Stare downwards and you’ll see Bray and its front and your back and the Irish sea and its bird life all around.

While on occasion you might even see a lonely goat above you so yodelaye to your heart content.

The Southern Cross is the peak of your walk with its crucifix which reminds you of ancient Ireland’s connections with the land.

Mother Earth is there too in all its glory with Bray commemorating Sinead with lettering marked into the land.

A train runs through a tunnel built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel carrying passengers to the DART’s terminus.

Stones of destiny

Take a 45-minute trip from Dublin’s Tara Street station, near O’Connell Street.

And bookend your day trip with a Guinness at the Beach House in the newly repurposed harbour.

Mark too the murals on Bray Station commemorating those who have added to Bray and Irish life.

A space is open for the spiritual voice of Ireland.

So as we reflect on how all the flowers in your back yard died mama when you went away Sinead.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam Sinéad and nothing compares to Bray.

Countries, Ireland

Holiloos and Don’ts

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Now some Holiloos and Don’ts here.

There are few bigger passion killers than seeing your loved one relieve themselves through frosted glass.

Not a personal revelation here but an increasing situation in hotel rooms around the world.

Where traditional wood is giving way to glass doors.

All of which greater transparency honed into view.

With news from my old Irish stomping ground of what is being billed as a more open attitude to going to the bathroom.

Double up

With double loos for women at the plush K Sixty Seven Bar and Grill in Swords, north of Dublin.

Now, of course, men have been sharing their toiletry space with each other for generations.

Standing at troughs at football matches before we were upgraded to cubicles.

The Ausfahrt exit

And in fact those quirky Germans have even made a virtue of that.

As I discovered in Essen at the 11 Freunde sports bar.

By setting up plastic balls and goals in their urinals so that you can practise your shooting.

No surprise really for a country that prides itself on its toilet humour and deliberately plays with foreigners.

With such words as Ausfahrt for exit (quite literal our Teuton freunde).

Powder your nose

Fir he’s a jolly good fellow: Irish signs

Of course a woman’s bathroom provides a very different function.

As a place for the fairer sex to reapply their make-up.

And talk to each other about the hottie they’ve just met in the bar.

It’s a universal theme.

Of course you can glean a lot about a country from its loos… and their signs.

One of my favourites, in Dublin, points you in the direction of the men’s and women’s… or fir and mná.

Which reads men left, women always right.

Signs of the times

Now, of course, you ought to tread carefully, or not at all, around toilet doors.

If you see a funny sign as maybe other countries or cultures don’t take too kindly.

To you photographing the bathrooms with people coming and going freely.

Fraulein better: Austrian for women’s loo

In fact our own countries here might take a dim view too.

Although some establishments seem happy to employ staff to live in the loos and pedal lotions and potions.

A twist on peer pressure you’d have to think.

A bit of privacy

To temples, as in the case of the Tyroleans in Austria.

And they ascended one particular mount to see their new revolutionary new flush.

But here’s a clarion call for women… give them their bathroom space and preserve us too from frosted doors.

Clean out your pipes: Tyrolean gets comfy

They’ll thank us for it and besides it maintains the mystery.

Because it’s all part of your Holiloos and Don’ts.

Us men would like to preserve the myth that the fairer sex never need to deposit.

America, Countries, Europe, Ireland, Oceania, Sport

Here we GAA with sport’s biggest rivalries

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Ireland will come to a standstill today for Dublin v Kerry so here we GAA with sport’s biggest rivalries.

The two great Gaelic Football or Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) rivals have been facing off against each other since 1892.

So if you’re lucky, or you’ve planned ahead, then you’ll find yourself in Dublin on All-Ireland weekend.

When the Dubs and Kerry meet for the 14th time to decide who takes Sam home.

Sam being the iconic Sam Maguire after whom GAA’s most coveted trophy is named.

And paraded around the winning county’s clubs, filled to the brim with booze.

Croker is the real thing

Now seeing we live our lives by the mantra… go to where the locals pray and play we’d recommend the temple of GAA, Croke Park.

The 82,000 capacity North Dublin stadium affectionately known to locals as Croker which also houses the All-Ireland hurling final.

And Limerick’s hurlers are still in full party mode after beating their great rivals Kilkenny for their fourth title in a row.

Aussie rules

Famous travellers that they are the Irish took their Gaelic football with them when they were transported to Australia.

Where the sport developed into the Aussie Rules that it is today.

And the two countries play an international compromise series.

The biggest match of them all is the Grand final with Melbourne giants Carlton v Collingwood the fiercest match-up.

And every sports fan, and even those who don’t, need to visit the iconic MCG, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

It’s a thing that they play Aussie Rules on a cricket oval which I know from watching the action at London’s Foster’s Oval.

Boston’s team party

And when it comes to sporting rivalries then in America old historical rivalries run deep.

And when you add the snatching of a heroic player, Babe Ruth who you build your club around.

And curse their opponents then it’s plain to see…

Why the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees built up a grudge match.

Boston, of course, is one of America’s great sporting cities.

And its basketball team, the Celtics, have built up quite the history with the LA Lakers.

And its ice hockey team, the Bruins, with the Montreal Canadiens.

While Tom Brady and the New England Patriots built up a resentment from New York, yes, but right across the States.

El Classico

Now there are other soccer rivalries including Scotland’s Celtic and their Old Firm derby with Rangers.

But there’s only one El Classico… Barcelona v Real Madrid.

Although there are variations on that theme around the world this football classic allows you to sample the Iberian Peninsula.

And yes, you have to take sides, so full disclosure here it’s been Barcelona ever since I first helicoptered over the Camp Nou.

And got wrapped up in Messimania many years later.

Get in the hole

Now some old rivalries have enjoyed refurbs to become bigger and better than ever.

With the Ryder Cup, held for most of its history between GB & Ireland, now extended to include Europe.

All of which has meant that as well as the British and Irish heartlands.

We’ve now had Ryder Cups in Spain, France and this September in Rome.

Where we’re hoping that instead of the oft-exclaimed exhort of Fore! we’ll be hearing Forza! instead.

Back to the All-Ireland and if you’re not, or can’t be, at Croker today.

Then the big match is on RTÉ obvs but also now BBC Sport at 3pm.

It’s a good place to start as here we GAA with sport’s biggest rivalries.

Countries, Ireland, Sport, Sustainable Tourism

Dip your toe in Dublin’s Forty Foot

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It’s a rite of passage if you relocate to Ireland… to dip your toe in Dublin’s Forty Foot.

Take it from me, the Sandycove bay is all part of the odyssey, like it was for James Joyce’s great creation Leopold Bloom.

The Irish as we all know are a hardy bunch and think nothing of swimming in the sea, no matter the weather.

And no matter the weather, even on the hottest day of the year, the Irish Sea is challenging.

But they’ll expect that you dip your toe in Dublin’s Forty Foot.

Better then to make an experience of it from the Anantara Marker Hotel, one of the Leading Hotels of the World, overlooking the Waterfront on Grand Canal Square.

Swim on the wild side

Wild Swimming is part of the ‘Dublin Like Never Before’ menu of experiences.

They bill it as an unbeatable mix of adrenaline and tranquility.

With potential spottings of wild seals and dolphins, although in my one and only swim in the Forty Foot I only saw budgie… smugglers.

They promise too seals popping their heads up above the Craggy Rocks in Vico Bathing Place down the coast.

Where you may also catch sight of Vico’s most famous resident, the black-eyed Bono.

And we top off the adventure with a delicious breakfast or beach picnic for all to enjoy for €295 per person.

Spoon playing

If culinary is your thing, and it should be as this is Ireland, then the Marker offers a Spice Spoons package in Howth.

With a sail around Dublin Bay on a fishing boat, seal and dolphin-spotting.

Before you stop off at Kish Fish, home to one of Ireland’s most prestigious salmon smokehouses.

And then return to the hotel to try your hand at baking Irish soda bread. €

From €1150 for two, €75 per person for additions. €150 for the cooking class alone.

One more cuppa coffee

For the road… and when in Ireland learn to make an Irish coffee.

A coffee master and mixologist will talk and drink you through an immersive lesson with this Crafting an Irish Coffee class. €50 pp for Discovery Members – join here.

And there’s more

Now, we’ve been here before back in Bono’s backyard in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel where we were regaled by a seanachai, or Gaelic storyteller.

In this case Derek Brennan who will introduce us to Ireland’s hidden secrets and legends in his Docklands Walking Tour €75 per person.

An Irish stud

And no we’re not reverting back to Bono here, we’re talking pure thoroughbred racing stock at the Irish National Stud and Gardens in Co. Kildare.

You’ll see the wonder horses in their stables or out in their paddocks and learn about their breeding and pedigrees with the help of a private guide.

Go one step further with ‘The Irish Racehorse Experience’ and become the owner, trainer and jockey in an immersive experience which offers the chance to partake in an interactive, virtual race. €250 per person.

Another kind of handicap

And this one is for the golfer in you, at the Royal Dublin Golf Clu b in Clontarf.

You’ll be chauffeured to the club and then hook up (sorry) with a professional at Ireland’s second oldest golf club, located on Bull Island in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

A whiskey tasting awaits post-game on the hotel’s picturesque 360-degree rooftop. €210 per person.

All dram good fun.

Countries, Ireland

Shell out on Dublin’s Shelbourne

15th July 202315th July 2023 funtime65

We’re back among Irish Travel’s Movers and Shakers which is why our TravelMedia host Michael has seen fit to shell out on Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel again.

The historic hotel which fronts onto St Stephen’s Green.

And is guarded by a top-hatted and suited doorman.

And at times in its storied life too by an armed battalion when those revolting locals set up a trench in the park.

With British soldiers taking up positions on the rooftops to protect their guests.

Probably not what the Great and Good had in mind for their Easter weekend treat in 1916.

But an extra offering all the same… a chance to be there for the birthrights of what would become a new republic.

Nelson disarmed

The proclamation of independence, for all of us who know the chronology of those days, was of course declared at the GPO on Sackville Street.

Rechristened since as O’Connell Street.

And adorned with its own heroes, all of which spelt dust for poor old Admiral Nelson…

Toora loora loora loora loo!

Which was how trad legends The Dubliners immortalised the blowing up of his statue in song.

The bearded balladeers having formed their band.

Around the corner in O’Donoghue’s, off Grafton Street, on Merrion Row.

Grafting on Grafton Street

Getting our Phil: With friends at Phil Lynott’s statue

Grafton Street hums to the sound of buskers to this day.

Bono has been known to turn up unannounced while Phil Lynott stands sentry outside the Bruxelles bar on Harry Street.

Where it is compulsory to take visitors for a picture and leave a guitar plectrum for the Great Man.

The hen party I’d unwittingly spent the morning with at Edinburgh Airport.

As we’d sat through four gate changes and a three-hour delay are headed for Temple Bar.

But that’s for the tourist beer parties in search of Paddywhackery.

And willing to pay double for the privilege…

Real Dublin swarms around the pedestrianised shopping hub which connects Merrion Square and Stephen’s Green.

Famine and Feast

Merrion Square boasting the statue of Oscar Wilde reclining with inscriptions of his works alongside.

And Thomas Wolfe Stone, early insurrectionist and Constance Markiewicz, soldier of the Rising and the first female elected MP to the House of Commons.

Her sentence of execution was commuted to imprisonment.

Before she benefited from the amnesty of prisoners released after the Irish War of Independence.

There are ghosts in this here place.

The most poignant of all the million Irish mothers, fathers, children and grandchildren who died in the Potato Famine of the mid-18th century.

Whose loss is forever remembered in stone in Stephen’s Green, opposite the Shelbourne.

There is too a photographic and artistic exhibition to the Famine.

On the top floor of the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.

Two Michael Collins

But that will be for my next visit ‘home’… time presses.

Do I feel guilty that I will be feeding on the best meats and sweet treats and fine wines.

Across from a statue to one million dead?

Where the British military had holidayed that weekend.

I console myself that it was here in the Shelbourne, in Room 112.

That a committee chaired by Michael Collins, drafted the Irish Constitution.

To ensure that the sacrifices of those like Easter Rising martyr James Connolly, like me an Irish-Scot, Ireland were not in vain.

We are in good hands, brought together again like so often, by the inimitable Michael Collins, descendant of that Michael Collins.

For a reunion with our American friends and more of that later.

And great statesman of our Irish Travel industry.

Who thinks only the best of us too and will always shell out on Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel.

Countries, Europe, Ireland

St Veronica wipes out King Billy on the Glorious 12th

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Now at the last count we found 22 saintly contenders who share this day but today we focus on how St Veronica wipes out King Billy on the Glorious 12th.

St Veronica, we know from one simple act of humanity from the Passion of Jesus Christ.

When she wiped Our Lord’s sweat and blood-splattered face on his way to Calvary.

For which she was sanctified and given this day for Christians to mark every 12th of July.

Though some in the North of Ireland prefer to bedeck themselves in orange and march in memory of Protestant saviour King William of Orange.

And burn effigies of the Pope upon towering pyres of tyres.

The Donegal exodus

All of which leads to an exodus of Catholics to bordering Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

Our own Veronica here in our family, our beloved auntie who used to take me on childhood holidays there and in Co. Galway, now lies for eternity there in her home county.

And I was able to return the favour to drive her and my Dear Old Mum, her big sister, up to Ireland’s northernmost county, in her sports car, with both women chattering and pressing buttons on the dashboard.

Veronica’s, or Ronnie’s as we all knew her, was well-named and such was her devotion to her faith I remember her especially this day, her patron saint’s day.

The virtuous Veronica

The holy of holies. At the end of the Francigena in Rome

Of the other Veronica, well, little is known of her after her act of kindness.

But more is known of the cloth she handed to Jesus with it believed to reside now in the Vatican.

There is reference to it coming into the hands of Pope John VII in the early eighth century.

While its legend became popular in the 13th through 15th centuries when the veil was on public display.

Indulgences were granted for people who performed devotions before it.

The trail went somewhat cold around the Sack of Rome in 1527.

There are believed to be six known copies in the world with the original kept in St. Peter’s basilica.

Portrait of a saint

Hands up for King Billy: UIster Unionism

So, if you want an alternative to Northern Irish unionist triumphalist on this day.

Then try the patron saint of laundry workers and photographers… and thank you for my own award-winning snapper, Mrs M.

Because now you know, St Veronica wipes out King Billy on the Glorious 12th.

America, Countries, Europe, Ireland

Farther’s Day Travels

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Indulge me, no seriously indulge me, as we take Farther’s Day Travels around the world.

We went no farther than the Iberian Peninsula back in the day with my Dear Old Dad but it felt like a new world.

The excitement of the beach, an Orangina and even drinking from a porron.

A Spanish omelette and Chupa Chups lollies rather than cheapie chips at home.

Our favourite place was, and still is, Ireland.

Next door, but in Co. Donegal, Ireland’s most remote county which was then like going back in time, revisiting history.

Capital gains

When it came to my time though the world had shrunk, largely due to budget airlines.

And so we were able to take the decision to take our eating monsters to some of the world’s great capitals.

London and Paris, Rome and New York and sunspots Majorca and Turkey and Bulgaria.

Father’s Day has become a bigger fixture on our calendar over the years.

And the pressure has built to reward our Dear Old Dads with more than just a Hallmark or Clinton card.

Just the ticket

Viva Espana: With Spanish Tourism’s Sara and El Champ in Dublin

And so our inbox has been crammed with Father’s Day Travel offers.

We’ll not go through them here particularly as we’re in the day that’s in it.

So, if you’ve been caught out by time and found you’ve not got your father a giftie today.

Scouse about that? With Ally in Liverpool

Give him a call, or better still a Zoom, and let him tell you one of those embarrassing stories of you as a kiddie.

Or do as my own Son and Heir has done and give you a date to look forward to.

Such as a football match, with Himself offering the prospect of a Premier League football match from his base in London.

That’s the game

And the best way to get from one end of Britain to the next, like it or loathe it, is by coach, or plane.

And because I’ll be on a limited schedule then it’ll be the plane.

Now because if you don’t ask you won’t get then may I be cheeky and float a cherry on top, an airline voucher.

Ryanair has such a thing too… and the good news is it’ll mean you’ll get more time with me.

It’s just a little bit more, Farther’s Day Travels, if you will.

Happy Father’s Day, my own Dear Old Dad and thanks for still looking down on us all.

MEET YOU ON THE ROAD

Countries, Ireland, Music

This Christy World

14th June 202314th June 2023 funtime65

Why could we not protect him in this Christy World, farewell North Dublin’s finest, Christy Dignam?

Christy and Aslan, whom Bono, no less, credited as a big inspiration, lived in his own crazy world.

Sing our praises: With the Scary One at the Temple Bar

And that legacy is marked every weekend in the Temple Bar in his native Dublin… and yes, we have joined in full gusto at the Bar.

When a tribute act will be asked, or instinctively just know, to belt out the Crazy World anthem.

North side splitters

I heard many of Christy’s antics and his lightfooted love life from Northside People editor Paul ‘Feathers’ Featherson.

All of which passed the time on our Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul.

Aslan, for many the hardest-working band in Ireland, have a tour taking in the whole of the island.

Next stop was Derry’s Millennium Forum, now cancelled out of respect.

Flying high: With North Dub Feathers and the gang in Istanbul

While other upcoming July dates included Wexford and the National Opera House and Kerry’s Gleneagle INEC arena.

Aslan have carried on, and who knows if they can continue without their charismatic frontman, the rich legacy of Irish touring musicians.

Who take the music to the people in small towns and townlands across the island.

And remember Christy said it himself that he had ‘travelled through so many towns.”

Touring musicians

And they and their fellow strummers and singers, fiddlers and folksters add a huge ingredient to your Irish holiday.

Because for as long as I can remember there has been a musical backdrop to my Irish vacations.

From the Irish country keeping me awake in Harkin’s Bar next door on annual Easter trips with my Dear Old Mum in Brockagh, Co. Donegal.

Through the draw of Joe Dolan on a Ring of Kerry tour.

And a Van Morrison jazz cabaret at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.

It’s all right

And there will be more, all of which helps us cope.

It is a tough enough world and one North Dublin singer just helped us forget it about for a little while.

So let’s just continue to take solace from his calming message…

In this Christy world… it’s all right.

America, Countries, Ireland, Sport

Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland

11th June 2023 funtime65

They spun it around to say it is a football town with a working-class problem and the Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland.

Who says so? Well, only the NFL who have awarded the Steelers rights to expand their brand and activities for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

As part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program.

And so what does that mean?

Well, as an active NFL marquee franchise, the Steelers can host exclusive events, such as fan and youth football activities throughout Ireland.

And the Global Markets Program licence also allows them to engage corporate sponsors, merchandise sales and marketing relationships.

Best of all is the news coming out of friend of Ireland and former US Ambassador to Dublin Daniel Rooney is what all gridiron fans want to hear.

Touchdown

“Our aspirations long term are to play a game in Ireland,” said Daniel, the team’s director of business development and strategy.

To date, Ireland has never hosted a regular-season NFL game.

But the Steelers beat the Chicago Bears 30-17 in a pre-season match-up at Dublin’s Croke Park in 1997.

And we’ve enjoyed the biennial college football at the Aviva.

Back to Croke Park and it holds 82,300 and would likely be the site of any future Steelers game.

Of course, the best way to get on board the Steelers is to get out there for yourself… and grab yourself your 15 minutes of fame.

Either down the Steelers stadium or maybe even take in the Andy Warhol Museum

All with Aer Lingus with a round trip from here in Edinburgh from £1,224.

In the family

During his time in Ireland, Rooney helped establish the Ireland Funds programme.

Founded to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development across Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.

Daniel also worked to further the knowledge gridiron throughout Ireland, efforts that included an annual flag football contest.

The Steelers have launched dedicated Irish social media accounts and are planning a fan watch party.

“My family has deep roots throughout Ireland and being able to connect with our fans across the Island is something special to our organisation,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II.

Clearly, as a Rooney, and his grandfather, Art Rooney Sr., was the founding owner of the NFL franchise.

According to the Pew Research Center, Pittsburgh ranked first among large U.S. cities with 17 percent of its population claiming Irish ancestry.

Piling up the teams

Bridge of highs: Pittsburgh

A confession here, your favourite blogger favours Boston and New England in all things American sport.

But now Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland I might be persuaded.

Heck, who am I kidding? I adopt extra teams every time I tick off a new American city.

And so after my trip to San Antonio the Spurs are now on the roster.

Now I have two horses in the NBA final between Denver and Miami.

And the Stanley Cup with Florida and Las Vegas.