Exploring Ireland: Getting ready for the 2026 Aer Lingus Classic

Members of the TCU Athletics employees lately spent three days in Ireland. This is the primary in a three-part collection on issues they skilled in and round Dublin upfront of the 2026 Aer Lingus Classic towards North Carolina, scheduled for Aug. 29, 2026. Travel and hospitality packages can be found at Frogs2Ireland.com.

Travel to Dublin: Aer Lingus

In Irish, Aer Lingus means “air fleet” and is the flag service of Ireland. After a two-hour American Airlines flight from DFW Airport to Chicago, the Aer Lingus flight departed at 9:15 p.m. and arrived at Dublin Airport at 10:40 a.m., with a flight time of seven hours. The airline codeshares with Oneworld, which serves as a terrific partnership with American Airlines. Through Aer Lingus, American Airlines presents one direct flight from DFW Airport to Dublin Airport every day.

Each seat on Aer Lingus is supplied with a display screen for viewing TV exhibits, films, flight maps and video games. A full meal was served in addition to gentle snacks earlier than a breakfast sandwich with selection of espresso or tea was out there within the morning, shortly earlier than arrival.

The Venue: Aviva Stadium

Aviva Stadium is house to the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The recreation between the Tar Heels and the Horned Frogs would be the seventh American Football Game performed within the stadium, which opened in 2010. Aviva Stadium seats 49,000 and is nestled up towards neighboring homes. The wavy overhang of the roof covers the seating space which will probably be a comforting benefit for any wet climate. The first American soccer recreation at Aviva Stadium was between Notre Dame and Navy on Sept. 1, 2012.

Aviva Stadium sits on the identical grounds as Lansdowne Road Stadium which stood from 1872 to 2007. It is house to the Irish rugby union workforce and the Republic of Ireland soccer workforce. The stadium has hosted a number of worldwide sporting occasions and live shows, together with most lately the 2024 Europa League ultimate.

Teeling Whiskey Distillery

Of the various issues in Dublin which are over a century outdated, Teeling Whiskey Distillery will not be one among them. However, in a metropolis wealthy of whiskey historical past, Teeling Whiskey Distillery has the excellence of being the primary new distillery in Dublin for over 125 years after opening in 2015. The place presents guided excursions for an opportunity to expertise the whiskey-making course of. All excursions conclude with a tasting. If you are brief on time, head proper to the Bang Bang Bar and order the Irish Coffee and take a look at to think about a time you’ve got tasted a greater one. If you need to drink an Irish Coffee together with your face on it, you are able to do that too, or perhaps one together with your favourite workforce’s emblem.

Leopardstown Racecourse

Leopardstown is Ireland’s premier racetrack and is situated 5 miles south of the middle of Dublin. The monitor opened in 1888 and is 1.75 miles in size. The 220-acre property contains an 18-hole golf course within the infield.  Aside from the horse racing, Leopardstown is a spot that hits quite a lot of leisure choices together with a karaoke bar, comedy membership and dwell music. Patrons can place bets in particular person or on-line.