Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Alamy Stock Photo

Dame Street closed to traffic from tonight as American College Football comes to town again

Georgia Tech and Florida State University will face off in the Aviva on Saturday.

TWO AMERICAN COLLEGE Football teams from Florida and Georgia are going head to head in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

It is the third year that the Aer Lingus College Football Classic has brought the game to Dublin, which this time around will see Georgia Tech and Florida State University take the field.

Thousands of Americans are visiting Dublin to attend the game.

Meanwhile, it has received a mixed reception from locals; some will head along to the game or take part in the affiliated events around Dublin, others are against the significant use of space and resources for an American game rather than one that is played in Ireland on a regular basis, and there are plenty who didn’t even know it was happening.

Kick-off time is at 5pm in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Many of the surrounding streets will be subject to road closures and diversions from 2pm (Bath Avenue, Londonbridge Road, part of Landsdowne Road, and Landsdowne Park) and 4.30pm (Shelbourne Road, all of Landsdowne Road, Ballsbridge Avenue, Beatty’s Avenue, Herbert Road and Newbridge Avenue).

Earlier in the day, the College Green area will be the site of celebrations during a pre-game programme on ESPN called College Gameday, which will be broadcast live from 2pm to 5pm.

Dublin City Council says that this is the first time the show has been broadcast outside the US. ESPN College Gameday last year reached an average vieweship of 2 million viewers an episode

As a result, Dame Street is closing to vehicle traffic from 8pm this evening until 6am on Sunday. Foster Place has been closed from 3pm on Wednesday and will also re-open to traffic from 6am on Sunday.

Bus services in the Temple Bar area on the Quays and Westmoreland Street will continue to operate, as will the Luas Green Line.

“Any temporary relocation of bus stops from Dame Street to other locations will be publicised via the National Transport Authority website. The Taxi Ranks from Foster Place and College Green will be moved temporarily to D’Olier Street,” Dublin City Council said in a statement.

The event on College Green is non-ticketed and open to the public.

Padraic O’Kane, Director and Co-Founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, has said that around 25,000 Americans are expected to visit Dublin for the event and attendance at the sold-out game will be around 47,500. 

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland, O’Kane said that college football is a “multi-billion dollar game” and that there will be a television audience of around four million people watching the game.

“It’s not just the 25,000 people that are in town with a huge economic benefit in Ireland – we’re also on mainstream TV for nine hours in the United States on Saturday and that can’t be bad for Ireland,” he said.

He said organisers are looking to cement the game as an annual event in Ireland for many years to come.

“The sport of American football is hugely growing here, both in participation and viewing,” O’Kane said.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
51 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute OU812
    Favourite OU812
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:26 AM

    Give you a tip for the next country you launch in lads…

    On the morning of your launch, have every car available. Just tried the app – 20 minute wait for a car. Flicked over to Hailo, four cars within 3 minutes. Didn’t try uber because I’ve never used them.

    466
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Byrne
    Favourite Martin Byrne
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 6:34 AM

    Even if they dominated the taxi app market, They’ll always find something to moan about. Dublin taxi drivers are the biggest moans on the planet.

    348
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Duncan
    Favourite Alan Duncan
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:08 AM

    says the lad moaning about taxi drivers

    289
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:43 AM

    Oh I don’t know lots of moaning goes on here ! Martin Byrne

    42
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maurice Dancer
    Favourite Maurice Dancer
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:03 AM

    I like to have a good old moan. Everyone does.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute My EL531W
    Favourite My EL531W
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 10:11 AM

    The difference is I don’t expect people to pay for the privilege of hearing me moan.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Coloe
    Favourite Fred Coloe
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 5:24 PM

    Martin…this is Ireland. Moaning is a part of our culture. Moaning and doing nothing about it!!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lotto blotto
    Favourite lotto blotto
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:12 AM

    seems to be those who completely missed the Hailo revolution finally waking up to the new reality. the main difference appears to be the drivers will wear uniforms? too little, too late?

    290
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Murphey
    Favourite David Murphey
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:14 AM

    Can someone explain to me why the Lady Mayor is promoting a commercial organisations? Is that part of her job?

    174
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Hayward
    Favourite Catherine Hayward
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 6:54 AM

    Great more competition better value, will have a job beating halo there brilliant….

    182
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neuromancer
    Favourite neuromancer
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 2:21 PM

    Hardly competition if the meter rate is the same.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred Coloe
    Favourite Fred Coloe
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 5:22 PM

    Meaning the drivers are brilliant since we provide the service, suffer the discounts ie no call out fee and 5 mins free waiting time…and then give Hailo 12% of the fare too! Lots of drivers turn Hailo off on rainy days and I, for one, reject all jobs that are more than 1 km from me. Can’t see Ecab taking off though….nothing for drivers or passengers to make change from Hailo.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Pepper
    Favourite Luke Pepper
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:04 AM

    I booked an Xpert taxi a week in advance last year to bring me to a nearby bus terminus to get to the airport and they cancelled on me 10mins before the taxi was due. Went onto the hailo app and had one at the door in 5mins!

    147
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kennedy
    Favourite Alan Kennedy
    Report
    Apr 15th 2017, 11:27 PM

    @Luke Pepper: Maybe the driver who got your job one month in advance couldn’t contain himself and was wasted come the pickup time.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute the phantom
    Favourite the phantom
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:21 AM

    It is very unclear from the website if you will be charged a call out fee when using the app. I know lots of drivers did with hailo initially until this was disallowed.
    Either a call out fee will be charged – in which case why use this app, or they really need to make clear it won’t be charged.
    https://www.e-cab.com/en/dublin/

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anon Ymous
    Favourite Anon Ymous
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:27 AM

    Thanks!

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 8:00 AM

    Ecab + charges taxi fare +7% . If like hailo + this is a better grade taxi they cannot charge more than meter price ! Hailo for the Hailo+ blue option is taxi rate only

    23
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 8:06 AM

    I have just went to download the App from Play store .. The reviews are shocking !!

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian McNally
    Favourite Ian McNally
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:28 AM

    Hailo has seriously taken a dive in quality recently so looking forward to some more options and competition

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sharon Reid
    Favourite Sharon Reid
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:28 AM

    I had awful dealings with Halio and I’ll never use them again. I welcome this app even with a call out charge to many unknown drivers doing what they like and charging what they like without been given so much as slap on the wrist with Halio. Even my bad reviews were removed.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anon Ymous
    Favourite Anon Ymous
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:17 AM

    There seems to be s few different eCab apps in the App Store. Any chance of a link to it?

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Kelly
    Favourite Aidan Kelly
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:12 AM

    always available except Saturday nights after midnight

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Fisher
    Favourite Jim Fisher
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 11:01 AM

    I was about to install the app but stopped when I saw all the access it needed. To install it wanted access to Identity, Contacts, Media, Photos, Camera, WiFi Info, etc. I can understand why it requires Location and Caller id but why does it need all this access and can it be installed without the access.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 12:10 PM

    Jim you will find most if not all Apps have this list of wants

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Xenophon
    Favourite James Xenophon
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 8:12 AM

    Carrickmines if off the agenda already I see. Where’s the 10 day rolling coverage we got with Berkeley? I know this will be removed. Thejournal.ie doesn’t brook disagreement with its sickening editorial policies.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 8:19 AM

    James what more would you like to know ?

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Xenophon
    Favourite James Xenophon
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:04 AM

    I want heartfelt bios of all the victims. I want articles ad nauseum from engineers and fire experts and safety experts explaining why the fire happened. I want pictures of the loved ones mourning and laying wreaths, and lengthy descriptions of how devastated the entire country is and that we’ll never be the same. I’m just wondering if that only happens for rich people.

    20
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Xenophon
    Favourite James Xenophon
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:07 AM

    And can I just say, Shane, that your desire for us not to get more information shows how sick you are, and what contempt you have the for the families.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:25 AM

    James you can say ! But be careful what you say !

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Walsh
    Favourite Derek Walsh
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 10:55 AM

    James, you seem to be saying that you wish this article was about a different topic. Why don’t you read one of the four articles that are about that topic instead?

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Freeney
    Favourite Shane Freeney
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:26 AM

    Most drivers have a few Apps so for those who don’t like a Hailo driver and choose a VIP chances are he changed his cap before picking you up .

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anon Ymous
    Favourite Anon Ymous
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:30 AM

    I use the Lynk app and find it great. Never had any problems. I have used Hailo or Uber.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anon Ymous
    Favourite Anon Ymous
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 7:31 AM

    I have *never* used Hailo or Uber.

    D’oh!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Beer Keg
    Favourite Beer Keg
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 8:20 AM

    You know the type of men who sit in the back of a taxi not beside the driver….. Usually geeky and work in finance or I.T.!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Murphey
    Favourite David Murphey
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:13 AM

    Beer Keg, you must have little to do this morning if you are complaining about where people sit in taxis.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Dublin Cynic
    Favourite The Dublin Cynic
    Report
    Oct 13th 2015, 1:27 AM

    Uniformed lol, tracksuit and polo shirt

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ED
    Favourite ED
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 9:23 AM

    Perfect time for someone to step in and launch a all in one app, take a little of the top of course..

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jeanette
    Favourite jeanette
    Report
    Oct 12th 2015, 8:27 PM

    When in San Francisco, London and Nice this summer I used Ubers taxis. In these city’s I can get a quote on the app but they don’t provide this facility here in Ireland. I have emailed them twice to query this but have been ignored. Is it because we are robbed by all taxi’s here! Probably!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nicolas Martinez
    Favourite Nicolas Martinez
    Report
    Oct 13th 2015, 10:19 AM

    So is the free €10 promo over? As it’s a day later and I don’t see any such indication in the app.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nicolas Martinez
    Favourite Nicolas Martinez
    Report
    Oct 13th 2015, 10:49 AM

    Here is your promo code in order to benefit from the 10€ discount : ECABDUBLIN. For it to be effective: -              Open your eCab app -              Select the eCab+ service -              Place your booking -              Enter the promo code ECABDUBLIN  And enjoy your first ride.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nicolas Martinez
    Favourite Nicolas Martinez
    Report
    Oct 13th 2015, 11:13 AM

    You have until 30 December to use it, which gives you some time.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds