Aviva Stadium history, location ahead of Florida State football game
Florida State and Georgia Tech play in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 24, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland.
Pack your bags and get your passports out, Florida State football is heading to Ireland.
With kickoff against Georgia Tech days away, Seminole fans are beginning to make the over 4,000-mile trip to the Emerald Isle for the week zero matchup with the Yellow Jackets.
Kickoff is noon in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Many FSU fans are taking the opportunity to explore Dublin and the greater area leading up to the game. So for those who have never been to Ireland before, where should they go?
Here are some places to visit and things to know while in Ireland’s capital city.
These tips are brought to you by FSU beat writer and United States and Ireland dual citizen Liam Rooney and the Consul General of Ireland in Miami Sarah Kavanagh, who the Democrat spoke with when she visited Tallahassee in August.
Visit one of the many local museums
There is a host of museums to visit in the Dublin area, with some detailing the history of the country and others taking a look at the greater world and arts.
From Dublina, a look at Viking exploration and medieval Dublin, to the National Museum of Ireland, there is a wide variety of historical museums in the area. On the art side of things, you can visit the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History or the National Gallery of Ireland.
Kavanagh said she enjoys the national museums and the close proximity to each other, but outside of that, she suggests some of her other favorite places for history buffs to check out.
“I love history so I would recommend Dublin Castle, the EPIC Museum and Christchurch Cathedral,” Kavanagh said. “There’s a charge involved, but it’s worth it.”
During Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell’s visit to Ireland in March, he took a trip to the EPIC Museum and gave his recommendation on X, formerly Twitter.
Check out the different restaurants, pubs in the area
Food and drinks are a big part of Ireland, with restaurants and pubs lining the streets of Dublin, Seminoles fans will have their pick of where to go.
Walking around and exploring the city will allow the thousands of fans making the trip overseas a chance to experience something different, with Kavanagh suggesting Seminoles fans try her favorite order.
“We have a lot of great restaurants with food from all over the world,” Kavanagh said. “Of course, it’s hard to beat a “toasted special” (a toasted sandwich with ham, cheese, onion, tomato) with a side of chips (French fries) in an atmospheric Irish pub.”
What will the weather be like in Ireland, what should fans pack?
There will be plenty of changes in climate for fans traveling from Tallahassee to Dublin, with the Irish capital likely to be much cooler than the sweltering 90-degree heat in Florida’s capital.
The forecast for the game currently calls for temperatures in the mid-60s with a 40-percent chance of showers.
With a cooler climate, jackets and layers are a must. Kavanagh thinks fans are going to be exploring Dublin regardless of the climate.
“Dublin is a great walking city so I would say always wear comfortable walking shoes and enjoy a wander,” Kavanagh said. “I would also suggest layers, a cardigan or hoody that can be removed if the sun beats down, which it sometimes does. Wear sunscreen, that’s a rule for all countries.”
Go on tours of different locations in the city
There is plenty to experience in Dublin, and some of the best things to see or visit often can’t be listed. However, Kavanagh said there are some fan favorites for those traveling for the game to see.
“People love to visit the breweries and distilleries and the Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery are hugely popular,” Kavanagh said.
Take a visit to see the iconic red exterior of the Temple Bar or the many restaurants and shops that line the streets of Dublin. A trip to St. Stephens Green provides travelers a chance to view Ireland’s nature and history in the heart of the city.
While the masses will be heading to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, taking a tour of the stadium earlier in the week could be an exciting introduction.
A tour of Croke Park, the stadium for Ireland’s games of Gaelic football and hurling, will also give fans a look at the unique sports of the country.
FSU football vs. Georgia Tech: How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, August 24
- Time: Noon ET
- Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)
Florida State football schedule 2024
- Week 0: vs. Georgia Tech, noon Saturday, August 24 in Dublin, Ireland
- Week 1: vs. Boston College, 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 2
- Week 2: Open
- Week 3: vs. Memphis, noon Saturday, September 14
- Week 4: vs. California, Saturday, September 21
- Week 5: at SMU, Saturday, September 28
- Week 6: vs. Clemson, Saturday, October 5
- Week 7: Open
- Week 8: at Duke, 7 p.m. Friday, October 18
- Week 9: at Miami, Saturday, October 26
- Week 10: vs. North Carolina, Saturday, November 2
- Week 11: at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 9
- Week 12: Open
- Week 13: vs. Charleston Southern, Saturday, November 23
- Week 14: vs. Florida, Saturday, November 30
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
