Irish eyes were smiling on the Steelers when they played in the first ever NFL regular season game in Ireland, defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 24-21, in front of 74,512 fans at Dublin's historic Croke Park.
The organization was active across the island throughout the week:
The Terrible Towel Tour
Former Steelers lineman and Steelers Audio Network Color Analyst Max Starks traveled around the island of Ireland delivering Terrible Towels, in partnership with Aer Lingus. Starting in Dublin, Starks made stops across the south, west and north, visiting some well-known sites, as well as some not-so-well known, culminating the four-day journey in Belfast. The trip was documented on the Steelers Irish social media channels and stops included: Limerick, Kilkenny, the Cliffs of Moher and Derry!
A Trip North
On Thursday, members of the organization traveled from Dublin to Northern Ireland, where The Ireland Funds and Steelers announced the establishment of the Dan and Patricia Rooney No Mind Left Behind Scholarship. Dan Rooney Sr., along with Pittsburgh businessman Tony O'Reilly, founded The Ireland Funds and the organization wanted to find a way to honor him and his wife, Patricia.
The scholarship was announced during an event in Newry, County Down, where Dan Rooney Sr.'s family ancestry is deeply rooted and is an area that he always held close to his heart. Steelers Vice President of Business Development & Strategy Dan Rooney and Ireland Funds President Caitriona Fottrell awarded scholarships to two college-bound students from Newry as well as announced donations of $10,000 to each of their schools.
Earlier that day, the team hosted a free American Flag Football Clinics, presented by Aer Lingus and UPMC, in Belfast for 100 local young boys and girls. The clinic was conducted by Steelers legends Jerome Bettis, Max Starks and Ike Taylor.
The Team Arrives
The Steelers departed from Pittsburgh on Thursday evening via an Aer Lingus flight from Pittsburgh International Airport and landed in Dublin on Friday. Later that day, the team held a practice at Carton House, which was covered by approximately 100 media members from around the globe.
While practicing, the players wore special jerseys with their names translated from English to Gaelic, done by Aedin Ni Bhrianin, the Irish Language Development Officer for Munster Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). The idea for the practice jerseys originated with Steelers equipment manager Adam Regan, who presented it to team President Art Rooney II and Vice President of Business Development & Strategy Dan Rooney.
Fitzsimons Pub: Home Away From Home
One of Dublin's most historic pubs turned into homebase for Steelers Nation over the course of game weekend. Fitzsimons Pub, located in Temple Bar, literally became part of Steelers Country – with branding on both the inside and outside of the pub. Live entertainment included Irish music, as well as 8+ hours a day of live Steelers audio programming, including SNR Drive & The WDVE Morning Show, emanating from the top floor of the pub each day. Fans were also treated to alumni appearances, including one by Maurkice Pouncey, who poured his own pint from behind the bar!
Over a three day period, over 3,000 fans visited Fitzsimmons.
"We normally have strong weekends when it comes to the All-Ireland Finals, Irish Rugby, Irish Football, New Years Eve & even St. Patrick's weekend, which is normally our strongest weekend every year," said Romy Carroll, the pub's Sales & Marketing Manager. "But we've never seen anything like the crowds of supporters and fans that the Steelers bought in to Fitzsimons over the weekend."
Fan Tailgate in Merrion Square Park
From Friday through Sunday, the Fáilte Steelers Tailgate, presented by Aer Lingus, provided a place for Steelers fans to gather in the heart of Dublin's City Centre in picturesque Merrion Square Park.
Over the course of the three days, over 20,000 Steelers fans attended the free event and enjoyed food and beverage, live music and entertainment, lawn games, video programming and much more. The weekend kicked off with a bang as those in attendance were treated to a Q&A session with Legends Ben Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey and Ike Taylor. Saturday included performances from lrish dancers, a live band and more alumni appearances from Max Starks and James Farrior. Sunday provided a place for fans to watch the game for free on two large video screens.
The Tailgate also featured American football youth flag clinics, presented by Aer Lingus & UPMC. Over the course of three days, over 200 young people got coaching tips from Steelers Legends.
A Visit To The Ambassador's Residence
The NFL hosted a flag football event at the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland's residence in Phoenix Park on Saturday, an opportunity for approximately 40 youth from area schools to take part in a five-on-five NFL Flag Football Tournament. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Steelers President Art Rooney II and Steelers Vice President of Business Development & Strategy Dan Rooney were in attendance for the fun-filled afternoon, which included gift exchanges with U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Edward Walsh. Ben Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey and Ike Taylor were all on hand to provide instruction and encouragement for the youth.
Town Hall Forum & Pittsburgh Reception
Later in the day on Saturday, Art Rooney II and Jerome Bettis spoke as part of a panel at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's Town Hall. The Town Hall, an event the commissioner normally hosts at NFL International events, hit on a wide range of topics, from the growing global market to fan support in cities around the globe, and everything in between.
Meanwhile, Steelers Vice President of Business Development and Strategy Dan Rooney also spoke at The Pittsburgh Reception, an event celebrating the economic and cultural partnership between Ireland and the Pittsburgh region.
Steelers Pro Shop Ireland
The Steelers opened an official retail location in Dublin earlier in the month of September and while business was brisk in the first few weeks, game week saw the official Steelers Pro Shop in Ireland attract shoppers by the thousands. Steelers Nation from around the world stopped to check out the Ireland collection, as did Steelers President Art Rooney II and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. In addition, Jerome Bettis surprised shoppers by stopping in on the Friday of game week to meet fans and sign autographs.
Game Day
On Sunday, one of Europe's largest and most historic stadiums turned into a sea of Black & Gold. Steelers fans from all over the world showed out at Croke Park to support the team, with Terrible Towels on full display throughout the day. The Terrible Towel Twirl was led by Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis and renowned Irish athletes Stephanie Roche and Paudie Clifford. The pregame sequence also featured the unfurling of a giant Terrible Towel in the stands. The game was full of memorable plays and finished off with the Steelers securing a memorable win.
