If I’m being honest, Dublin was not on my bucket list. Not that I’m anti-Irish, I just didn’t have the destination pegged as a must-see before I die.

Thankfully, my alma mater scheduled a college football game as part of the Aer Lingus Classic, played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Without it, I may never have discovered how much fun Dublin delivers.

Dressed in purple and ready to cheer on my Kansas State Wildcats to victory against the Iowa State Cyclones, I grabbed a fellow football friend and flew Aer Lingus from Washington Dulles direct to Dublin. We arrived a few days ahead of the game and split our hotel stays between The Clayton Hotel Burlington Road and The Cottage Green Hotel Dublin, Autograph Collection.

Turns out, both hotels were significant K-State hot spots: The Clayton was the host hotel for the K-State football team and coaches, and The Cottage Green was one of the locations chosen by the alumni association. Purple balloons, K-State Powercat lapel pins and gorgeous purple flower arrangements greeted us at both locations. Dublin really did pull out all the stops to make both teams feel welcome and at home.

My son plays Division I football at a different school in the Midwest, but during my time at the team hotel, it sure felt like he played at K-State. I was privy to all the parental emotions: Joining other moms and dads gathered in the lobby, watching young men make their way to the buses, passing coaches in the hallway and hearing them say “Hello.” Being a football mom seems to translate, no matter what color the jersey.

Even though the game was played in Dublin, it was considered a home game for KSU. That means we heard our home game announcer, saw our graphics on the big screens, and our band/cheer section opened the game with our usual pomp and circumstance. It was like playing a bowl game on the road but bringing all the local fanfare from Manhattan, Kansas.

Our seats in the end zone were spectacular. And thanks to the cleverly constructed canopy, I never felt a single drop of rain inside the stadium. My seat was next to an Iowa State alum who lived in Kansas City and brought his family to the game. He said he always cheers for K-State unless they’re playing Iowa State. His team walked away with the win, but I appreciated his candor and gracious demeanor throughout the game.

Beyond the football game, several other things impressed me about Dublin. The fun-loving nature of the locals was evident. The live music smash-ups invited singalongs on the streets. The cab drivers were all witty and engaging. The city rolled out the red carpet for nearly 26,000 international visitors, and I never heard anyone complain.

I learned the best Guinness really is made in Dublin (and even better with red currant). Temple Bar may be a tourist hot spot, but it’s ridiculously fun and worth a few hours. Petunias hanging from window planter boxes are an unexpected welcome mat to a pub. Potatoes are everywhere, just as you’d expect.

Of the five days we were in Dublin, it only rained once. We enjoyed touring Trinity College, Dublin Castle, The Book of Kells and Christ Church Cathedral. We had no difficulties at the airport, no trouble communicating and made fast friends everywhere we went.

Frankly, I hated to leave.

As I suspect, that’s the brilliance of hosting a college football game on the other side of the Atlantic. My trip practically guaranteed a return visit to Ireland, and next time, I’ll bring more friends.

The Irish fun has just begun.

— Carrie Cox, senior account executive