Exploring Ireland: Preparing for the 2026 Aer Lingus Classic
4/21/2026 11:36:00 AM | Football
Members of the TCU Athletics staff recently spent three days in Ireland. This is the third in a three-part series on things they experienced in and around Dublin in advance of the 2026 Aer Lingus Classic against North Carolina, scheduled for Aug. 29, 2026. Travel and hospitality packages are available at Frogs2Ireland.com.
College to College: Trinity College Dublin
Ireland's oldest university is in the center of Dublin. Trinity College Dublin was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. The campus grounds are open to the public and guides offer historical walking tours with a familiar phrase to Fort Worth called Trinity Trails tours, which run seven days a week. Trinity College is home to the Book of Kells, Ireland's greatest cultural treasure. The book contains the four Gospels of the New Testament and is believed to be created in 800 AD.
Guinness Storehouse
From Ireland's most iconic university to its most iconic beer, the Guinness Storehouse is a must stop on any trip to Dublin. Tickets should be purchased in advance for the self-guided tour that takes you on a seven level journey to see the history of Guinness. Additional stops on the tour can be purchased including Guinness Academy where you learn how to pour your own pint and STOUTie, where you can get your photo on top of a Guinness.
Phoenix Park
Through an open bus tour, we sped through Phoenix Park, a 1,750 green area about a mile west of the city cetre and north of the River Liffey. The park is home to the Wellington Monument, the residence of the president of Ireland and the Dublin Zoo. The zoo opened to the public in 1831, making it the third oldest zoo in the world. Our fantastic tour guide named Mary told us that Leo the Lion, the mascot for MGM productions, was born in the Dublin Zoo in 1919.
Johnnie Fox's
Johnnie Fox's is nestled in the peaceful township of Glen Cullen and surrounded by the Dublin Mountains. There is a "Hooley Show" every night at 7:30 which includes traditional Irish musicians and the world-famous Johnnie Fox's Irish Dancers all while enjoying a four-course meal of Irish food. Shuttle service is provided from a number of Dublin hotels.
