Minister Flanagan launches Croke Park Classic Weekend

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, will this evening launch a weekend programme of sporting, business, and cultural events culminating in the Croke Park Classic American Football Game taking place on Saturday.

The Croke Park Classic will see University of Central Florida compete against Penn State University in Croke Park this Saturday. The Classic and the programme of events around the game will attract 20,000 overseas visitors to Dublin this week.

Speaking ahead of the event in Dublin Castle this evening, Minister Flanagan said:

“I would like to convey a warm welcome to the many thousands of visitors who have travelled to Dublin for the Croke Park Classic. This is perhaps no surprise as more than 2.4 million Pennsylvanians and 2.1 million Floridians claim Irish heritage.

“Dublin is buzzing with excitement and the days ahead promise something for everyone with a range of events taking place around the city.

“Sport plays a hugely important role in Irish life. In addition to the sporting links being created this week, there is also great potential to build elsewhere on the existing close ties between Ireland and the great states of Florida and Pennsylvania.

“Irish trade with these states already amounts to billions of dollars and we hope to grow this further.

“Whether your interest in Ireland is in the area of education, business or cultural connections, we have a lot to offer and I hope the events taking place this week will emphasise these possibilities.”