August 2023 – This August sees old rivals The University of Notre Dame and The U.S. Naval Academy face-off at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium for the 2023 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. To mark this highly anticipated event, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum will host a temporary exhibition titled ‘Closer Than You Think’, which will explore the strong ties that exist between Ireland and Notre Dame, as well as Ireland and the US Navy.
The University of Notre Dame has long-standing connections to Ireland, with many past University presidents being of Irish descent. Four of the religious brothers who worked with Fr Edward Sorin to establish the Indiana university in 1842 had Irish heritage. Notre Dame has also played host to notable figures in Ireland’s history, with Eamon de Valera visiting the campus in 1919 and planting a “Tree of Liberty”.
US naval records are also replete with Irish names, from as far back as the American war of Independence. The ‘Closer Than You Think’ exhibition will shine a light on the Irish who helped establish these two institutions – and the Irish connections that endure to this day.
“This exhibition will help to showcase the legacy and strength of the relationship between Ireland and these two great institutions. A world record is to be set for the largest number of Americans to travel internationally for a single sporting event. We are delighted to add this temporary exhibition to extend a warm welcome to all the fans that will visit EPIC to get a deeper understanding of what it means to be Irish during this time” stated Aileesh Carew, CEO, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Through a series of carefully curated captivating images and archives, visitors will get a true sense of the contributions and monumental impact that Irish people have made in Indiana, across the USA and throughout the US Navy.
“Irish emigrants and their descendants, the Irish diaspora, have played, and continue to play, crucial roles in shaping and sustaining both the University of Notre Dame and the United States Navy, right back to their respective foundations. As a museum dedicated to collecting, preserving, and disseminating the stories of the Irish people throughout the world, we are proud to share some of the most remarkable Irish ties to both Notre Dame and Navy, within this special exhibition, with our visitors.” said Nathan Mannion, Head of Exhibitions & Programmes, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
‘Closer Than You Think’ exhibition will run at EPIC from 8th August – 31st August 2023. Visit www.epicchq.com to find out more about the exhibition.
