Ireland

Officially known as the Republic of Ireland, Ireland draws in millions of visitors each year to see it’s castles, historic ruins, scenic towns, lush landscape, rugged coast lines, annual festivals and, if you are lucky, a leprechaun or two. The Emerald Isle’s abundant annual rainfall creates green grasslands populated with multitudes of sheep, Ireland’s unofficial national symbol. It’s a country full of folklore ranging from tales of leprechauns with pots of gold to Saint Patrick, who rid the island of snakes and is celebrated every March 17th across the world. The Irish coast with its soaring cliffs and crashing waves offers scenic views and vista, but it’s the warm and welcoming Irish people with their sense of mischief and devilment that make Ireland a great place to visit. And we will be doing just that this June!

We will be playing all our games at the International Baseball Centre, the home of the Ashbourne Baseball Club. Opened in 2015, the IBC is the finest baseball facility in Ireland and Ireland’s only international standard baseball diamond.  The IBC is the host field for the International Baseball Festival, an annual international baseball tournament.

Sound interesting? Then here's your chance! Plans have been finalized for our baseball road trip to Ireland, so now is the time to gear up if you wish to join us. Offering extensive sightseeing and baseball camaraderie, we are now signing up players for this exciting trip, so don't miss out.

   Interested in joining us? Well the requirements are simple.  First, the ability and desire to play baseball in a unique international setting.  Second, an interest in international goodwill and sportsmanship (e.g. if you swing the bat at the ump after a called strike three, please try fantasy baseball).  Third, an adventurous spirit willing to venture forth into the historic and picturesque Emerald Isle.

What’s involved in this once in a lifetime opportunity? First, you will depart America on June 11th and arrive in Dublin the next day where you'll transfer by cab to our lodgings at the Castle Hotel. This elegant Georgian hotel in Dublin city center is just 2 minutes' walk from O' Connell Street and very close to Temple Bar. It offers rooms with en suite bathrooms, a restaurant/bar with evening entertainment, and free Wi-Fi. After a night of rest, we will begin our baseball exploits playing four games at International Baseball Center, the home of the Ashbourne Baseball Club.   

By now you are probably asking yourself how you could be so lucky to have the opportunity of a lifetime and play baseball in Ireland? Well, it’s time to come back to earth as every dream has its price, but this one’s reasonable. Though Ireland is a high cost country, we have been able to organize a reasonably priced baseball road trip. The cost for each player in a double room is $3195 and the cost for a tourist in a double room is $3095.  Single rooms are $3695 for a player and $3595 for a tourist.   Final payment is due March 30th after which time no refunds will be given.

What's included in this price? A whole lot on this trip including:

• Hotels with breakfast,

• All baseball games, umpires and fields,

• Bus transportation to and from the fields,

• Commemorative Polo Shirt,

• Trim Castle in Meath,

• Kilkenny Castle,

• Candice Cathedral,

• The Medieval Mile,

• Trinity University,

• Viewing of the Book of Kells,

• The Titanic Experience,

• Crumlin Road Gaolwith, and

• Farewell dinner.

What isn’t included in this wonderful invitation? First, you are free to choose your own airline to travel roundtrip to Dublin as no international airfare is included in the above prices. It’s also now safe to buy plane tickets. Second, you must get your own passport if you do not already have one or if yours has expired. Note that your passport must be valid for 6 months after our trip and have at least two blank pages. Third, each player must bring 6 new leather game baseballs and 1 used practice ball. Finally, each player will be responsible for bringing their own Foreign Devils uniform, gray uniform pants, metal or wooden bat, batting helmet, and glove. If you don't own a Foreign Devils uniform (a jersey and cap), they are available for purchase thru the website. Finally, American citizens must obey any international Covid requirements leveed by the host country (if any). So now is the time to sign up if you don't wish to be left out.
Please note that travel insurance is not included in our trip, but it is recommended that you consider purchasing travel insurance in case you have a last minute medical or personal problem arise as there are no refunds. Most will cover international travel insurance, emergency medical care, medical evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage/personal item loss and delay, and 24/7 worldwide assistance. Travel insurance companies used by our players in the past include Insure My Trip, Medex Protects, Quote Wright, and Square Mouth. If you decide to purchase travel insurance rather than self-insure, please make sure it covers international travel as not all will.

Our Tentative Schedule

June 11th Tuesday - Leave the USA on the airline of your choosing.

June 12th Wednesday – Arrive in Dublin and check into the Castle Hotel in downtown. A free day to explore the city!

June 13th Thursday – Visit to Kilenny for a self-guided tour of Kilkenny Castle and St Canice cathedral while walking the Medieval Mile. Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than Kilkenny Castle that was founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland. St Canice’s Cathedral has been an important site of Christian worship since the 6th Century.

June 14th Friday –  A visit to Meath to see Trim Castle, the historic site where Braveheart was filmed. The castle is the largest Anglo-Norman fortification in Ireland.  The central fortification is a monumental three-story keep. This massive 20-sided tower, which is cruciform in shape, was all but impregnable in its day as it was protected by a ditch, curtain wall and water-filled moat. Then on to Game #1.

 June 15th Saturday – Doubleheader (Games 2 and 3) in Ashbourne at the International Baseball Center

June 16th Sunday – A day in Dublin starting with a guided tour of Trinity University, home of the Book of Kells.  A visit to see the Old Library, the Book of Kells, the Long Room, Gaia, the Secret Life of the Collections and the Book of Kells 360 (an extraordinary immersive voyage in light and sound of the ancient masterpiece’s history). A tour of Dublin Castle which has as a military fortress, a prison, a treasury and courts of law. For 700 years, from 1204 until independence, it was the seat of English (and then British) rule in Ireland. Game #4

June 17th Monday – A visit to Belfast to see the Titantic Experience through 9 interactive galleries that explore the full Titanic story. Afterwards, we are off to lunch on your own at St George’s Market. Then on to Crumlin Road Gaolwith for a guide tour exploring over 150 years of history in Northern Irelands only remaining Victorian era prison. Opened in 1846, the Gaol housed men women and children, before closing its doors in 1996. Return to Dublin for our farewell banquet.

June 18th Tuesday - Leave for the USA as international baseball stars!