OT: Huge Dilemma

[formerlurker]

This past Tuesday my brother in-law invited me on a 5-day golf trip to Ireland for his 40th birthday. 4-days of golf, 36 holes a day, in Ireland!!! I accepted immediately.

Yesterday, my buddy and I were golfing and I started to brag. He asked the dates I was going and I told him September 16th-21st. He crushed me when reminding me that the Michigan game is the 21st.

The start time of the game isn't decided yet but does anyone know when I would need to take a direct flight from Ireland to JFK in order to make a noon kickoff at The Rent? I'm assuming I'll need to leave a day early?

 

[SubbaBub]

Dublin is 5 hours ahead. It is about a 7-8 hour flight, allow 3 hrs to get from plane to Rent. Need wheels up at or before 6 am Dublin time on Saturday.

 

[FDNY99]

And you need to hope you an fly through customs and hit ZERO traffic heading north! My advice to you pay the extra money to get your passport preapproved to make getting through customs quicker!

 

[formerlurker]

Thanks for the advice Bub and 99. How do I get my passport pre-approved, at the Post Office? Does it allow me to skip the lines at customs when re-entering The States?

 

[Kgun7]

I am a huge UCONN diehard ... but ... you can DVR a UCONN football game ... you can't DVR a 40th birthday party golfing in Ireland! Besides ... you'll need a few days of recovery when you get back ...

 

[ZooCougar]

Dublin is 5 hours ahead. It is about a 7-8 hour flight, allow 3 hrs to get from plane to Rent. Need wheels up at or before 6 am Dublin time on Saturday.

This.

I used to catch the 0810 United Flight out of Frankfurt, Germany to Chicago and I seem to remember getting through customs by 1100 am Chicago time.

 

[ZooCougar]

Thanks for the advice Bub and 99. How do I get my passport pre-approved, at the Post Office? Does it allow me to skip the lines at customs when re-entering The States?

This is what you want.

http://www.globalentry.gov/

 

[formerlurker]

I am a huge UCONN diehard ... but ... you can DVR a UCONN football game ... you can't DVR a 40th birthday party golfing in Ireland! Besides ... you'll need a few days of recovery when you get back ...

I feel ya, KGun. Don't think that reasoning hasn't crossed my mind. But when I started buying season tickets 12 years ago I dreamed of big-time home games at The Rent. For years I thought the Tennessee game would be the first one, Michigan has taken it to a whole different level.

If push comes to shove, the opportunity to spend 5 days golfing overseas with my brother in-law, my brother and 5 other friends will trump the game but I want to exhaust all my options to make both a reality. If I can make it work logistically I could care less if I'm ting Guinness and peeing corned-beef, I'll be in my seat by kickoff.

 

[formerlurker]

This is what you want.

http://www.globalentry.gov/[/quote]

Thanks, Zoo.

 

[SubbaBub]

You've stumbled upon my other weird hobby travel planning, posting here is the first. Looks like leaving early saturday and getting to JFK by 9am isn't easily doable. I'd look at flying out Sunday night and returning on the non-stop at around 3pm Friday landing at JFK at 6pm Friday night. It's also the cheapest flight listed on Kayak.

Depart Sun, Sep 15 JFK to DUB – nonstop 6h 40m

• This flight leaves on Sunday and arrives on Monday.

Aer Lingus – Flight 108 6h 40m
Take-off Sun 9:15p JFK New York, NY
Landing Mon 8:55a DUB Dublin, Ireland
Airbus A330 (Wide-body Jet) | 6h 40m
Return Fri, Sep 20 DUB to JFK – nonstop 7h 30m

Aer Lingus – Flight 109 7h 30m
Take-off Fri 3:30p DUB Dublin, Ireland
Landing Fri 6:00p JFK New York, NY
Airbus A330 (Wide-body Jet) | 7h 30m

 

[formerlurker]

Thanks for the legwork, Bub. What's really screwing up my planning is the mystery start time. I don't think an 8pm start is an option but if we get the late afternoon slot I might have a chance.

 

[fgbrault]

The USA has people at the airports in Ireland and you clear passport control before you board the plane for JFK. At JFK you only have to clear Customs.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Shannon may be more convenient than Dublin, and cut down a little flight time. Either way, your first Saturday morning flight probably won't depart until about 9:00 am. Another idea, Logan's a little closer than JFK to The Rent and the Mass Pike and 84 may trump various options from JFK. Both Shannon and Boston may cost a bit more, but you're focused on solutions.

Your opportunity for the Michigan game reminds me of my 24 hour, door-to-door flight, train, bus adventure for UConn's defeat of Notre Dame in South Bend. No regrets! Waste no more time debating with yourself, just get your Guinness crapp1ng arse to The Rent!

 

[Kgun7]

Gotta love the power of the 'yard ... You've got problems we'll find solutions!

 

[geordi]

Why not fly into Boston? There are direct flights from Shannon and Dublin and it's closer to Hartford.

 

[formerlurker]

Thanks everyone. We're definitely flying into Shannon but I never considered Logan as Im in Fairfield County. It's a great idea though and worth the extra cash.

 

[Dooley]

Personal disclosure: I am no golfer, don't watch golf, don't play golf and don't play mini golf so, to me, this is an easy decision. Michigan won't come back to the Rent unless we are invited to the B1G. Go out a day early so you can come home a day early. That gives you ample time to sight see and golf and see everyone while getting you back into your seat for the BIGGEST GAME IN OUR STADIUM'S HISTORY!! Please do not miss this game. We need all Boneyarders there and loud (and if you run into a Michigan fan, to sing the praises of our school and program)! We all know if our tickets wind up on StubHub, they are going to be bought up by a Michigan fan. Let's go Dahgs!!!!

(Have fun in Ireland...that trip does sound like a great time!!)

 

[junglehusky]

Gotta love the power of the 'yard ... You've got problems we'll find solutions!

Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it...

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Thanks everyone. We're definitely flying into Shannon but I never considered Logan as Im in Fairfield County. It's a great idea though and worth the extra cash.

Departure: Drive to Framingham, hop on the Logan Express bus. Or, Amtrak from Fairfield Cty to Boston's South Station, catch the Silver Line or a quick taxi over to Logan. Upon return, either return to Framingham, grab your car, or rent a car at Logan and later dump it in Fairfield Cty; or, pre-arrange for a Boneyarder to bring you to The Rent. You'll be at the game.

 

[UConnDan97]

Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it...

This thread was chock full of crazyness! From people recommending golf over a live UConn-Michigan game due to DVR capability to references for Vanilla Ice songs; and both made me laugh out loud!!!

 

[Chin Diesel]

This past Tuesday my brother in-law invited me on a 5-day golf trip to Ireland for his 40th birthday. 4-days of golf, 36 holes a day, in Ireland!!! I accepted immediately.

Yesterday, my buddy and I were golfing and I started to brag. He asked the dates I was going and I told him September 16th-21st. He crushed me when reminding me that the Michigan game is the 21st.

The start time of the game isn't decided yet but does anyone know when I would need to take a direct flight from Ireland to JFK in order to make a noon kickoff at The Rent? I'm assuming I'll need to leave a day early?

Its easy. Do the golf trip. Enjoy the replay of the game when you get back to the states. Enjoy it. Great gift.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Its easy. Do the golf trip. Enjoy the replay of the game when you get back to the states. Enjoy it. Great gift.

I thought I was the only one. It's an absolute no brainer if you are into golf. Go to Ireland for God's sake. Once in a lifetime.

I admire your passion for UConn football but come on now. You aren't cutting that trip a day short. If you can get to the Rent without sacrificing a day of the trip all the power to you.

 

[Kingspoint]

Gotta love the power of the 'yard ... You've got problems we'll find solutions!

That's funny...I was beginning to think the BY was a place if you had solutions we'll make up a problem.

 

[Kgun7]

This thread was chock full of crazyness! From people recommending golf over a live UConn-Michigan game due to DVR capability to references for Vanilla Ice songs; and both made me laugh out loud!!!

You're right Dan ... what the hell was I thinking???

Lurker - Tell your brother-in-law you'll go to his 40th birthday golf outing to Ireland next year ... but only if he schedules his birthday during the UCONN football off season. Where are your priorities???

 

[CAHUSKY]

You won't regret missing the Michigan game form more than 30 seconds. You will never forgive yourself if you pass up a golf trip to Ireland. If its anything like ours, it will be one of the best things you ever do. What courses are you playing? We played 8 of 12 days back in 2003 and it was awesome. Royal County Down, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Old Head, Rosscommon, Waterford, county Sligo and some muni type course the day we arrived. If you're of Irish descent the trip will be even better. Truly one of the highlights of my life and I've lived all over the world. Not much tops an Irish golf trip wit friens and family.