Can't miss places to visit for FSU, local football fans going to Ireland in August

Tallahassee and Dublin, Ireland are 4,000 miles apart.

Yet for the past year, the two distant cities have been connected by one thing, more specifically, one week in late August.

The connection stems from two football programs, Florida State University and Maclay School, as both Tallahassee programs will play football games in Dublin.

The Seminoles headline the weekend with its Saturday kickoff against Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus Kickoff Classic Aug 24, while the Marauders play Friday afternoon along with other United States high schools.

With Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell visiting Dublin this week and looking at all that it has to offer and St. Patrick's Day Sunday, let's take a look at some of the best things to do in Ireland's capital for those traveling from the Big Bend to the Emerald Isle.

Things to see

Tour the historic Trinity College

One of the world's oldest institutions, Trinity College is filled with things to explore.

With a campus located in downtown Dublin, the college is free to visit, including the school's historic library that showcases classic Gothic architecture and houses thousands of books, including the historic Book of Kells.

While pay tours that give a more detailed look at the college are available, Trinity College can be explored mostly for free. One of Dublin's most iconic venues, be sure to add Trinity College to your list of things to do when visiting Ireland.

Visit one of the many downtown museums

Dublin houses many museums that range from documenting history to exploring art and more.

One of the most popular visits and a recent stop for Norvell is the EPIC Museum. The museum explores the Irish emigration experience and how it impacted not only the country but also the places that Irish people went to in their travels away from home.

If art is more your style, Dublin houses multiple art museums that all give a different look at what artistry has to offer. For history buffs, the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts and History is your pick, if painting is more your style check out the National Gallery of Ireland. If you want a modern take, visit the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

History is intertwined with the city of Dublin, and there is plenty of museums to showcase that. From Dublina, a look at Viking exploration and medieval Dublin, to the National Museum of Ireland, there is plenty to learn throughout Dublin.

While these are some of the headlines, there are plenty of museums around the city.

Stop by Moore Street

Located near the center of Dublin, Moore Street is one of the city's best places for shopping. From the weekly market that features hundreds of vendors to the everyday stores located on Moore Street, the street is a more relaxed and reserved way to enjoy the city of Dublin.

Explore St. Patrick's Cathedral

One of the most historic landmarks in all of Ireland, St. Patrick's Cathedral is located in central Dublin and will be walkable from most hotels in the area. It is the national cathedral of Ireland and is the location where Saint Patrick preached. Worth the price of admission for its architecture alone, St. Patrick's Cathedral is a must-visit according to Norvell.

Experience playing Irish sports

What's a list of things to do in Dublin without sports?

Obviously, the football games will be the focus for visitors, but a trip to Experience Gaelic Games in Dublin will introduce visitors to the national sport of Ireland, hurling, and an Irish favorite in Gaelic football. The experience will allow you to play the sports for three hours and professional trainers will teach visitors how to play through drills and a smaller version of the game.

The two sports are rich in history and take the national spotlight in Ireland. Take a visit to Croke Park to see the host for the All-Ireland tournament finals for the pair of sports.

Just walk around

There is plenty to experience in Dublin, and some of the best things to see or visit often can't be listed. The city is filled with different stores, restaurants, museums and experiences, so sometimes the best thing to do is just to walk around and explore.

From the iconic red exterior of the Temple Bar to the many restaurants and shops that line the streets or even a trip to St. Stephens Green, a walk around the city will provide plenty of opportunity to enjoy what Dublin has to offer before the big games.

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Places FSU, local football fans need to visit in Ireland this August