Polar Bear fans and football enthusiasts, get ready for another epic chapter in Ohio Northern University’s international journey. The Polar Bears are teaming up once again with Global Football for an unforgettable tour of Ireland this May 2026. After successful previous trips across the pond that combined world-class competition with unforgettable cultural experiences, ONU is back and ready to make new memories in the Emerald Isle.
The Polar Bears will depart Cleveland on Monday, May 18 touching down in Dublin the following morning. From there, the adventure kicks off in style with a bus transfer to Killarney, a guided tour of the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens, and a visit to the historic Rock of Cashel before checking into the their quality accommodations. Wednesday brings a full day exploring the stunning Dingle Peninsula, including a boat tour, free time in town, and a memorable Dingle Sheep Farm Experience. Thursday features the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and King John’s Castle, followed by an overnight in Limerick. Friday includes a ferry to the breathtaking Aran Islands (Inis Mór) for a full day of exploration, while Saturday sees the group heading back to Dublin for Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, and an overnight at Camden Court Hotel.
The highlight of the trip lands on Sunday, May 24 in Balbriggan! The Ohio Northern Polar Bears will take the field against the Louth Mavericks at Balbriggan RFC with kickoff set for 3:00 PM. Based in Dundalk, County Louth, and founded in 2012, the Mavericks are one of Ireland’s premier American football clubs, competing in the Shamrock Division. Led by Coach Ty Henry, they’ve built a strong reputation for competitive play and passionate community involvement. This exhibition matchup was made possible in part through the collaborative efforts of Global Football and Ty Henry — bringing together collegiate talent from Ohio with Ireland’s club talent for a truly special transatlantic showdown.
Don’t miss a single snap — the game will be livestreamed live on YouTube here:
ONU Polar Bears vs. Louth Mavericks
After the game, the team will enjoy free time in Dublin before a farewell dinner and show at Taylor’s Three Rock on Monday, May 25, followed by departure on Tuesday, May 26.
This isn’t just a trip — it’s a full cultural immersion wrapped around competitive football. From ancient castles and dramatic coastlines to fantastic tastings and live Irish entertainment, Global Football designs every itinerary to give student-athletes memories that last a lifetime while keeping the focus on performance and team bonding.
Ohio Northern knows this firsthand from previous successful tours, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the Polar Bears back for another incredible journey.
Ready to take your program abroad? Whether you’re a high school, college, or club team, Global Football specializes in creating custom international football experiences that combine elite competition with unforgettable travel. Contact us today at globalfootball.com to start planning your team’s next adventure!
Polar Bears — we’ll see you in Ireland! 🐻🇮🇪
@Coach0z or @globalsportsguy on X/Twitter
