PITTSBURGH \u2014 There are strong ties between Pittsburgh and Ireland. <\/p>\n
From banking and pharma to tech and sports, not to mention American-Irish heritage, there was a demand to connect the two countries. That\u2019s why Aer Lingus chose to add a direct flight from Pittsburgh to Dublin. The announcement was made in December that direct flights would head to Dublin on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. <\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose for us, it really made sense,\u201d Lisa Melarkey, the Director of Marketing for Aer Lingus said. \u201cIt was a really natural fit.\u201d <\/p>\n
Lisa Melarkey visited the Channel 11 studio ahead of the Pittsburgh St. Patrick\u2019s Day Parade. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is plenty of demand, there are plenty of business links, there\u2019s plenty of opportunity for tourism,\u201d Melarkey added. \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be a real winner for both.\u201d <\/p>\n
We also can\u2019t forget Dublin turning black and gold this past September for the Steelers, Vikings football game. Now it\u2019s college football\u2019s turn.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2027, we will be taking the Pitt Panthers to Dublin for the American College Football in August of next year so we\u2019re really excited,\u201d Melarkey said. <\/p>\n
Aer Lingus says it\u2019s ready for the inaugural flight from Pittsburgh to Dublin, which takes off on Memorial Day, May 25th. It just happens to be the airline\u2019s 90th birthday. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re coming in May, but we\u2019re here in advance and we\u2019re really, really excited for everyone to see the brand and see what our Irish hospitality means on the ground in Pittsburgh,\u201d Melarkey added. <\/p>\n
The nonstop flight to Dublin is also a gateway to 30 destinations in Europe, including Barcelona, Paris, Madrid, and Amsterdam. <\/p>\n
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