Randy Peterson
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July 28, 2025
Here’s a thought for fans not going to Ireland for Iowa State’s and Kansas State’s Farmageddon football game:
Celebrate your favorite team while patronizing your favorite local Irish restaurant/pub on Aug. 23. Enjoy the game from there – while washing down your corned beef and cabbage (or even just a burger and fries) with a few Irish Mules, and then some Irish coffee to ease whatever coffee (with a shot of 80-proof Irish whiskey and cream) eases?
A friend, let’s just call him Jon, suggested that recently. And you Iowa State fans, in particular, probably have experienced this too, either as a college student, or a simply a fan of a good ol’ time at the local pub . . .
Too.
It’s nearly in the shadows of Jack Trice Stadium, and within walking distance to the home of Matt Campbell’s Cyclones. It’s Ames’ Dublin Bay Irish Pub and Grill, of course, where owner Don O’Brien promises to show you a good time – and the game, which starts at 11 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of August.
For sure, the last thing O’Brien thought about when going in on the purchase of the Dublin Bay 20 or so years ago, was someday hosting one of the biggest Cyclones watch parties this side of the real Dublin.
Irish-themed with the city’s name just happening to be part of the pub’s name. Irish owner. Favorite college football team. One of the biggest games Iowa State will ever play?
“Almost mirror images,” O’Brien told me recently. “Same kind of programs. Hard-nosed, great work ethic, true to their school. All the good things college is supposed to be. Like the Irish – we’re very true.
“It really doesn’t get any better than this.”
And did I mention that the game falls on one of the Iowa State campus’ most celebratory days (other than the day finals are over?)
That’d be Iowa State’s ever-popular annual 8:01 Day, when the prohibition on alcohol at the school’s fraternities and sororities is lifted. Not only do students party with friends they haven’t seen since the previous spring, they’re joined by locals and not-so-locals.
This year, 801 Day just happens to include a football game of major significance, yet 4,000 miles from campus.
“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,” O’Brien said. “Our clientele is a little older than most of the students, but come in and we’ll take care of you – as long as you’re 21.”
O’Brien said there will be the usual indoor and patio seating. He’s gone back-and-forth on a large tent. There will be in-game specials and traditional Irish breakfast options. Large televisions will be inside and out.
It will be St. Patrick’s Day all over again, and yes, that annual celebration has aligned with March Madness, of which Iowa State men’s and women’s basketball are regular participants.
“We’ve been told by our distributors that we sell more Guinness than anybody in the state of Iowa,” said O’Brien, who said he’ll order between 6 and 8 kegs for the unique Farmageddon experience.
“We’ll have some fun.”
(Columnist Randy Peterson, a multiple State of Iowa Sportswriter of the Year winner, can be reached at randypete4846@gmail.com or at any Okoboji-area beverage/food establishment between the hours of open and close.)