Balbriggan set to host live segment of the Green Bay Packers' NFL Draft
Balbriggan is set for a rare moment in the global spotlight this weekend as the north County Dublin town becomes part of the internationally watched NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers have chosen the Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) as the location for a live draft segment, bringing an Irish cultural twist to one of American football’s biggest annual events.
The three-day draft, which sees all 32 NFL teams recruit top talent from college football, attracts millions of viewers worldwide.
Saturday’s Dublin-based segment will feature a distinctly Irish flavour, with performances from singer-songwriter Gavin James alongside the IIMS Harp Ensemble, a youth group showcasing traditional music.
The initiative aims to highlight both Ireland’s growing NFL fanbase and its musical heritage.
The IIMS campus, which includes the 400-seat Lark Concert Hall, has built a reputation as a hub for emerging Irish talent.
Its involvement in the draft is seen as a significant endorsement of its international standing.
The Packers’ decision to feature Balbriggan forms part of the NFL’s Global Markets Programme, which is designed to expand the sport’s reach beyond the United States.
Irish connections will also be visible in Pittsburgh, where Wicklow native Stephen O’Brien — founder of the UK and Ireland Packers fan club — is set to announce a later-round draft pick as the team’s International Fan of the Year.
The NFL Draft continues to draw substantial global audiences, with the 2025 edition averaging 7.5 million viewers, making it the second most-watched in its history.
For Balbriggan, the exposure aligns with broader regeneration efforts under the €60m ‘Our Balbriggan’ initiative led by Fingal County Council.
Michael T Dawson, CEO of the Irish Institute of Music Song educational campus, described hosting the event as an ‘incredible’ boost for Balbriggan.
Gavin James, centre, will be performing at the event.
“This is a wonderful honour for the Irish Institute of Music Song, The Lark Concert Hall and the town of Balbriggan,” he said.
Local stakeholders say the event represents both a cultural and economic opportunity, positioning the town on a global stage well beyond its traditional reach.
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