Irish Journalists Explore Pittsburgh

In order to celebrate the brand-new Aer Lingus route between Dublin and Pittsburgh, our region recently welcomed a group of Irish journalists to experience Pittsburgh culture and cuisine firsthand.

Between Friday, May 29, and Monday, June 1, five members of the Irish media explored the city during some delightfully sun-soaked days. The Joinery Hotel served as their downtown homebase during the stay. The itinerary showcased some tried-and-true favorites as well as newer additions to the scene.

Alex Kenzakoski, Director, Communications at VisitPITTSBURGH, explained that with any media they host, the overall goal is to offer an authentic experience in the city — to show what Pittsburgh is really about.

“Over the past few years, our focus has shifted to incredibly curated experiences dependent on audience interests while also leaning into showcasing Pittsburgh as a city that is constantly building on its foundations without forgetting its roots,” she said.

For this trip promoting the new Aer Lingus route, they wanted to ensure that the trip felt “vibrant, walkable and full of surprises,” which Kenzakoski believes they achieved. “Our new Irish friends must’ve brought some luck with them,” she said, “because the weather was really on our side for this trip. It turned out to be a beautiful few days in the city.”

Irish Impressions

Lauren Kelly, the Lifestyle Editor at The Irish Sun, had been to the U.S. before but never to Pittsburgh. She had no real expectations and hadn’t looked up anything about the destination beforehand like she typically does.

“I wanted to experience the city for myself,” she said.

Geoff McGrath of the Daily Mail said this also was the first trip he’d taken where he wanted to experience the place without having done prior research. Yet coming into this visit, he was aware of Pittsburgh’s industrial past. He’d been to New York on two occasions, but never here.

So what were their takeaways?

“I found the people to be really friendly, and the streets were immaculate,” Kelly said. “Every neighborhood we visited had a different vibe, which I loved.” For her, big highlights were a Pittsburgh Pirates-Minnesota Twins baseball game and an Acrisure Stadium tour, calling both “excellent” activities.

Kenzakoski said their international visitors also always rave about their time at PNC Park. “There’s always someone that has never experienced baseball, and it ended up being the first game for this entire group,” she said. “Not only did the Pirates step up to the plate, but the family-friendly focus of Sunday’s game paired with perfect weather and some time to explore ChalkFest beforehand made for an incredible first-time experience.”

McGrath loved the art museums they visited, including the Carnegie, where the group got to wander through the 59th Carnegie International (on display through Jan. 3, 2027). “I was really looking forward to visiting the Andy Warhol museum,” he added, “and it didn’t disappoint.”

Kelly was most surprised by the size of the city. “I knew it had the nickname ‘City of Bridges,’” she said, “but I didn’t realize it had 144 of them!  It was also a lot greener than I had expected, which was immediately apparent when flying into the airport.”

McGrath wasn’t expecting such a beautiful city either. “The architecture is stunning,” he said. “The people are incredibly friendly too. When a server asks you how you are in a restaurant, they actually seem interested to know the answer.”

The journalists experienced glassblowing at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, explored the Strip District and Heinz History Center and toured the new Pittsburgh International Airport.

Breaking Bread Together

Kenzakoski says they always take first-time visitors to Primanti Bros., as well as on a Burgh Bits & Bites tour since it helps to showcase an array of culinary options. “Plus, Sylvia’s tours also allow us to explore a neighborhood in a unique way,” she said, “in this case Lawrenceville, which we might not have been able to fit in otherwise.”

On this trip they also savored breakfast at Pamela’s, lunch at Coughlin’s Law, dinner at Ritual House, among other eateries including Waffles INCaffeinated and Sally Ann’s. It seems all of the Irish visitors particularly enjoyed a candlelit meal at Apteka. “Even though I’m not a vegan,” Kelly says, “I loved tasting all the unique Eastern European foods on the menu. We don’t have many restaurants quite like that one in Ireland.”

McGrath also commented on Apteka’s “incredible” food. “Even committed carnivores who I went with and who normally would not eat plant-based meals were incredibly impressed,” he said. “As a vegetarian, it was one of the best vegetarian or vegan restaurants that I have been to in all the countries I have visited.”

Kenzakoski thinks Apteka is the perfect example of how Pittsburgh honors its roots while pushing boundaries. “[Co-owner/co-chef] Kate Lasky was so lovely to work with,” she said. “She was incredibly enthusiastic about the new international route and went out of her way to interact with our guests, which I know will result in the feature coverage that the restaurant deserves.”

Lasky and partner Tomasz Skowronski are always excited to support Pittsburgh’s connections to the rest of the world. “The new-ish direct flights to (Europe) really connect us to amazing places and hubs,” she said. “Not to mention, we really love Ireland.”

Lasky was honored that Apteka was a stop on the guests’ very packed tour. “We have deep Pittsburgh roots and a lot of love for the city,” Lasky said, “and we feel really proud to occasionally be a part of the welcoming committee.”

McGrath admitted to being surprised by Pittsburgh’s overall quality of food. “I didn’t have a bad meal during my whole time there,” he said.

Acrisure Stadium Adventures

The itinerary included visits to popular attractions ranging from the Duquesne Incline and Heinz History Center to brand-new Arts Landing. Acrisure Stadium seemed an obvious stop on the list, too, since the Steelers have such deep ties to Ireland and were huge supporters of getting the new flight route off the ground, according to Kenzakoski.

“Not only was this a proof point that our relationship with the Steelers will thrive well beyond the Draft, but it was a celebration of a true, cross-continental friendship,” Kenzakoski said.

Dan Rooney, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, Pittsburgh Steelers, says they were delighted to welcome the group for a tour of the Steelers Hall of Honor Museum and a behind-the-scenes look at the Steelers home, including visits to the Terrible Towel Wall (“a 200-square-foot tribute to one of the most iconic symbols in all of sports”), the FedEx Great Hall and the Steelers locker room. “The group had the opportunity to walk the same route Steelers players take on game day,” Rooney shared, “moving from the locker room through the tunnel and emerging into the stadium bowl on the field.”

Rooney said it was a natural fit for the Steelers to be a part of celebrating the new service between Pittsburgh and Dublin — two places that hold special significance for the Rooney family and the Steelers organization. “For generations, we have cared deeply about the success and vitality of both communities,” he said. “This new route marks an exciting chapter, creating a direct connection between Pittsburgh and Dublin and opening opportunities for tourism, business investment and cultural exchange on both sides of the Atlantic.”

“For the Steelers, the service will help deepen and strengthen the relationships we have been building across the island of Ireland, while making it easier for Irish visitors, business leaders and investors to experience firsthand all that Pittsburgh has to offer.”

One of the museum spaces the team was most proud to showcase was the re-creation of Rooney’s great-grandfather’s and grandfather’s – The Chief and Dan Rooney’s – offices. “The exhibit gives visitors a glimpse of family history and, for this group especially, it gave insights into our ties to Ireland and the legacy of my grandfather, Dan Rooney, whose work co-founding The Ireland Funds and serving as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland helped strengthen the connection between Ireland and Pittsburgh.”

Rooney said it’s always special to share their story with visitors from other cities and countries because, in many ways, the Steelers story is Pittsburgh’s story. “In Pittsburgh, football is part of our region’s identity, and the Steelers reflect the grit, resilience, loyalty and passion that define the area,” he said. “So, when we welcome visitors to learn about the Steelers, we’re also introducing them to Pittsburgh. And if our story resonates with visitors, we are always grateful to welcome them to be a part of Steelers Nation.”

Making Lasting Connections

Kenzakoski says the Irish guests came into the trip really excited about experiencing Pittsburgh firsthand, and they were incredibly engaged throughout the entire trip. Still, they were pleasantly surprised about many discoveries, including the city’s approachability.

“I overheard commentary on walkability as well as how friendly people were,” she said. “This is something we consistently hear from visitors, whether we’re hosting someone from New York or Los Angeles or from all the way across the Atlantic.”

Now Kelly and her Irish colleagues hope Pittsburghers will visit their home across the Atlantic via the new Aer Lingus route, so that the hospitality can be reciprocated.

“I definitely think Pittsburghers should hop across the pond to Ireland,” she said. “The flight is only six-and-a-half-hours long, so after a few episodes of “The Pitt,” you’ll be there in no time!”