Pat Mulligan: An Irish fan like no other

There are Notre Dame fans and there are Notre Dame fanatics - those people who not only cheer for the Irish, but live for them. That's how you might describe Pat Mulligan, owner of Mulligan's Bar and Grill.

The bar is just steps away from Notre Dame's campus on Angela and State Road 23.

Pat's love for the Irish isn't limited to game day. It's every day.

A few years ago we introduced you to Pat as he made his daily pilgrimage to Knute Rockne's grave.

Pat's love of the Irish may seem a little extreme to some.

"Sometimes it's a little crazy, I don't mind telling you. The grass gets me a little upset, I got to be honest there," said Sue Mulligan, Pat's wife.

Pat and Sue grew up together in upstate New York.

Over time their friendship turned into love and marriage. Sue learned saying 'I love you' also meant saying 'Love thee Notre Dame.'

After retiring in Florida, the two traded in their beach chairs for bleacher seats and moved to South Bend.

"You can't see our Lady from St. Pete Beach. This is where I'm destined to be," Pat said.

"He said, 'You won't know until you come here and then you'll understand.' And you know what? I got to tell you, I get it. I get it," Sue said.

Pat's father John owned Mulligan's Bar in New York and Pat followed in his dad's footsteps when he opened his own bar.

Mulligans is located at Angela and State Road 23, just down the street from Notre Dame Stadium where John took Pat to games and instilled his passion for the Irish.

John passed away in 2014 at 85 years old - but still never misses a game.

"I have my dad here with me. I take him to all the games since he passed, he was my best friend, here is his urn with his ashes," said

Pat takes his dad with him to every game and even buys him an extra seat in the stadium.

"I'm hearing the music right now, 'Here Come the Irish' that's what it's about. That's what it's about, to experience that, so I loved him very much and he was a huge inspiration in my life and that's why he still comes with me to the games," Pat said.

Together they bring a little Irish history with them.

"That's grass from Rockne's grave. I go to Rockne's grave every day when I'm at home. This is the house that Rockne built and he deserves to be on the field," said Pat.

Pat makes himself at home in the stadium.

Whether the Irish win or lose, Pat's passion never wavers.

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