Holy War ( Boston College vs . Notre Dame ) The Holy War is an American college football rivalry between the Boston College Eagles football team of Boston College and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team of the University of Notre Dame . The series derives its name from the fact that the Eagles and the Fighting Irish represent the only two Catholic universities in the United States which still compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association , the highest level of competition in American college football . Series history . Although football at both universities dates to the 19th century , the series itself is relatively young . Boston College and Notre Dame first met on the gridiron on September 15 , 1975 , in a game held at Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts . Since then , the two schools have met a total of 20 times , including a match - up in the 1983 Liberty Bowl in Memphis , Tennessee . An annual series was held from 1992 – 2004 and after a two - season hiatus the rivalry has resumed for the 2007 – 12 seasons and it will continue for the 2015 – 16 and 2018 – 19 seasons . Notre Dame leads the overall series 13 - 9 . The future of the series had been in question for several years after Boston College left the Big East for the ACC and the Big East asked Notre Dame to add at least three Big East schools each year to its football schedule , but on June , 8 , 2010 , it was announced that the series would continue . While the " Holy War " moniker dates to the first contest between the two schools in 1975 and has become popularized in the sports media , the rivalry has also acquired a number of other nicknames over the years . These include the " Vatican Bowl " , the " Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl " , and the " Jesuit Invitational " . Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice , a Notre Dame alumna , referenced the rivalry using the " Holy War " moniker during a 2006 commencement address at BC ' s Alumni Stadium . Notable moments . Since their first meeting in 1975 , the Fighting Irish and the Eagles have generated some memorable moments in only 32 years . The teams played each season from 1992 until 2004 . Over the course of 18 games , here are some of the more memorable ones : Trophies . The Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl is a trophy , in the form of a large cut - crystal bowl , given to the winner of the Boston College - Notre Dame football game . It is named after the legendary Frank Leahy , who was the head coach at both schools . The award is presented to the winning team at the conclusion of the game by members of the Notre Dame Club of Boston . The Ireland Trophy , created by the Notre Dame student government in 1994 , is presented annually " as a token of goodwill , camaraderie and friendly rivalry " to the winner of the game . Future had been in question . On November 2 , 2005 , Notre Dame announced that because it had agreed to a request from the Big East to play teams from that conference each season , it would suspend the Boston College series following the 2010 season . Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese said the conference made the request after Boston College , Miami , and Virginia Tech withdrew from the Big East to join the Atlantic Coast Conference . However , on February 6 , 2007 , BC Director of Athletics Gene DeFilippo stated “ The Notre Dame contract calls for two games at Notre Dame , in 2007 and 2009 , and two games in Boston , in 2008 and 2010 . We have been in discussions with Notre Dame concerning additional games and I am very hopeful that we will be able to announce something in the near future . ” ESPN commentators during the 2008 game suggested that the two universities were trying to find a way to renew the rivalry after 2010 . On June 8 , 2010 , the Boston Herald quoted Boston College Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo stating " “ Jack Swarbrick and I agreed that since Boston College and Notre Dame are the only Catholic institutions that play Division 1 - A football , we should continue to play each other over a period of years . " Boston College is scheduled to host the Fighting Irish at Alumni Stadium in 2012 , 2015 and 2019 . The Eagles will travel to South Bend , Indiana , to play Notre Dame in 2016 and 2018 .