The Open: How Portrush return has been five years in the making… and what NI can expect
The Open will have a positive impact for the whole of Northern Ireland, writes Aine Kearney, Director of Events, Tourism NI
I have had the privilege of working in tourism during an exceptional period of transformative growth over the last decade. There is no doubt that hosting the Open in 2019 was one of the proudest moments during that time, with record breaking numbers of attendees making it the first ever Open Championship to sell out and an experience that epitomised our 'Giant Spirit'.
The fact that it is coming back for the second time in six years is a reflection of just how successful the event was last time around. At Tourism NI we are delighted to have the opportunity to once again showcase to the world what a fabulous tourism and golfing destination Northern Ireland has become, building on the success of last year's Irish Open at Royal County Down.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
7 hours ago
- The National
Scots golfer makes Open claim about Trump Turnberry
The 61-year-old, who has 31 European tour wins to his name, made the claim in a recent interview with BBC Scotland. He said: "As a professional golfer, a professional Scottish golfer, I really hope it is [used]. "It's ranked number one in Scotland and in Britain, and rightly so. It's the best course in Scotland, and it deserves to host an Open. Read more: "And let's hope the authorities can all get together and find a way around it, and make that happen, and the sooner the better." It comes after Mark Darbon, the chief executive of the R&A, outlined his hope that Trump's course could feature on the Open rota in future. In April, the Prime Minister's official spokesman did not deny that officials had spoken to the R&A about the venue for the 2028 tournament, but insisted it was not a decision for the Government. He said: "It's clearly right and proper and usual for Government to engage with organisers of major sporting events as part of the business of government, but in terms of decisions around tournament hosting venues, that is for the relevant sporting bodies to take decisions on."
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
McIlroy Masters win inspiring Lowry to 'kick on'
Shane Lowry is hoping Rory McIlroy's career Grand Slam triumph can ignite his own quest for further major success at the 2025 US Open this who won the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, wants to draw motivation from his close friend's is aiming to capture his second major title on a course where he nearly triumphed in 2016."I have never been more jealous, or more happy, of anyone in my whole life of watching what Rory did at the Masters," said Lowry"I think it's incredible, for everyone, for him, for Irish golf, for everyone around him. It just puts fire in my belly to kick on and be better than I have been. "I only want to add one more to my name, one of these big ones, and obviously we have Portrush in a few weeks so there's an exciting summer ahead." Oakmont 'less daunting than other courses we play' Lowry and McIlroy played nine holes together on Wednesday morning to prepare for the start of the tournament on Thursday. They have been paired together for the opening two rounds at Oakmont, along with fellow European Ryder Cup player, and former US Open Champion Justin Rose."We are also practicing with each other again tomorrow so we will be sick of the sight of each other by Friday!" joked Lowry."Hopefully we can both play well and give ourselves a run at the weekend. The last few times I have played with Rory I have played pretty good. I played the first two rounds of Bayhill this year, I was well up there."I love playing with Rory, and with Justin we have a great group and everyone gets on well, but when you are out there there's not too much chit-chat - it's not much fun but it will be nice with familiar faces."Lowry's form this season has been impressive, finishing runner up twice on the PGA Tour and surging to a career best 10th place in the world ranked 12th, his US Open pedigree is also undeniable. At Oakmont in 2016, he surged to a four-shot lead entering the final round, only to stumble with a Sunday round of 76, finishing tied for second behind Dustin also tied ninth at Chambers Bay in 2015, further underlining his ability to challenge on the US Open's renowned gruelling set-ups. Oakmont has tight fairways, penal rough, and lightning-fast greens which many believe make it the world's toughest golf course and the ultimate US Open venue – but Lowry is buzzing with anticipation."It's mentally going to be very difficult," added Lowry."I think for me, on the eye, it's less daunting than other courses we play. There's not much trouble other than rough and the greens, there are not many hazards, you are not standing on many tee boxes with water hazards down the fairways or coming into greens," he explained."It's a proper US Open test and growing up wanting to play US Opens and watching US Opens on TV this is what it was. This is what a US Open is about and I always get excited coming to these venues."
Sunday Post
a day ago
- Sunday Post
Travel: Portrush is Open for business as golf's big show returns
Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up The low sun casts a golden glow over the sand dunes, where pockets of perfectly manicured lawn appear like an oasis. This is Royal Portrush Golf Club on Northern Ireland's famous Causeway Coast, where the famous Open Championship is due to start in a few weeks' time. As the wind blows through the spiky Marram grass that edges the fairways, it makes a murmur that echoes like distant crowds cheering on former golfing glories. The place is a hive of activity, as work on massive grandstands, tents, marquees and parking enter their final stages ahead of the event on July 12-16. When the event was last held there in 2019, it became clear there was a lack of high-quality accommodation in the town, which is expected to welcome in excess of 250,000 people over the four days. To this end, Dunluce Lodge, a new multi-million-pound resort has been created, overlooking the fairways of the world-renowned Royal Portrush Golf Club, and is the only five-star resort on the Causeway Coast. The retreat, behind gated access, is exclusive to guests, and has 35 luxury suites. Opened at the start of April and finished to the highest standards, its decor simply oozes luxury. The suites feature everything you would expect from a lavish hotel: king-size beds, a vast living space, coffee machine, well-stocked mini-bar and an offshoot bathroom area with marble finishes throughout and underfloor heating. Although squarely aimed at the high-spending golfing community, particularly from the United States, Dunluce Lodge also offers a huge variety of things to do for accompanying family such as a putting green on-site, as well as a luxury spa. It is situated a little way outside Portrush, but within walking distance, although transport can be provided, and free transfers to nearby golf clubs is on offer. There is a lovely bar with a terrace which looks out to sea over the golf course, and an outside fire pit and outside kitchen area, so guests can relax and watch the sun setting over the Donegal coast. Needless to say, dining facilities are superb, and the menu features the best of local produce, with an emphasis on seafood caught nearby. Another multi-million-pound investment, which has just been completed, is the transformation of one of the town's principal hotels, the Adelphi. Now owned by the Marine and Lawn Group, which also owns famous golfing hotels such as Rusacks in St Andrews and the Marine hotels in Troon and North Berwick, it is another oasis of luxury. Closed for several months while the work was carried out, this town-centre hotel now has 34 unique rooms. Each bedroom boasts bespoke furniture, high-quality bedding and bedside power and USB sockets plus the usual desk, TV and minibar. The highest-quality furnishings indicate this is an establishment offering comfort and tranquility, and the food in the Red Sail dining room blends locally sourced ingredients with Italian favourites. Away from golf, the area offers a wide range of cultural and sporting activities ranging from basket weaving and glass making to surfing, paddleboarding, e-bike rides and even a portable sauna on the beach. The area is world-famous for the Giant's Causeway, a few miles away. Under the care of the National Trust since 1961, the unique mostly hexagonal basalt rocks are simply awe-inspiring. A recently built £18 million visitor centre offers an interactive exhibition, cafe and audio guides, but the causeway itself can be visited free of charge. It takes around 20 minutes, but there is a regular bus service which costs £1 each way, although National Trust members can ride for free. Along the coast is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, again a 20-minute walk from the car park and only for those with a head for heights and not scared of a bit of swaying! Nearby is the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery at Bushmills, which has been operating since 1608, and offers tours of the distilling process followed by a tasting of several of the whiskeys produced there. The area has a number of artisan small-scale food and drink producers, and one of the best ways to experience this is to take a two-hour sail along the River Bann from Coleraine on the beautifully restored MV Kingfisher, built at Harland and Wolff. With a full lunch, canapés and locally produced gin provided, there are plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting on the sail. © Christopher Hill The seven-mile-long Benone beach attracts hundreds of people who can park on the sand. Among them is a towable sauna, with access to the sea to cool down. For those who are keen on aquatic pursuits, Ricky Martin and his team at Alive Adventures offer surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding, at locations along the Causeway Coast. Ricky also offers e-bike rides along the coast, with him leading on a cargo version containing the food and drink for a picnic along the way. Elsewhere, LIR in Portrush is run by Stevie McCarry (of Great British Menu TV fame) and his wife Rebekah. This seafood restaurant, on the banks of the Bann at Coleraine, is growing in popularity due to Stevie's innovative menus, which included shrimp lasagne and six different flavoured oysters. Likewise, Shanty offers a wide menu with an emphasis on seafood with lobster a speciality. P.S. The area is well known for its range of unusual arts products, with many based near the Giant's Causeway at the Boat House Gallery and Glass Workshop, run by Eleanor-Jane McCartney. Visitors are able to cut stained glass sourced from the windows of a former local church, and using the Tiffany glassmaking technique, create their own unique masterpiece. Likewise, a fascinating visit to Louise and Trevor McLean's studio on the outskirts of Portrush allows you to try out traditional basket weaving. Factfile Dunluce Lodge: Rooms start from £299 per room on a B&B basis ( Portrush Adelphi: Rooms start from £245 subject to seasonality & availability per room per night, including full Irish breakfast and VAT. Pet friendly. (
