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Irish Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Record green fees tee-up operating surplus at Lahinch Golf Club
Record green fee income of €3.3 million at Lahinch Golf Club last year helped the club post an operating surplus of €1.725 million. This year, the Lahinch has increased green fees to €375 for non-members to play a round of golf at its 'iconic' Old Course. In his report to members, outgoing chairman John Gleeson said that on foot of the 2025 green fee increase 'we expect our revenue from green fee activity to exceed 2024 levels'. The 2023 US Masters champion and LIV tour member, Jon Rahm won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open staged at Co Clare club in 2019 which raised the course's international profile. READ MORE American golfers usually make up a sizeable chunk of the green fee income and the annual report shows that arising from green fees increasing to €375 from April 22nd to October 10th Lahinch Golf Club is projecting that its green fee income will increase to €3.8 million in 2025. Mr Gleeson said that while members' annual subscription income increased to €1.23 million in 2024 'we continue to rely very heavily on revenue generated from green fee visitors'. Last year, the golf club's Golf Shop alone generated €1.38 million in sales of Lahinch GC branded clothing and accessories and other items, contributing a gross profit of €611,318 to the club's finances. In his report attached to the club's 2024 annual report, Mr Gleeson stated that 'it was another successful financial year for the club'. He said that the operating surplus of €1.72 million 'has allowed us to rebuild our finances with our contingency fund of €2 million in place, while providing additional funding for our clubhouse project'. Construction work continues on the upgrade of its 'no longer fit for purpose' clubhouse, which is now almost 60 years old and Mr Gleeson said that 'the tender price was €6.6 million which is a major undertaking for the Club'. 'We look forward to having the 'new clubhouse' completed ahead of the Walker Cup in 2026,' he added. Mr Gleeson said that the €2 million contingency fund is in place 'to deal with any significant downturn which would put pressure on our finances'. 'Golfing activity was at record levels by both members and guests and in particular the Castle Course has seen a large increase in usage by members,' he said. The club's finances were also boosted by new members spending €245,000 on 'Overseas Life Memberships'. Overall staff costs last year increased from €1.88 million to €2.08 million. At the end of December, the golf club's equity had increased to €10.7 million made up of €8.76 million in accumulated funds and €2 million in a contingency fund. The golf club's cash funds increased from €3.57 million to €3.78 million.
Irish Examiner
09-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Increased green fees set to push Lahinch Golf Club income to €3.8m
Record green fee income of €3.3m at Lahinch Golf Club last year contributed to the club making an operating surplus of €1.72m. This year, the club has increased green fees to €375 for non-members to play a round of golf at its 'iconic' Old Course. In his report to members, outgoing chairperson John Gleeson said that on foot of the 2025 green fee increase, 'we expect our revenue from green fee activity to exceed 2024 levels'. The 2023 US Masters champion and now LIV tour member, Jon Rahm won the Irish Open staged at Lahinch in 2019 which raised the course's international profile. US golfers usually make up a sizeable chunk of the green fee income and the annual report shows that arising from green fees increasing to €375 from April 22 to October 10, Lahinch Golf Club is projecting that its green fee income will increase to €3.8m in 2025. Mr Gleeson said that while members' annual subscription income increased to €1.23m in 2024 'we continue to rely very heavily on revenue generated from green fee visitors'. Last year, the club's golf shop alone generated €1.38m in revenues from the sales of Lahinch GC branded clothing and accessories and other items, contributing a gross profit of €611,318 to the club's finances. Mr Gleeson said that the operating surplus of €1.72m 'has allowed us to rebuild our finances with our contingency fund of €2m in place, while providing additional funding for our clubhouse project'. Construction work continues on the upgrade of its clubhouse, which is now almost 60 years old and Mr Gleeson said that 'the tender price was €6.6m which is a major undertaking for the club'. "We look forward to having the 'new clubhouse' completed ahead of the Walker Cup in 2026,' Mr Gleeson said. Mr Gleeson said golfing activity was at record levels by both members and guests and the Castle Course saw a large increase in usage by members. The club's finances were also boosted by new members spending €245,000 on 'overseas life memberships'. The €3.32m in green fee income along with €1.23m in members' subs and the €681,141 golf shop gross contribution contributed to overall revenues last year of €5.42m. Staff costs in 2024 increased from €1.88m to €2.08m. At the end of December, the club's equity increased to €10.7m. The golf club's cash funds increased from €3.57 million to €3.78m.
Irish Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dream Point in Dublin's Dockland's now open - but it's only for a limited time
A massive 'dream land' has opened in Dublin's docklands, but it won't be around for long. Dream Point opened its doors on April 28, and advertises itself as Ireland's first purpose-built, multi-room immersive 'world of dreams'. Suitable for all ages, the immersive experience is currently set to run for the next six months. Spanning 21,000 square feet, €3m was invested in the project that aims to spark creativity, joy and wonder for guests. It features a balloon room, a ball pit room, a photo opportunity room, and a glow corridor where visitors can use a torch to create glowing trails of light on the walls. Children and adults can also alter their reality in the inflatable forest, where they can wander through the huge 10-foot, touch-sensitive inflatables that light up and change colour at every touch. For the artists, the draw alive room brings children's imaginations to life. Here, they can draw a picture of one of their favourite animals, submit it to a machine and watch it come to life on a gigantic projection wall before them. Irish brothers Dan and John Gleeson - who previously brought The Van Gogh and FRIENDS Experience to Dublin- say it's a must-visit destination in the capital this summer. Dan said: 'This is more than just a new attraction — it's a whole new category of experience. "We've travelled the world to bring the best of immersive exhibitions back to Dublin, and Dream Point is our own dream brought to life. Every room is designed to spark creativity and connection, and we are so proud to open our doors to the public today (Wednesday).' Dream Point operates in timed 90-minute sessions, six days a week (closed Tuesdays), for a six-month run, starting April 28. Adult tickets start from €18.80, children's tickets from €14.60, and children under the age of two can attend free of charge. Tickets can be bought at at
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
First look at new fun family attraction ‘Dream Point Experience' as it officially opens doors at Dublin's Docklands
THIS is the first look at the standout new fun family attraction 'Dream Point Experience' which officially opened its doors today. The massive 21,000 sq ft purpose-built, multi-room immersive 'world of dreams' at the Dublin Docklands invites families to "step inside a spectacular world where imagination leads the way". Advertisement 4 The first look at the standout new fun family attraction 'Dream Point Experience' 4 The Dublin Docklands venue is a massive 21,000 sq ft purpose-built, multi-room 'world of dreams' 4 The €3m development was created by Dan and John Gleeson The €3m development was created by Dan and John Gleeson, the Irish brothers behind The Van Gogh Experience, The Friends Experience, The Lego Bricktionary Experience and more in Dublin recently. Inside you can find The Balloon Room, where a glowing chamber is filled with oversized pink balloons complete with a walk-around path designed for visitors with sensitivities. There's also The Projection Room, the European premiere of an interactive animation wall by acclaimed Taiwanese artists Wei Wen and Damon. In the Draw Alive Room, children simply draw a picture of one of their favourite animals and submit it into a kid-friendly machine. They are then amazed to see their animal drawing come to life on the gigantic projection wall before them — jumping, running or flying across the screen. For extra fun, the child's name even appears above their animal as it moves across the scene. Advertisement Read more in Travel And in The Inflatable Forest, you can wander through huge, 10-foot, touch-sensitive inflatables that light up and change colour at every touch. In The Photo Opp Room, visitors can immerse themselves in installations that create surreal, gravity-defying moments made for the camera, including an always-fun upside-down room. The Glow Corridor sees people use a torch to create glowing trails of light on the walls, crafting magical and shareable moments. The Ball Pit Room contains Ireland's largest ball pit, overflowing with 250,000 pearl-toned balls beneath floating clouds. Advertisement Most read in Family And The Dream Café is where visitors can unwind in a stylish, family-friendly shop with artisan coffee and treats, while little ones explore a dedicated soft play zone. The developers say Dream Point is designed with children and families in mind but could also appeal to "young adults, couples and content creators seeking standout experiences". SIX-MONTH RUN It's also expected to create up to 40 new jobs locally, including creative, technical, hospitality and visitor support roles. Dream Point, which is fully accessible, operates in timed 90-minute sessions, six days a week (closed Tuesdays), for a six-month run. Advertisement Tickets are available now at Discounted rates are available for students, seniors and accessible guests. 'NEW CATEGORY OF EXPERIENCE' Family bundles are also available, with prices for a family of four starting from just €43.05. Co-founder Dan Gleeson said: "This is more than just a new attraction — it's a whole new category of experience. Advertisement "We've travelled the world to bring the best of immersive exhibitions back to Dublin, and Dream Point is our own dream brought to life. "Every room is designed to spark creativity and connection, and we are so proud to open our doors to the public today." 4 It houses Ireland's largest ball pit, overflowing with 250,000 pearl-toned balls beneath floating clouds
