Government promises to “engage positively” with Portmarnock’s Open and AIG Women’s Open bids
Portmarnock Golf Club
Sports Minister Catherine Martin says she would encourage officials to ”engage positively” with Portmarnock Golf Club in its bid to stage the AIG Women's Open and The Open at the north Dublin links.
"We welcome today's announcement that there has been contact between Portmarnock Golf Club and the R&A regarding a possible future hosting of The Open and the Women's Open," said the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and the Media in a statement also signed by Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education.
"This exciting news has clear potential for sport and tourism on the island of Ireland, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is open to engaging with the Club to assess whether Government support would be required to underpin a bid by the Club to host such events.
“The Open is the most iconic of all the golf majors and its hosting in Portrush in 2019 was a tremendous success. Its impact was felt all across the island and we look forward to its return to Portrush in 2025.
"We were delighted to learn, in May this year, that the Women's Amateur Championship will be hosted at Portmarnock Golf Club during the week of 24-29 June 2024.
"This will be one of the highest profile women's sports events to happen in Ireland and we are confident that it will be a great success.
The 18th green and clubhouse at Portmarnock Golf Club
"A future subsequent hosting of The Open and / or the Women's Open would further enhance Ireland's reputation as a world-leading golf destination.
"The value that this brings to our tourism sector, and to courses, communities and businesses all across the island, is well understood. With over 400 golf courses, and one third of links courses worldwide, Ireland has a deserved reputation as a key global destination for golf."
The government is understood to be investing €54 million in bringing the Ryder Cup to Ireland in 2027 and given the economic benefits surrounding The Open and the AIG Women's Open, they are well disposed towards Portmarnock's bid.
According to an independent study commissioned by The R&A, VisitScotland and Fife Council, this year's 150th Open at St Andrews generated almost €350 million in economic benefit for Scotland.
"Our Department has supported the hosting of a range of major events across a number of sports, including golf, and the hosting of the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Limerick will be especially significant," the Minister said.
"The Department assesses each request for support to a major event on its own merits. In particular, it is imperative to ensure that economic, participation and sports benefits are derived from any State investment.
"Should a request for such support be received from Portmarnock Golf Club we will ask our officials to engage positively with such a request."
