Europe’s finest golfers including defending champion Suzann Pettersen will gather to contest next month’s Ladies Irish Open and the event is one of a number of mouth-watering competitions for ladies to enjoy in Ireland over the next two months.

World number six Pettersen will head a star-studded field at Killeen Castle from August 3-5 that will also feature Solheim Cup teammates Laura Davies, Melissa Reid, Caroline Hedwall and four-time Irish Open winner Sophie Gustafson, and American Christina Kim.

Killeen Castle, 15 miles from Dublin, provided the venue for Europe’s stunning victory in the 2011 Solheim Cup and female golfers will be hoping to take inspiration from the event on to the fairways into a number of mixed tournaments later this summer.

September will see the Irish Open Venue Mixed Golf Tournament take place – a 54-hole combined Stableford competition on the links at Castlerock, Portstewart and Royal Portrush, venue for last month’s Irish Open.

Staged from September 23-26, the event offers a unique challenge to amateur golfers of all levels on one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the UK, with packages starting from £850 per couple including four nights’ bed and breakfast hotel accommodation, all golf and transfers to and from courses.

In addition, also being held in the same month is the exciting Celtic Couples Challenge which offers competitors the chance to play some of the most highly-regarded courses in south-west Ireland – Ballybunion’s famed Old Course, Waterville, Tralee and Dooks.

As well as enjoying one round of golf at each venue, the tournament package includes four nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation in the five-star Aghadoe Heights Hotel in Killarney; welcome drinks reception and barbeque;  gala dinner with evening entertainment and transfers to and from Shannon and Kerry airports for €1,460 per person.

Couples can also take advantage of some great green fee discounts both north and south of the border, including at Castlerock Golf Club where they can enjoy its historic links with a special husband and wife package offering two rounds of golf – for just £80.

Spouses can play the renowned 18-hole Mussenden Course for barely 20 per cent of the usual £65 green fee from Monday to Friday, while couples can enjoy two rounds of golf at weekends throughout 2012 for only £20 more.

Ireland’s reputation as a leading global golfing destination has never been higher and has been endorsed further this year with its courses featuring prominently in separate Golf Digest and Golf World magazine polls to find the best courses in the world – with Royal County Down ranked first in both lists.

With some of the most famous venues across the globe, Ireland offers golfers the complete package with top championship courses, stunning scenery, fascinating history and some of the best craic around.

For more details about the Ladies Irish Open, go to http://www.ladiesirishopen.ie/  and for more information on amateur tournaments being held in Ireland throughout 2012, go to www.discoverireland.com/gb/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/whats-on/listings/?wo=-1149995397&categoryType2=wo_606706819&l ll&s=time&la ll

Further details about visiting Ireland can be found by logging on to www.discoverireland.com