Royal Portrush is Ready to Host The Open Championship This Summer

The 153rd Open is now just one month away, meaning that final preparations are well underway at Royal Portrush Golf Club for the return of the most historic championship in the game from July 13-20.

Spectator stands, temporary infrastructure and additional facilities are currently being built in anticipation of the sold-out crowd of 278,000 spectators - as well as hundreds of golfers, caddies and staff - that will descend on County Antrim, representing a record-breaking attendance for an Open Championship outside of St Andrews.

Plenty among that sold-out crowd are expected to take the opportunity to explore the rest of the island, which draws in approximately 240,000 golfers in a typical year. The island of Ireland boasts more than 400 golf clubs - including a third of the world’s natural links courses - many of which dot the coastlines of Northern Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East; Northern Ireland alone is home to a total of 90 courses.

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According to a survey published this spring, Northern Ireland’s annual golf tourism revenue has climbed year-on-year - with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic - from £32.1m in 2015 to a staggering £86.2m in 2024.

Last year also saw the number of non-domestic overseas golfers in Northern Ireland rise to an all-time peak of 29,400. On average, visitors played five different golf courses across stays of approximately nine days in Northern Ireland throughout 2024.

During the period surrounding The 153rd Open, there are other must-play venues in Northern Ireland including Ardglass Golf Club, Lough Erne Resort, Royal Belfast Golf Club, Belvoir Golf Club, Holywood Golf Club and Portstewart Golf Club.

Between rounds on this diverse range of exceptional golf courses, visiting players can enjoy delicious local food and drink and explore stunning natural scenery such as the iconic Giant’s Causeway and Mourne Mountains.

Throughout the year, there is a range of high-quality accommodation in Northern Ireland, ranging from luxury hotels to affordable alternatives. The brand new 5 star resort Dunluce Lodge, the premier Galgorm Resort, Derry-Londonderry’s The Ebrington Hotel and Bishop’s Gate Hotel, and the boutique Bushmills Inn are among the venues that expect to host more golf fans than ever this July.

Popular tourist attractions including Titanic Belfast, Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and The Old Bushmills Distillery await nearby to add off-course flavour and unforgettable experiences to any golf getaway.

Judith Cassidy, Tourism Ireland’s acting head of Great Britain, said: "With excitement continuing to build for the return of The Open to Royal Portrush next month, we are presented with a great opportunity to shine a light on Northern Ireland’s world class golf and leisure offering and, via our exciting programme of promotional activity, encourage GB golfers and holidaymakers alike to book a visit to the destination."

It was, of course, Royal Portrush where Shane Lowry claimed a maiden major title last time The Open was held in Northern Ireland, in 2019. The tournament will once again grace the world-famous Dunluce Links, a par-71 masterpiece designed by legendary golf architect Harry Colt.  

Excitement for The 153rd Open has only intensified since Rory McIlroy, who was born just 50 miles away from Royal Portrush in Holywood, etched his name into golfing history by winning the ‘Career Grand Slam’ at April’s Masters Tournament. McIlroy is among the favourites to win on home soil for what would be his second Open Championship win. To commemorate the 36-year-old’s exceptional achievement, his home club, Holywood Golf Club, are operating McIlroy-themed club tours.

Named the International Golf Destination of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) on more than one occasion, Ireland’s credentials will grow even stronger in 2027 when Adare Manor hosts the Ryder Cup.

For more information, please visit www.ireland.com.

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