Portmarnock Golf Club and the R&A today welcomed today’s announcement by the Irish government that it will support the likely hosting of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open and its north Dublin links to the tune of up to €40 million.
While no decision has been made by the R&A , it could be 2029 before the women’s major is played at the club and 2034 before it becomes the first outside the UK to host The Open, which is the game’s oldest major.
In a statement, the Taoiseach Simon Harris and ministers Catherine Martin and Thomas Byrne said they “welcomed today’s agreement by Government to support the hosting of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock Golf Club, subject to further conditions being met.”
Confirming the decision, the Taoiseach said: “The potential to host The Open and the Women’s Open would bring endless opportunities for the country including showcasing Ireland on the world stage and promoting equality in sport. It would also provide cultural, economic and social benefits and overall, be a major boost for the country.
“We already have a reputation as a world-leading golf destination and hosting these events would further enhance Ireland as a global destination for the sport. I look forward to the next steps to hopefully make this happen.”
The Open has only been hosted twice outside England or Scotland; on both occasions it was hosted in Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, which will host the event again in 2025.
Portmarnock welcomed the government’s support in its bid to meet the significant infrastructural challenges it faces in its bid to host these two major championships.
“Portmarnock welcomes the government’s announcement of its decision to agree to support the hosting of The Open the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock Golf Club, subject to certain conditions being met,” the club said.
“This is a significant step on the journey to hosting these events at Portmarnock and while there remain further infrastructural issues to be overcome, this is a major boost to the potential success of the project.”
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A also welcomed the news of official government support of an event that bankrolls all its other activities.
“We welcome the commitment of the Irish Government to support bringing the AIG Women’s Open and The Open to Portmarnock Golf Club,” Mr Slumbers said.
“There is still a lot of work to do to ensure we can deliver on this opportunity, but the support of the Irish Government is critical. We will continue to work through this process with the Government, Portmarnock Golf Club and our other partners.”
Access to the links is a major stumbling block given the course is situated on a peninsula with just a narrow access road.
The golf course will also need to be enhanced to some extent and while The R&A has made at least two presentations to the members on potential changes to the links, no definitive decisions have been made on what those might be before they are presented to the members for approval.
Huge investment will be required in improving access to the links and Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage confirmed on X that between €35-€40 million of public money would be invested in infrastructure outside the gates of the club as well as millions more on the links itself.
“It will mean a massive investment, both off course in the Portmarnock area of about €35 to €40 million,” the Minister said. “And on-course investment here in the millions as well to enhance the golf club.
“The prestige of hosting this event will be absolutely colossal. It’s a major investment I’m delighted to have to have supported.
“I’ve met with The R&A and Portmarnock Golf Club over the last number of months, and they deserve incredible credit, as do Fingal County Council, for securing this really world famous event.”
The Taoiseach was joined in welcoming the decision by Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht.
Minister Martin said: “Ireland is now a step closer to holding the world’s oldest and most prestigious golf championship, which would also see it being held outside the UK for the very first time. I welcome today’s decision by Government in relation to the potential hosting of both The Open and the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock Golf Club.
“The hosting of these events and particularly the AIG Women’s Open, in Portmarnock would represent a significant moment for equality in sport and greater participation in golf and would be one of the biggest women’s international sporting events ever held in Ireland. Also, the enormous value that this brings to our tourism sector, and to golf courses, communities and businesses all across the island, is well recognised.”
Minister Byrne added: “On numerous occasions, Ireland has shown that we have what it takes when it comes to successfully hosting major sports events on a global stage.
“Following the publication of Ireland’s first-ever Major International Sports Events policy just last week, I am very glad to see our possible hosting of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open advanced by the Government today.
“Our potential hosting of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open offers many exciting possibilities including the opportunity to ensure a meaningful sports participation legacy for all to benefit from.”
According to the Government statement: “Approval of Government is subject to the preparation of a full business case in accordance with the public spending code, further exploration of the costs of hosting the events, a guarantee of multiple hostings of these events, ensuring a meaningful sports participation legacy and a further update to be brought to Government prior to entering a binding commitment to host.”
However, it expects to recoup its investment quickly, estimating the events to be worth €338 million to the economy.
“It is estimated that up to 245,000 tickets to The Open could be sold per iteration,” Goverment said in a statement. “Should Ireland host three iterations of The Open and at least one AIG Women’s Open this could result in a cumulative gross economic impact of €338 million.
“Ireland already has a reputation as a world-leading golf destination and hosting these outstanding events would further enhance Ireland as a global venue for golf.”