The Irish Government will provide €11.6 million in funding under the Regional State Airports Programme 2021 towards the development of Shannon Airport in the lead up to the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027.
Recognising the economic opportunities hosting such an iconic event on Irish soil is sure to guarantee, not least an influx of tourists from the United States, the Government will support the Shannon Group in developing the airport’s infrastructure and improving the passenger experience.
Minister for Sport, Jack Chambers, in response to a parliamentary question tabled by Social Democrats TD, Catherine Murphy, said, “The Ryder Cup 2027 will benefit the Airport and boost the regional economy, and Shannon Airport are preparing for the increase in Airport traffic the event will bring.”
The Department has supported the Airport by providing €11.6m in funding under the Regional State Airports Programme 2021, including €6.1m in capital funding. Emergency capital supports of €5.35m were also provided for the Airport’s Hold Baggage Screening and Embankments projects.
These funding allocations are intended to build and develop the Airport’s business for the future, including meeting the increased traffic anticipated in the lead up to the Ryder Cup in 2027.
The cash injection comes off the back of the Irish Government pledging over €30 million in financial support to the international golf events being staged in Ireland up to, and including the Ryder Cup in 2027.
In figures presented to the Committee of Public Accounts, the staggered payments towards the biennial contest between Europe and the United States began with a €3.2 million payment in 2020 in relation to the hosting fee at the Limerick venue.
By 2027, the Government will have invested a total of €22.5 million in the Ryder Cup, a tournament sure to capture the world’s attention and shine a light on JP McManus’ stunning resort that reopened in 2017 following a remarkable renovation.
On the last occasion Ireland hosted the Ryder Cup back in 2006 at The K Club in County Kildare, the total economic benefit was €143 million, according to a Deloitte report commissioned by Fáilte Ireland.
Further commitment will be extended to the Horizon Irish Open, the Irish Challenge and the Irish Senior Open on the Staysure Tour totalling €8.5 million by 2027.
This year’s grant will be €1.2 million with the focus of the investment set to be around significant marketing campaigns for the events in question, budgeted for collaboration with the DP World, Challenge and Legends Tours.
The Horizon Irish Open returns to Mount Juliet Estate from June 30 – July 3 with an increased prize fund of $6million and the likely admittance of a full attendance for the first time since Lahinch in 2019. General admission tickets for the Sunday of the championship have already sold out.
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