As the countdown to Rome in 2023 continues apace, the Ryder Cup’s return to Irish shores draws closer with it, and a new promotional video from Tourism Ireland is sure to heighten anticipation for golf’s greatest spectacle.
Featuring homegrown superstars Rory McIlroy, Leona Maguire, Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington, along with American sensation Jordan Spieth, the video serves as a reminder that our sporting tradition, our hospitality, our culture and our golf courses make Ireland and the Ryder Cup a match made in heaven.
“It’s just a beautiful country,” says three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, “and I think that you most enjoy coming here because of the people.” The charismatic phenom enjoyed four days of golf in Ireland earlier this year, competing in the star-studded JP McManus Pro-Am at the Ryder Cup venue, and honing his links golf skills ahead of the 150th Open Championship by playing Tralee and Lahinch – being accompanied by a grazing goat at the latter, along with dozens of spectators fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time.
“It’s one of my favourite places I’ve ever been,” Spieth goes on to add, “great sport fans in general, but they love their golf too.”
“We’re spoiled for choice,” says Solheim Cup hero Leona Maguire, “there’s so many fantastic golf courses. There’s so much variety and there’s something for everybody, and then even if you’re not a golfer, I suppose, there’s all the food, the hospitality, the music and the culture that goes with it. Everywhere I travel in the world, everybody has Ireland on their bucket-list.”
Shane Lowry, whose two most memorable victories came on Irish soil when capturing the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009, before claiming the Claret Jug at Portrush a decade later, recounts hearing Spieth and accomplices Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler heaping praise on their experience. “They couldn’t believe how well they were treated, it’s just different from anywhere else, I believe, and the best hospitality is waiting for you when you come to Ireland.”
Adare Manor, the host venue in 2027, is evidence that though Ireland is famed for its links golf, we’ve got parkland courses to rival anything found worldwide.
“I would call it the ‘Augusta of Ireland,'” says world number one Rory McIlroy, “it’s got a lot of similarities, they’ve used the same grass, they’ve used the same bunkering – the features and shapes of the bunkers – and they’ve used that sort of white, splashed-up sand on the faces. It’s probably the best conditioned course in Europe – I don’t think anything touches it.”
“There’s no doubt about it, the whole of Ireland will get behind the Ryder Cup,” says former Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington, who knows more about local support than most, “they’re very proud of Adare Manor, they know it’s right there at the top of golf courses and venues in the whole world. The whole locality loves it and have taken ownership and that support is very evident when you come here, and obviously with the Ryder Cup, it’s bigger, there’s more international people, but they will get that feeling when they come here. It’s all about the golf course.”
Siobhan McManamy, Tourism Ireland’s Director of Markets, said: “Tourism Ireland is delighted to collaborate with the Ryder Cup to promote the fact that the 2027 tournament will take place at Adare Manor. The aim of these videos is to remind people that the island of Ireland offers some of the very best golf in the world, as well as spectacular scenery and fantastic experiences. We look forward to working closely with the Ryder Cup, Sport Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to take every opportunity to leverage the tourism potential of this prestigious sporting event.”
The Ryder Cup will attract tens of thousands of visitors to Ireland, and thanks to Adare Manor, will boost local economies the length and breadth of the country, in addition to making the Emerald Isle the focal point of the sporting world in September 2027.
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