GOLF: Irish Open at Royal County Down in May 2015

     Irish golf fans would do well to book early for next year’s Irish Open at Royal County Down, hosted for the first time by world number one Rory McIlroy’s very own charitable foundation.  Last time, in 2012, the Irish Open held in Northern Ireland became the first European Tour event to totally sell out in advance.
     Now the race is on again for coveted tickets and insiders are quietly but confidently predicting the best Irish Open ever. The prestigious venue will be the famous links of Royal County Down, listed among the world’s best golf courses, and with The Rory Foundation on board as official tournament host, it is expected that the world number one will strengthen an already impressive Irish Open line-up including some of the leading players from both the European and US PGA.

The famous links of Royal County Down

     Keen that Irish golf fans get a chance to enjoy another momentous event, which takes place from May 28 to May 31, 2015, the organizers have added an incentive to book early with tickets at just £25 when booked by December 31, 2014 - that's a saving of £10. After that the normal gate price will be £35 from January 1, 2015.  Ticket holders will be able to leave and re-enter the venue.
And families will be delighted to hear that kids under the age of 16 will be admitted FREE as long as they are accompanied by an adult (up to four children are allowed with one paying adult).
     NITB’s Chief Operating Officer Kathryn Thomson speaking in Dublin this week: "We are thrilled at the prospect of Royal County Down hosting the 2015 Irish Open, we are expecting another historic event come next May and already, a sizeable number of tickets have been sold".
     “Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke are wonderful ambassadors for Northern Ireland on a global stage" adds Kathryn "their magnificent achievements have certainly raised the profile of Northern Ireland on the global golf circuit.  At NITB, we are determined to make the most of their success for the benefit of golf tourism in Northern Ireland which currently generates upwards of £27 million each year for the local economy.”

Left to right: European Tour’s Irish Open Championship Director Antonia Beggs,  NITB’s ROI Market Manager Fiona Cunningham and NITB’s Chief Operating Officer Kathryn Thomson at Grand Canal Dock, Dublin this week to urge Irish golf fans to book their tickets early for next year’s Irish Open at Royal County Down.

     The European Tour’s Antonia Beggs, Championship Director for the Irish Open, said “I cannot tell you how excited we are to be returning in 2015 to one of the best courses on the planet and with the likes of Rory and Rickie Fowler already confirmed, we are confident that next year’s line-up will be one to remember.”
     “I am delighted that the Irish Open is being hosted at Royal County Down in 2015" says Rory McIlroy  "It is hugely exciting to be joining some of the world’s greatest golf talents on my home turf. Northern Ireland has established itself as one of the world’s greatest golfing destinations and Royal County Down is one of the world’s finest links courses.”