Golf
Ireland's reputation as a destination for high-quality and challenging golf has grown substantially over the last decade. Golf tourism attracted 143,000 overseas visitors to Ireland in 2009 and generated an estimated spend of €110 million.
We can attribute this reputation to international events like the American Express Championships, the European Open and the Ryder Cup; as well as our world famous golfers, including Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley. Golf in Ireland also receives positive comments from other leading international golfers and the media alike.
The Golf Ireland Brand: Time to Play
A new Golf Ireland brand has been successfully developed by the Brand Working Group and was launched formally in April 2010.
For more information view the brand presentations (PDF, 2.9MB) by Aidan Magennis (Chairman of the Brand Working Group) and Keith McCormack (Head of Golf and Sports Tourism, Fáilte Ireland).
Update on the e-Business Working Group
View the presentation of the e-Business Working Group (PDF, 1.7MB) for an update on progress to date.
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Quality and Assurance for Golf Clubs
Fáilte Ireland has awarded Approved Golf Operator status to 32 golf clubs, which were presented with their certificates during the Golf Industry Meeting. View Golf Industry Meeting images (PDF, 491kb).
Read more information on this scheme (PDF, 500kb), or visit our quality standards for golf section.
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Golf Marketing Plans 2010
Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland have presented their golf marketing plans for 2010. View these presentations (PDF, 790kb).
Related audio and video
Please note, the audio/video clips below may take some time to download. To save them to your computer, please right-click the relevant link, and then select 'Save target as'.
Golf Ireland - Time to Play (mpeg)
Golf course flyover video (wmv)
Golf in Ireland radio ad 1 (mp3)
Golf in Ireland radio ad 2 (mp3)
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About Golf in Ireland
Hosting the Ryder Cup in 2006 raised Ireland’s profile as a golf destination.
During 2008 Fáilte Ireland supported the Irish Open at Adare Manor in County Limerick; the Irish Seniors Open at Ballyliffin Golf Club in County Donegal; and the Ladies Irish Open at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links in County Dublin.
2009 saw Shane Lowry (pictured) win the 3 Irish Open. The then-amateur golfer saw off formidable challengers to win the event in front of a large home crowd at Baltray Golf Club in County Louth.
Following on from this success, the 2011 Solheim Cup will take place at Killeen Castle, County Meath.
Golf tourism brings an average of 170,000 visitors to Ireland annually, and contributes up to an estimated €130 million to the economy. For further information on golf statistics in Ireland please refer to our Tourism Facts for Activities section.
Market research carried out by Fáilte Ireland with the assistance of IMG, established that Ireland’s wide rage of golf courses can be broadly categorised into four groups: trophy links courses; championship links courses; trophy parkland courses; and parkland courses. We have something to offer all levels and types of golfers.
The website www.discoverireland.ie/golf gives details of all golf courses in Ireland including information on current golf offers and how to plan a golfing trip in Ireland. It also gives details of Irish and overseas-based tour operators.
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