Ryder Cup success and Ploughing Championship underpins 10% rise in spending

The European team's success in the historic Ryder Cup tournament coincided with a 10% increase in spending at gold clubs and courses year-on-year, AIB has found

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy react after their match win on the 18th hole at Bethpage Black golf course during the Ryder Cup golf tournament, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Farmingdale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

September had the biggest selling days of the year for tourism and exhibits, new data from AIB has sound, with the National Ploughing Championships and the Irish Open brining a boost to spending. 

The latest spend trend data from AIB show ticket sales for the Ploughing were led by customers from Cork, Tipperary, Galway, Limerick and Offaly for the annual event that is the largest of its kind in the world.