Low clouds still can’t dampen Killarney high

AS intermittent drizzle and low clouds enveloped Killarney yesterday, the television commentators at the 3 Irish Open Golf Championship eased off a little on the superlatives.

And, even though they couldn’t see Ireland’s highest mountain, they still tried valiantly to pronounce Carrantuohill. But, Fáilte Ireland and the tourist industry wore smiles as wide as the emerald green fairways, jubilant about all the free advertising south-west Ireland and the golf industry is getting.

Fáilte Ireland has put €1 million into the Open with 3, the mobile phone company, putting in €2m. The Open is now the major showcase for golf in Ireland, with a Fáilte Ireland spokesman saying they were “extremely pleased” with the event, so far. “The fact Killarney has been portrayed so well on television to millions of golfers around the world, will be of long-term benefit and will entice more golfers to make Ireland a must-see, must-do destination.”