Adare residents get free passes to Ryder Cup

One villager also revealed that he has been given an option to buy four further one-day tickets for the tournament

The passes will give access to each of the three tournament days, from September 13-15 next year, and are valued at almost €1500. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Up to 1,500 residents of the village of Adare in Co Limerick have received a Ryder Cup present in the post — complimentary passes to golf's biggest event.

The passes will give access to each of the three tournament days, from September 13-15 next year, and are valued at almost €1500.

An allocation of tickets for the Europe versus USA golf match was put on sale last week for Irish residents only, costing €499 for a day pass. The tickets sold out online within minutes.

Adare resident Pat O'Connell told the Irish Examiner: "My wife and I had just come back from holiday and we got word from a neighbour that there was good news in our post box. 

"We found a letter from the Ryder Cup organisers informing us that my wife and I had each been allocated complimentary tickets."

The retired civil servant and his wife Ena were keen to be involved in what has become one of the world's biggest sporting occasions.

Pat said: "We had both put our names down to volunteer at the event but it won't be decided for some time if we will be chosen.

"But now we have our passes and we were given a barcode from which we can book our day at the golf tournament.

It is a fantastic gesture and shows great appreciation to the people living in Adare by the organisers.

Mr O'Connell also revealed that he has been given an option to buy four further one-day tickets for the tournament and can access these tickets on a priority number. 

Another resident who was renting a house in Adare also got the good news in the post but is now hoping the property owner will not come looking for the passes.