How Adare is preparing to welcome the world for the Ryder Cup

Organisers expect record attendance, significant tourism revenue and a lasting legacy for the Mid-West region

Anna Coffey Lynch and Mark Lynch with Magoo in Adare Grocer, Adare, Co Limerick. Picture : Eamon Ward

The 2023 Ryder Cup, held at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, was the first to be staged in Italy. It delivered a €262m boost to the Italian economy — a record for a Ryder Cup hosted in Europe. 

The figure was an 11% increase on the €235m generated in Paris in 2018.

Last year’s event at Bethpage Black in New York drew about 250,000 visitors, and generated an economic impact of more than $200m.

Every two years, the Ryder Cup pits the 12 best professional players from the US against the 12 best European players. First played in 1927, next year's event at Adare Manor will mark the first time the competition has been held in Ireland since 2006, when Europe secured an 18-9 victory at the K Club in Kildare.

The 2006 edition generated €143m of direct expenditure to the economy, with €127m of this invested in the Kildare and Dublin area.

According to Government officials, the economic benefits of the 2027 Ryder Cup are expected to be “in excess of €300m" to Ireland as a whole.

The European Tour's chief Ryder Cup officer, Richard Atkinson, said the impact in Rome generated a “significant impact” in Italy.

“A number of different metrics go into that — obviously, international visitors coming into the region, not only for the golf, but pre- and post-event. They need to stay somewhere, eat somewhere, be entertained, and all that generates a significant economic impact for the local city and the host nation.” 

While Adare Manor is “suitable” to host a major tournament, the infrastructures around the course also needs to follow.

“We have to supplement that with temporary infrastructure and overlay. We don't have the luxury of six stadia that you perhaps do in football, rugby, tennis, and other sports," said Atkinson.

“We have to adapt to the environment, the location that we're in with temporary infrastructure. So that means things like grandstands, tent structures to house media centres, catering areas, bars."

'A small town' for spectators

The overall idea is to “build a sort of small town” for spectators.

As part of a wider transport plan for the Ryder Cup, a number of park and ride facilities will be located across Limerick to bring visitors to Adare Manor. One of the sites, located at Collopy’s Cross, Attyflin, Patrickswell, is expected to provide up to 3,900 spaces.

“We work very closely with local authorities, with Limerick City and County Council and the Government of Ireland to ensure we have adequate rail services," said Atkinson, explaining the park and rides are the most efficient way to get this number of people into a golf course.

More than 20,000 grandstand seats will be available at Adare — a European Ryder Cup record.

In May, all matchday tickets available via an exclusive priority window for Irish residents sold out in under an hour.

Within a few hours, practice-day and weekly tickets available in the same window also sold out, as more than 150,000 people across the country pre-registered for early access.

Ryder Cup Europe nearly doubled ticket prices for the flagship event, with fans paying €499 for a daily ticket — up from €260 in 2023.

Atkinson said: “Approximately a third of our audience will be from the island of Ireland, and we're delighted with that. We know how enthusiastic and passionate they are and it's important that this is an Irish Ryder Cup. 

"But we want to give the rest of the world an opportunity to be there and enjoy the Ryder Cup as well.” 

Complimentary passes for locals

For the first time, Ryder Cup Europe offered free tickets to local residents, with each household in Adare village’s postal code receiving two complimentary passes valid for any day of the tournament. However, residents in the wider parish outside the designated postal area were not included.

“The response and feedback was hugely, hugely positive. We’re well aware, whilst it's our event, it's their community, and we know how important community is in Ireland," said Atkinson.

We wanted to give back to them. There is going to be a number of initiatives for the community to enjoy in the run-up and during the event.

Another first will be the option to camp nearby Adare Manor — with a dedicated entry leading to the first tee point, only five minutes away from the venue.

“I can update you that we are going to have an official campsite that's going to be located next to Adare Manor,” Mr Atkinson told the Irish Examiner. “There’s camping coming on board, which we're really excited about — it's the first time we've done it.”

As more than 35,000 people have applied to volunteer at the event, Mr Atkinson said the 2,000 roles available will mostly be allocated to Irish residents.

“This shows the passion people have for the Ryder Cup and the desire to be part of it," he said.

A significant number of the volunteers will be Irish, especially in the ambassador roles. We want it to be an Irish Ryder Cup, we want it to be an Irish welcome.

He said the Ryder Cup was also an international event, so people from other countries would get a chance to volunteer. “We need people with language skills who can help communicate to our international fan base as well. We're in the middle of the process, but they will be informed in August time, and then hopefully training will begin after that.” 

While volunteers will not be offered any financial help for accommodation or flights, Atkinson said “there is a strong volunteer community” among attendees.

“They tend to sort of look after each other, so I've no doubt they will be finding appropriate accommodation for their stay. We’re working very closely with the volunteer team to ensure that everyone does have a place to stay and can support us in the operation.”