Pormarnock Golf Club in Dublin.Ireland's Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media

The Irish  Government has given its provisional support to hosting the prestigious golf events The Open and the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin.

The Irish Government’s agreement to support the hosting of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock is subject to further conditions being met.

Portmarnock Golf Club was identified by The R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club) as the leading candidate due to its world-class reputation, its proximity to Ireland's capital city and the airport, and its capacity to host the large crowds now typical at the event.

Should Portmarnock get the go-ahead, it will be the first time The Open and the AIG Women's Open will be hosted outside of Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Open has only been hosted twice outside England or Scotland; on both occasions, it was hosted in Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. It will return to Portrush in Co Antrim in 2025.

Ireland’s Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media (TCAGSM) said on Tuesday that it will continue to engage with Portmarnock Golf Club and The R&A to further explore the costs of hosting and to prepare a full business case for the events, in line with the Department’s recently published Major International Sports Events Policy.

The Department noted that it assesses each request for support to a major event on its own merits. In particular, it is imperative to ensure that economic, participation, and sports benefits are derived from any State investment.

TCAGSM said that it is estimated that up to 245,000 tickets to The Open could be sold per iteration. Should Ireland host three iterations of The Open and at least one AIG Women’s Open this could result in a cumulative gross economic impact of €338 million.

Welcoming the development, Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Tuesday: “The potential to host The Open and the Women’s Open would bring endless opportunities for the country including showcasing Ireland on the world stage and promoting equality in sport. It would also provide cultural, economic and social benefits and overall, be a major boost for the country.

“We already have a reputation as a world-leading golf destination and hosting these events would further enhance Ireland as a global destination for the sport. I look forward to the next steps to hopefully make this happen.”

Catherine Martin TD, Ireland's Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media said: “Ireland is now a step closer to holding the world’s oldest and most prestigious golf championship, which would also see it being held outside the UK for the very first time.

"I welcome today’s decision by Government in relation to the potential hosting of both The Open and the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock Golf Club.

"The hosting of these events and particularly the AIG Women’s Open, in Portmarnock would represent a significant moment for equality in sport and greater participation in golf and would be one of the biggest women’s international sporting events ever held in Ireland.

"Also, the enormous value that this brings to our tourism sector, and to golf courses, communities and businesses all across the island, is well recognised.”

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Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, added: “On numerous occasions, Ireland has shown that we have what it takes when it comes to successfully hosting major sports events on a global stage.

"Following the publication of Ireland’s first-ever Major International Sports Events policy just last week, I am very glad to see our possible hosting of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open advanced by the Government today.

"Our potential hosting of The Open and the AIG Women’s Open offers many exciting possibilities including the opportunity to ensure a meaningful sports participation legacy for all to benefit from.”

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Meanwhile, Mark Kennelly, Golf Ireland CEO, said: “Today’s announcement that Portmarnock Golf Club will likely host both The Open and the AIG Women’s Open is a momentous occasion for golf in Ireland.

“These historic events will not only be a wonderful spectacle of professional golf, but they will also pave the way for impactful legacy programs that will nurture talent and grow the game across all communities.

“We are particularly excited about the prospect of the AIG Women’s Open taking place in Ireland as it would be a fantastic showcase of women’s golf. 

“We thank the Irish Government, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Minister Catherine Martin and Minister Thomas Byrne, for their commitment to securing these events and look forward to welcoming golf fans from all over the world to our shores.”