Clare County Council has welcomed confirmation that the county will be hosting two major international golf events: the 2026 Irish Open in Doonbeg and the Walker Cup in Lahinch next September.
At the October meeting of Clare County Council, calls were made to secure funding for improvements to roads, lighting, signage, and other infrastructure to ensure Clare is ready to showcase the county to visitors from around Ireland and abroad.
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Shannon called on the council to ensure that they secure the necessary funding to facilitate physical infrastructure improvements to roads, footpaths, lighting, signage and all other ancillaries “to ensure Clare’s unique and beautiful image is portrayed around the world during the Irish Open in Doonbeg next September.”
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The Irish Open is a prestigious golf tournament that forms part of the European Tour. It is one of Ireland’s most notable golfing events, attracting top international players.
The event has been held at various renowned courses across Ireland, and it has been a key fixture in the golfing calendar since its inception in 1927, the tournament offers significant prize money and has been instrumental in promoting Irish golf on the global stage.
The 2026 Irish Open will be held in Trump International Golf Links & Hotel™ Ireland in Doonbeg from September 10 to September 13.
Cyril Feeney, Senior Engineer, Physical Development said that “Clare County Council has welcomed the announcement of the forthcoming golf events in 2026.”
He detailed that the first of the major golf events is the 51st Walker Cup between Great Britain and Ireland against the United States of America in Lahinch on September 5-6, 2026.
The Walker Cup is a prestigious amateur golf competition, played between teams from Great Britain and Ireland and the United States, first held in 1922 and is considered one of the most significant events in amateur golf.
The tournament is contested every two years, The Walker Cup is known for its team format, with players competing in both singles and foursome matches.
The 2026 Walker Cup, set to take place at Lahinch Golf Club, will be followed by the DP World Tour Amgen Irish Open in Doonbeg the following week.
Feeney assure that: “Council officials will be engaging with the event organisers, local stakeholders and government departments in the coming months to ensure the appropriate targeted infrastructure investments are made to deliver these world class events.”
“The funding investment required was also highlighted by the Members with TII officials in our meeting with them held in May of this year. The events will also provide an opportunity to show case county Clare and its many extraordinary cultural assets and amenities to a world audience through television and social media networks,” he wrote.
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