Epic new Links to open in Ireland's Ancient East

Golf in Ireland will kick off its expanded presence at this year's PGA Show with a media event on-site on January 24th. Hosted by Golf Channel's Matt Adams, invited guests will hear from Director of Golf at Ardglass Golf Club - Paul Vaughan, Tourism Ireland EVP - Alison Metcalfe, and Jason Straka of Fry/Straka Design - who will bring his vision and expertise to an exciting new course coming to Ireland's Ancient East.

Curracloe Links will break ground in February with a view to opening in 2026. Less than two hours from Dublin, the course, developed by the Neville Group, is located right next to the white sands of Curracloe Beach which was the filming location for Steven Spielberg's epic 'Saving Private Ryan'.

Jason Straka, Fry/Straka Design, "The ancient linksland of Curracloe Links, with its rolling hills, long sea views and rugged natural bunkers, will offer a quintessential Irish links experience and lure people from all over the world to its fairways."

More than 30 partners will represent Golf in Ireland on our stand/booth 3673, at the PGA Golf Merchandise Show in Orlando this week. The world's largest annual gathering of the golf industry, the PGA Show traditionally hosts golf industry professionals from around the world discovering the newest trends, technology, and destinations from exhibiting golf companies and brands.

Alison Metcalfe, Executive Vice President Tourism Ireland North America, "The PGA show provides an excellent opportunity for our golf partners to meet and do business with US golf professionals and industry partners, as well as highlight the unique nature of an Irish golf experience to media. The continued investment in golf, as seen with the Curracloe Links project, means Ireland will carry on offering an unforgettable, world class golfing experience, for our visitors."

Ms. Metcalfe continued, "The US golf market remains a priority for Tourism Ireland, and we continue to promote the island of Ireland as a leading golf destination. Golf is the world's largest sports-related travel market and Tourism Ireland, together with our partners Failte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, is working hard to drive home the message that a golfing vacation on the island of Ireland is about much more than a round of 18 holes - the combination of our world-class links, located all around the island of Ireland, and our unique brand of hospitality, plays a key role in attracting US golfers to visit."

Ireland will once again find itself at the center of the golf world in the coming years as it hosts two 'major' tournaments with The Open Championship returning to Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2025 and Adare Manor will be the venue for the Ryder Cup in 2027. The 2024 Amgen Irish Open will be played in September at the world-renowned Royal County Down Golf Club.

Ireland offers a fabulous array of signature links courses which includes Portmarnock, Lahinch, Rosapenna, Ballyliffin and others, but there is also an equally unique opportunity to discover outstanding alternatives such as Carne, Westport, Dooks, Castlerock and Connemara. Here, the US golfer will find epic new experiences and courses that will keep visitors coming back for more.

Getting to Ireland is also easy with non-stop flights available from 18 gateways across the US this summer to Dublin. Flights will also operate from New York, Boston and Chicago to and from Shannon. Both Irish airports boast US Immigration Preclearance which means visitors will return to the US as domestic passengers.