Co Clare is preparing to take centre stage as two major golf events tee off next month.
The eyes of the golfing world will turn to Clare as the county prepares to host two of the sport’s most prestigious events on consecutive weekends.
Many of the world’s leading professional golfers will descend on Doonbeg for the Amgen Irish Open, while Lahinch will host one of the biggest team competitions in amateur golf.
The 51st Walker Cup will take place at Lahinch Golf Club on 5 and 6 September, when teams from Great Britain and Ireland and the United States go head-to-head.
A few days later, Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg will host the Amgen Irish Open from 10 to 13 September.
US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Doonbeg for the final day of the tournament.
The two events are expected to bring significant visitor numbers to Clare, while also placing the county’s coastline, golf courses and tourism offering before a global audience.
The Irish Open was last staged in Clare at Lahinch in 2019, when more than 100,000 visitors attended the tournament, generating a significant economic, social and media impact for the region.
Clare County Council is playing a central role in preparations for this year’s events, coordinating local infrastructure, supporting event logistics and promoting the county as a destination for sport and tourism.
The local authority has been working closely with Doonbeg Community Development Ltd since the announcement that the Irish Open would be staged at the west Clare resort.
Major champions and former Open winners Shane Lowry and Pádraig Harrington are just two of the stars who will compete in the Amgen Irish Open in Doonbeg
Among the events planned around the tournament is the Doonbeg Fáilte Fest, which will take place in the village from Friday, 11 September to Sunday, 13 September.
The festival will feature live music on a main stage, entertainment for children and families, and a large screen showing the golfing action.
Parking will also be available in the village.
Clare County Council is continuing to work with Doonbeg Community Development and An Garda Síochána on arrangements for the festival and the wider event.
It said significant improvement works have also been carried out in the area ahead of the tournament, including works at Lakeview Park in partnership with Doonbeg Tidy Towns.
Investment has also been made in the road network serving the Doonbeg area.
The Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Killeen, said the two competitions presented a major opportunity to showcase the county to audiences at home and abroad.
“I have no doubt that the 2026 Irish Open and Walker Cup competitions will prove memorable occasions for players, spectators and the local communities alike at stunning locations like Doonbeg and Lahinch,” he said.
Chief Executive of Clare County Council Gordon Daly said the events highlighted both the strength of local partnerships and the appeal of Clare as a sporting and tourism destination.
“The staging of the 2026 Irish Open in Doonbeg and Walker Cup in Lahinch is a testament to the strength of our local partnerships in Co Clare and the appeal of our county’s natural and cultural assets,” he said.
“These major sporting events will deliver a significant boost to the local economy, supporting businesses, tourism providers and local communities.”
He added that local organisations and volunteers would play an important role in creating a memorable experience for visitors.
With two major international tournaments taking place within days of each other, Clare is preparing for what is expected to be one of the biggest sporting periods in the county in 2026.
Read more: Trump set to travel to Doonbeg for Irish Open next month