Exclusive car park plans for Irish Open golf fans

19 June 2024

LOCAL politicians will tonight be asked to make two local authority car parks available for the exclusive use of spectators attending this year’s Amgen Irish Open.

Some of the world’s top golfers will be tackling the stunning Royal County Down links course as the tournament makes a welcome return to the area, with the action getting underway on September 12.

Last held in 2015 in the resort, planning is well underway for an event first played in 1927 and coveted by some of the world’s best golfers.

The Irish Open is one of the most celebrated national opens, with a list of former champions that includes Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal,

Bernhard Langer and Sam Torrance.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council has been liaising with tournament organiser DP World Tour alongside the PSNI, Department for Infrastructure and Translink on devising a traffic management plan to cope with the thousands of spectators making their way to the famous links course.

Members of the local authority’s Sustainability and Environment Committee will be told at their monthly meeting this evening that the tournament organiser is requesting the use of the Downs Road car park, the closest one to the course, and the grass area at the rear of Donard Park.

A grass area at the Downs Road is also being reserved for people attending church services, while a park and ride scheme will be in operation at the outdoor Northfield Bible site at the Dundrum Road.

Councillors will be told tonight that the parking area in Donard Park will be used by people travelling from Kilkeel into Newcastle via South Promenade, with access via an existing entrance at Shanslieve Drive.

Tour organisers have asked for the use of the Downs Road given its close proximity to Royal County Down and will be used for both parking and a -off area.

Tournament organisers are also keen on utilising Downs Road as it significantly minimises the number of public crossing points over main roads for spectators attending the event who use the park and ride facility.

The Downs Road will also be used for the use of sponsors, dignitaries and VIPs, while the strip of grassland is reserved for church parking and people attending what are being described as any “unforeseen events” such as funerals.

Committee members will be told tonight that the strip of land can accommodate 35 vehicles.

For the duration of the tournament, the car parks required by the event organisers will be staffed by Amgen Irish Open personnel and returned to their original condition when the event concludes.

The local council recently joined forces with Tourism NI to tee off a special event to highlight what’s happening across the district in the run-up to the Irish Open.

One man local golf fans are keen to see in action is Rory McIlroy, who finished runner-up in the US Open on Sunday.

The fan favourite McIlroy is no stranger to the links course which has been voted the best in the world. He played in the 2015 Irish Open at Royal County Down and represented Great Britain & Ireland at the 2007 Walker Cup at the stunning links at the foothills of the Mournes.

This September, McIlroy will be joined by another Irish favourite and former British Open winner Shane Lowry.

As the DP Tour event prepares to roll into Newcastle, the local authority and Tourism NI are keen to make the most of the opportunity it presents to showcase local golf courses, available accommodation and packaged experiences during the tournament itself.

McIlroy will be bidding for his second Irish Open crown after claiming victory at The K Club in 2016.

Ahead of September’s spectacular, the former world number one said that since making his first appearance at the Irish Open nearly 20 years ago, it has been such a special tournament to play in, but it will be doubly so for him this time round.

“I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity play in this year’s Irish Open at a venue so close to home. Royal County Down is a fantastic venue and I still have some great memories from the 2007 Walker Cup,” he said.

“The crowds are always so supportive of all the Irish golfers taking part and the atmosphere is unlike any other we have at a golf tournament. Time and time again the fans prove that they are some of the best in the world and I can’t wait to see them out in support of us again.”

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