Council Welcomes The Return of The Amgen Irish Open

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted to support the return of the prestigious Amgen Irish Open in September. The highly anticipated golf tournament, set against the stunning backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, will take place in Royal County Down, Newcastle from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 September 2024, attracting golf enthusiasts and visitors from all over the world.

To assist businesses in preparing to welcome the Amgen Irish Open, the Council has hosted several successful business and tourism industry events. Each event has provided valuable insights and strategies to local retailers and accommodation providers on how to enhance their service offering to meet the specific needs of golf tourists in order to help them get ‘golf ready’! The ‘Unlocking Opportunities Through Retail Magic and Brand Alignment’ workshop offered inspirational ideas on low cost and no cost visual merchandising, to enable local businesses to optimise sales opportunities and benefit from the influx of visitors.

The Council has also curated a series of fringe events throughout the duration of the tournament designed to engage both golf enthusiasts, visitors and residents alike. These events aim to foster a lively atmosphere in Newcastle town centre which celebrates the spirit of the Amgen Irish Open while highlighting the town’s vibrant local culture, cuisine and entertainment. Among the attractions are a pop-up food village, showcasing the finest local produce, live music and performances featuring talent from across the district and a host of family activities and tourism experiences.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne emphasised the significance of the tournament for the district. "We are excited to welcome the Amgen Irish Open and competitors back to Newcastle,” he said. “This world-class event not only showcases our beautiful region but also brings substantial economic benefits to our local businesses and community. The Council is committed to making this year's tournament a memorable experience for all.” 

Cllr Byrne continued, “We are proud to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of the DP World Tour, Royal County Down, all our local businesses and the community in making events like the Amgen Irish Open a resounding success. The Amgen Irish Open is more than just a golf tournament; it's an opportunity for us to showcase the vibrant community in Newcastle and the wider Newry, Mourne and Down district area. We are dedicated to supporting our local businesses and letting people know that Newcastle is open for business, ensuring that everyone can take part in and benefit from this fantastic event. So I invite everyone to join in the celebrations and make the most of the exciting fringe events planned around the Amgen Irish Open.”

DP World Tour, Championship Director of the Amgen Irish Open Paul Gillmon said, “We are

excited to be heading to Royal County Down for this year’s Amgen Irish Open and we are thankful for the support of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights on the island of Ireland’s sporting calendar and having buy-in from partners such as the Council gives us a huge scope for success.

Mr Gillmon continued, “Newcastle is a vibrant town and I am in no doubt that it will provide the perfect setting for the Amgen Irish Open as we make our return to Royal County Down.”

For further information on the Amgen Irish Open please visit: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/things-to-do/golf