Portrush Gears Up for The Open: Community Drop-in Ignites Excitement

Yesterday, Tourism Northern Ireland played its part in a vibrant community drop-in event in Portrush, setting the stage for the much-anticipated return of The Open this summer.

The 153rd Open is scheduled to take place at Royal Portrush Golf Club between July 13 and 20, promising a thrilling celebration of golf on the North Coast.

Key partners behind the event hosted an engaging information session at Portrush Town Hall, inviting local residents, business owners, and community groups to explore plans for the championship. Information boards highlighted a range of opportunities, from community involvement and volunteering to local business support, skills development, legacy initiatives, and economic benefits. While some traffic and transport details were shared, a follow-up engagement on these arrangements is set for May.

The day also marked the launch of an innovative Open industry toolkit by Tourism Northern Ireland, developed in collaboration with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and The R&A. Designed to help local businesses make the most of the championship, the toolkit offers practical tips, useful links, and information on getting involved—and will continue to be updated over the coming months. It is available online for all who are interested.

Looking ahead, Tourism Northern Ireland is gearing up to host a ‘Get Open Ready’ webinar on February 25, welcoming businesses and individuals eager to be part of the event.

Hannah Lynch, Project Manager at The R&A, remarked, “The community drop-in event was an important opportunity for residents and local businesses to hear more about our plans for The Open this summer and the benefits it can provide to those who live and work in the town and surrounding area. Engaging with the local community is crucial to staging the Championship and we are grateful for the support we have received so far.”

Echoing the enthusiasm, Eimear Hone, Major Events Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland, added, “The 148th Open at Royal Portrush was the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland at the time, bringing huge benefits not just to the North Coast but to the whole of Northern Ireland. The 153rd Open is shaping up to be even bigger and we are working closely with our partners and local agencies to ensure it is another memorable occasion and a true celebration of golf for all. It was great to see so many local residents and members of the business community at the drop-in session where they were able to access the latest event updates and learn about the vast array of opportunities to get involved.”

With such enthusiastic community engagement and forward-thinking initiatives, the countdown to The Open has truly begun, promising a summer full of excitement and opportunity for everyone involved.

Picture Credit - Tourism Northern Ireland