Royal Portrush Golf Club hosts the Irish Open in June 2012

Northern Ireland is set to stage a professional golf tournament once again with the news that Royal Portrush Golf Club has been named as the new home of the Irish Open between the 28th June and 1st July 2012.

It would be the first time the competition has been played at Royal Portrush, which is among the highest rated courses in the UK and Ireland, since 1947.

The decision to move the European Tour event north from Killarney, Co Kerry, in the Irish Republic comes on the back of the achievements of Northern Ireland's three major winners in the last two years. Darren Clarke's victory in the Open Championship at Sandwich 2011 followed the successive US Open victories of Graeme McDowell in 2010 & Rory McIlroy in 2011. Two-time Open champion Pádraig Harrington is also a Royal Portrush member.

Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke have homes in Portrush and McDowell, Clarke & McIlroy have all backed the bid to bring the Irish Open to Northern Ireland's famous links course at Portrush.

Graeme McDowell on Twitter says "Fantastic news on the Irish Open 2012 coming to Royal Portrush. Always been a dream of mine to play a top event in my home town."

Darren Clarke on Twitter says "Royal Portrush will be awesome for the Irish Open this year...it's as good a test as we play anywhere! Brilliant news. Big crowds please!!"

Property Owner in Portrush? Demand for hotel rooms, B&B rooms and house / apartment rental in Portrush is exceeding high due to the Irish Open coming to Portrush. This site has seen a huge increase in number of site visitors seeking information about the Irish Open at Royal Portrush and accommodation in the area. If you own or manage a Hotel, Guest House, Bed & Breakfast or self-catering property in Portrush and are interested in having your property listed on the Where to Stay page, please contact us for more details.