The seaside town of Newcastle is getting ready to welcome golf enthusiasts and families alike, as it hosts the Amgen Irish Open from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 September 2024. To coincide with the tournament Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will host a ‘Fringe Events’ programme, from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September 2024. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, our Fringe Events programme will offer something for everyone, making Newcastle the place to be this September.
Families, visitors, and the local community are in for a treat with a variety of engaging activities designed to entertain all ages. One of the main attractions of the ‘Fringe Events’ is the Pop-Up Food Village, located along Newcastle Promenade at the rear of the Newcastle Centre. This food haven will feature an eclectic mix of local cuisine, with stalls operated by local vendors and renowned chefs. Visitors can indulge in everything from gourmet street food to traditional local dishes, all while enjoying live music and breathtaking views of the Mourne Mountains - it is the perfect spot to relax, savour delicious food, and soak in the atmosphere!
For those golf enthusiasts who are not attending Royal County Down, you can catch all the live action as it unfolds on the big screen in the Event Hub, located at the rear of the Newcastle Centre.
Mixing creativity with fun, our Golf Art activity offers a unique experience that blends contemporary art with minigolf. This family-friendly event is sure to be a hit, providing a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some light-hearted competition while appreciating the artistic elements that make this activity truly one-of-a-kind.
If you are a foodie, then why not explore Newcastle’s culinary landscape with the Newcastle Food and Drink Tour. Led by blue badge guide Mairead Sweeney this immersive walking tour takes place on Saturday 14 September and will take you on a journey through the heart of Newcastle. From award-winning restaurants to hidden gems, meet passionate chefs and mixologists along the way, each stop providing a unique taste of the region’s finest produce.
Food lovers will not want to miss the Newcastle Restaurant Weekend, taking place from Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 September. This culinary celebration will showcase Newcastle’s thriving food and drink scene, with local restaurants, cafes and bars offering exclusive menus, special deals, and mouthwatering dishes crafted from the finest ingredients. Whether you are a passionate foodie or a cocktail enthusiast, this weekend promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “The Council is delighted to host the ‘Fringe Events’ in Newcastle during the Amgen Irish Open. With so much to see, taste, and do, the programme of ‘Fringe Events’ is set to be an unforgettable addition to this prestigious golf tournament. Whether you are here for the golf, the food, or simply to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, we warmly welcome you to be part of this fantastic weekend of events.”
For more information and a full schedule of events, visit https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/things-to-do/golf/fringe-events-in-newcastle
McIlroy's Hometown Return
Rory McIlroy will head home to Royal County Down as he eyes glory in the 2024 Amgen Irish Open. The four-time major winner McIlroy was born in Holywood, County Down, just an hour away from the famous course in Newcastle. Now, McIlroy and his good friend Shane Lowry will be the main attractions at Royal County Down for one of the DP World Tour’s top tournaments. The Irish Open is always a popular event and has been won by a host of illustrious names down the years. McIlroy and Lowry both have Irish Open titles on their glittering CVs while other recent champions include Jon Rahm, Paul Casey and Sergio Garcia.
Royal County Down: A Historic Venue
The tournament is being held on the Championship Links Course at the iconic Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. Royal County Down has hosted a number of illustrious events down the years including the Senior Open, the Amateur Championship, the Curtis Cup and the Walker Cup. It is considered one of the finest courses in world golf with Golf Digest ranking it top in its World's 100 Greatest Courses list for 2024. For the 2024 Irish Open, it will play to a par 71 and measure a maximum of 7,186 yards in length. Play for the opening two rounds began at 7:30am while the action will got underway at 9am over the weekend.
A Star-Studded Field
Home favourites McIlroy and Lowry headline the field and have both won this title in the past. McIlroy won the event at The K Club in 2016 while Lowry won it as an amateur at County Louth in 2009. Also involved is Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre who has enjoyed a breakout year on the PGA Tour, winning two big titles including the Scottish Open in July. Seamus Power, Erik van Rooyen, Guido Migliozzi, Nicolai Hojgaard, Ryan Fox and Padraig Harrington will also be involved. The full field can be found here while the tee times and groupings will be confirmed in Tuesday. The latest leaderboard from County Down can be found here.
McIlroy's Excitement for the Tournament
McIlroy said: “Since making my 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 me 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. 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.”
MacIntyre Aims for History
MacIntyre added: “I’m really looking forward to returning to Irish Open. It has been a great season so far and it would mean a lot to me to win another historic national open. I’ve not had the chance to play Royal County Down before. It’s one of those courses I have heard so many good things about, so I’m really excited for the week.”
A Strong Field for a Prestigious Tournament
Robert MacIntyre will bid to become the first player in history to win the Amgen Irish Open and Genesis Scottish Open in the same season when he tees it up at Royal County Down next month. The Scotsman will make his third appearance in the island of Ireland’s national open, from September 12-15, hoping to add another national open to his trophy cabinet after claiming his first PGA TOUR victory at the RBC Canadian Open in May and triumphing on home soil in July.
Tickets to see stars of the DP World Tour compete on what is regarded as one of the world’s best golf courses are selling fast and fans are urged to purchase soon to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be purchased here.
MacIntyre will go up against defending champion Vincent Norrman, who carded a final round 65 to win by one stroke at The K Club. The Swede claimed two victories in the space of just three starts last year, winning the Barbasol Championship and following that up with his Irish Open success. “I’m really excited to defend my Irish Open title,” said Norrman. “This will actually be my first title defence on Tour, so it should be a really special week at Royal County Down.”
Also joining them in Newcastle will be MacIntyre’s Ryder Cup teammate Nicolai Højgaard, who will look to finish his season strongly with a view to defending his DP World Tour Championship title in November.
The trio will join the likes of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Pádraig Harrington, Billy Horschel, Luke Donald and Ryan Fox in the field at Royal County Down, which is hosting the Irish Open for the first time since 2015.
A Special Week for McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is expected to fly in at the weekend to begin preparations for the Irish Open, the first time he will have played competitively in Northern Ireland for more than five years. The golfer will make his return to the north to take part in the Irish Open at Royal County Down, which runs from September 12-15. It will mark the first time he has played a competitive golf tournament in the north since 2019, when he missed the cut at The Open at Portrush. He also failed to make the cut two years previously at the Irish Open at Portstewart. Since then, the Irish Open has only been played north of the border on one occasion, at Galgorm Castle in 2020, but McIlroy did not play in the Covid affected year. The four-time Major champion McIlroy (34) will bid for a second Irish Open crown after claiming victory at The K Club in 2016.
Speaking earlier this year, McIlroy told of his delight at returning home. “Since making my 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 me this time round,” he said. “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. 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.”
A Stellar Pro-Am Lineup
Fellow former Irish Open winner, Major Champion and Ryder Cup star Shane Lowry is also set to compete as well as three-time Major Champion Pádraig Harrington, eight-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and four-time DP World Tour winner Ryan Fox.
RTÉ Late Late Show presenter Patrick Kielty, former rugby players Johnny Sexton and Tommy Bowe and actor James Nesbitt are to take part in this year’s Irish Open Pro Am on September 11. The line-up was extended last week to include Armagh’s Rían O’Neill and Jarlath Óg Burns as well as Armagh coach and former Kerry footballer Kieran Donaghy and former Ireland and Ulster rugby player Rory Best.
The Amgen Irish Open promises to be a thrilling event, with a star-studded field and a beautiful venue. Don’t miss out on the action!
