Claret Jug to visit Tullamore

Tourism Northern Ireland is bringing golf’s most famous trophy – the Claret Jug – to the home county of the 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year, Shane Lowry, this May.

Tullamore, County Offaly has been chosen as one of the destinations the tourism body’s ‘Epic Journey to The 153^rd Open’ will visit ahead of golf’s original Championship teeing off at Royal Portrush this July.

This free public event will showcase how Northern Ireland is “Made for Golf” and will take place on Wednesday, May 21^st at O’Connor Square. With just over 50 days until the start of The Open, sports fans will have the chance to take selfies with the famous Claret Jug and Tourism NI’s #TheOpen giant letters.

The Epic Journey to The Open teed off at Belfast City Hall on April 28^th, ahead of travelling to Kerr Street Green in Portrush on May 2^nd and then the short chip shot to Derry’s Ebrington Square on May 7^th, before the scorecard is totted up in Tullamore.

With record breaking numbers in 2019, The 148^th Open at Royal Portrush was an overwhelming success story with Shane Lowry playing his way into the folklore of the famous links course.

The action was beamed to over 100 million viewers worldwide and the Championship generated over £100 million (€121 million) in economic benefit for the region.

Aine Kearney, Tourism NI Director of Events, said the Championship created a tangible feel-good factor when it last took place in 2019.

She said: “Northern Ireland is ready to extend a giant welcome to thousands of visitors from around the globe for The 153^rd Open and to showcase the stunning Causeway Coast, and beyond, to a worldwide television audience.

“Taking the Claret Jug to Tullamore, in honour of Shane Lowry’s victory in 2019, as part of our Epic Journey to The Open means more people can get involved in the build-up and excitement.

“Northern Ireland is Made for Golf and hosting The 153^rd Open solidifies our reputation as a destination for world-class golf, tourism and hospitality and allows us to showcase our rich culture, natural beauty and warm welcome to visitors from around the world.”

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The Epic Journey to The Open will also include a giant #TheOpen letter installation, made out of 4,000 golf balls, which was unveiled by global golfing hero and 2014 Champion Golfer of the Year, Rory McIlroy, ahead of the 2019 Championship.