Stars of sport and TV gather in Belfast to celebrate the 148th Open
Tourism chiefs also released a new video showcasing Northern Ireland
Last updated 1st Feb 2019
Stars from the worlds of sport, media, music, television and the arts gathered in Belfast on Thursday night for a gala event to celebrate the 148th Open.
The world's most famous, and oldest golf tournament will be held at Royal Portrush in July.
Over 300 guests packed into Titanic Belfast for a look ahead to the world-class competition.
There was a question and answer panel featuring horse-racing legend Sir AP McCoy, superbike champion Jonathan Rea and golf commentator Peter Alliss.
The Chief Executive of the Royal and Ancient, Martin Slumbers, was also there.
He credited the success of Northern Irish golfers in bringing The Open to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951.
"I think there's a couple of them who have been very much promoting Royal Portrush, and good on them - they are very proud Irish people, and very proud golfers. They are all looking forward to seeing Royal Portrush on the world stage.
"We always knew that Royal Portrush as a golf club was a course that would allow the best players in the world to perform. And then there was a great period of Irish golfers who performed so well, and with such pride, that all those things came together and in July it will be reality."
Tourism chiefs also used the event to showcase a new short cinematic film which they say celebrates Northern Ireland’s status as a world class tourism destination.