Irish Open 2018: getting there, tickets, tee times - all you need to know
Donegal set to welcome biggest names in golf this week
Last updated 3rd Jul 2018
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, hosted by the Rory Foundation, is the biggest sporting event ever to come to the shores of Donegal.
Rory McIlroy plays host as no less than 155 golfers as some of the world's elite aim to hit the ground running before heading to The 147th Open at Carnoustie.
McIlroy along with Darren Clarke, Paul Dunne, Padraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley, will be joined at Ballyliffin Golf Club by an impressive line-up of international players.
Leading those will be World Number Five Jon Rahm, as the Spaniard aims to defend the prestigious title he won at Portstewart a year ago.
Getting there
Over 100,000 golf fans are expected to descend upon the stunning links course in Inishowen over the four days of the tournament.
Ballyliffin is Ireland's most Northerly Golf Club - exactly 10 miles due South of Malin Head (Irelands most northerly point!)
Travelling from Derry~Londonderry (and Belfast) the quickest route is to cross the Foyle Bridge then take the A2 towards Moville, turning off for Carndonagh at Quigley's Point/Carrowkeel. Ballyliffin is 6 miles (10 km) beyond Carndonagh.
When?
Wednesday 4 July: Pro-Am
Thursday 5 July: Day One
Friday 6 July: Day Two
Saturday 7 July: Day Three
Sunday 8 July: Day Four
Celebrities taking part in the star-studded Pro-Am
Former Manchester City and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given, Donegal’s GAA Football Captain Michael Murphy and record-breaking Champion Jockey AP McCoy are just three of a host of names representing the world of sport.
BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing veteran Anton du Beke, singers Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, and critically acclaimed actors Jamie Dornan and James Nesbitt will also be among the celebrities taking part.
Parking
There will be free public parking available for spectators travelling, divided into two areas at the Golf club.
Information on the event including travel is also available on www.donegalcoco.ie and on @DonegalCoCo on Facebook at @DonegalCouncil on Twitter
Weather
Entertainment
Fans will be treated to a festival of music as country star Nathan Carter headlines the ‘Glashedy Sessions’ on the Friday night of the tournament. A host of exciting local bands will also entertain the crowds at the Glashedy Stage, including popular four-piece the Logues and regular favourites the Groove Robbers.
Other musicians lined up to perform during the week include US-based singer songwriter Ben Glover from Glenarm, Jack McNaul from Coleraine, Triona from Downpatrick and Ricky Lorimer from Portstewart.
Tickets
Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation are on sale at www.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com and begin at €20 for Pro-Am Wednesday, with tickets for Thursday and Friday costing €32 and day tickets for the weekend costing €34 each. An adult season souvenir ticket, which covers five days of world class golf from Wednesday to Sunday, costs €110.
Concessions are available for customers aged over 60 and between 14 and 17, while children up to 13 are permitted free entry when accompanied by a ticket holding adult.
Official Hospitality tickets are also available.
A portion of all ticket sales will go directly to the Rory Foundation which supports children’s charities around the world.
Tee Times
Tee times will be displayed here when they are made available.