TRUMP DOONBEG has been confirmed as the official venue for the 2026 Irish Open.
It will be the second time Co Clare welcomes The Irish Open to the county. Lahinch Golf Club successfully hosted the 2019 Irish Open which was won by Jon Rahm.
On Wednesday, Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg was confirmed as the destination for the tournament under DP World Tour’s 2026 schedule which takes place from September 10th to 13th. It may become the first Irish Open attended by a US President with Donald Trump receiving an “open invitation” from Taoiseach Micheál Martin (FF) to visit Ireland while the tournament is held.
Last month, The Clare Echo reported that the five-star resort in West Clare was the leading contender to host next year’s Irish Open.
Co Clare will be the centre of the golfing world next September with Lahinch becoming only the third Irish course to host the Walker Cup which will be played on September 5th and 6th. Thirty kilometres separate Lahinch Golf Club and Trump Doonbeg, the combined hosting of both events will be a major lift to the hospitality and tourism industry in the county.
Over 100,000 visitors were in Lahinch for the 2019 Irish Open and Doonbeg will be hopeful of a similar surge. Rory McIlroy winning The Irish Open last week following a play-off at The K Club has added to the reputation of the tournament which is part of The European Tour. He now has the prospect of defending his title in West Clare.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) said, “The Irish Open is one of the most significant sporting events on the island, and its return to Clare is a huge endorsement of what our county has to offer. Doonbeg is a stunning location, and I have no doubt that the 2026 tournament will be a memorable occasion for players, spectators, and the local community alike”.
Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Gordon Daly said they look forward to working with tournament organisers, Fáilte Ireland, and local stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the event in 2026. “The Irish Open will provide a welcome boost to the local economy, support job creation and enhance Clare’s reputation on the international stage. We are committed to maximising the long-term benefits for communities in west Clare and across the county”.
Daly added, “We are proud of the role the council and local community played in supporting the very successful 2019 Irish Open in Lahinch, which demonstrated the capacity of Clare to host major international events. The announcement of Doonbeg as the 2026 host venue is a testament to the strength of our local partnerships and the appeal of our county’s natural and cultural assets”.
More than €40m has been invested in Doonbeg by the Trump organisation since the resort came under its ownership in Februrary 2014. It has received several awards as a destination venue for the sport, without previously attracting a significant professional event.
