AN INCREASE in golf tourism has boosted passenger numbers at Shannon Airport.
Management at Shannon Airport have confirmed that a “steady increase” in passengers are travelling to the International Airport solely for the purpose of golfing in the West of Ireland.
While the exact numbers were not quantified by management, trans-Atlantic flights in particular have witnessed a noticeable increase in golfers on board.
In response to the growing numbers of golfers heading to Shannon Airport, an additional baggage belt specifically for golf clubs will be installed by the end of this year.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Airport Director at Shannon Airport, Niall Kearns explained, “Golf tourism has always been really important from a regional perspective in Shannon, we’ve wonderful golf courses on the west coast of Ireland and obviously with the Ryder Cup that has peaked, we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of golf tourists who have come through.
“Part of the significant infrastructure works that we’re doing over the next number of months will be to increase our baggage capacity for processing golf clubs upon their arrival so it will really improve the facilities for the arriving passengers with the golf clubs and set them off on a really good golfing holiday in the west coast of Ireland”.
Niall confirmed that this additional baggage belt will be installed in the baggage hall of Shannon Airport “towards the end of this year”. He added, “we will be well positioned for the winter but going into next summer and we’ll be ready for 2027 with the Ryder Cup”.
Passengers are often arriving in Shannon Airport and heading straight to the golf course, he flagged. “On a lot of the transatlantic flights we’d have between thirty and fifty sets of golf clubs which gives an idea for any of the flights arriving in the early hours of the morning. We see buses and taxis picking people up and bringing them off to the various golf courses with golfers very eager to start hitting their first ball in Ireland”.
With Trump Doonbeg the leading contender to host next year’s Irish Open with Lahinch Golf Club becoming only the third Irish venue to host The Walker Cup next September plus Dromoland’s rising reputation off the back of the Women’s Irish Open and Adare Manor getting set for the 2027 Ryder Cup, there is further potential for golf tourism to grow in the region, Niall maintained. “We’re the gateway here to the Wild Atlantic Way in terms of the golfing traffic, the access to connectivity and the transatlantic routes, making it easy for those passengers to set off on their way and have a great golfing holiday in Ireland”.
