Portmarnock In The Frame as Fingal Officials Attend Portrush Open

The presence of senior Fingal County Council officials at last week’s Open Championship in Portrush has added momentum to growing speculation that Portmarnock Golf Club could soon join the Open rota.

Invited by the R&A, the Fingal delegation visited Royal Portrush on Friday, meeting officials in the Trophy Room hospitality suite and getting a close look at the scale of operations required to stage the major tournament. They were also due to meet representatives from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, who managed the off-course infrastructure.

R&A Chief Executive Mark Darbon confirmed Portmarnock is under serious consideration. “We think it’s a wonderful links golf course and we’ve been really encouraged by the support that we’ve had in principle from the Irish government,” he said. “We’re knee deep in feasibility work to help us answer that question fully. We expect to have a clearer picture by the back end of this year.”

Asked whether a future Open at Portmarnock would come at Portrush’s expense, Darbon replied: “Absolutely not. This has become a critically important site for us and has the benefit now of proving it can stage wonderful Open Championships.”

Despite that assurance, concerns remain that if Portmarnock joins the rota, it could delay Portrush’s next hosting opportunity and the economic boost that comes with it.

While insiders suggest 2030 could be a target year for Portmarnock, no official decisions have been made.