Feature
Ireland set for place in shop window
Paul Gallagher
31/07/06: With just over six weeks until the Ryder Cup rolls into town, Ireland is gearing up to be placed in the global shop window when it plays host to one of the biggest sporting events seen anywhere in the world.
When the best players from Europe and America come to the K-Club in September (22nd-24th) to compete in the three-day team event, the sporting showcase will set unprecedented levels of interest with tourism spin-offs expected to ripple through to every part of this small island. The event will be worth an estimated €130million to the economy.
Tickets to the Ryder Cup are virtually impossible to come by at this stage, having been snapped up months and years in advance, just as finding a bed anywhere in county Dublin for the last weekend in September is an equally difficult task.
"Outside of the Olympics and the World Cup Cup the Ryder Cup is next in terms of magnitude. We are fortunate that Ireland has the capacity and desire to host such a high profile and prestigious sporting event," explains Damian Ryan, Director of Golf with Failte Ireland. The event will be an unrivaled tourism opportunity, particularly as a golf destination, as a potential TV audience of one billion viewers will tune in across 150 countries.
The GAA recognised the impact the Ryder Cup will have and for only the third time in their history they have moved this year's All-Ireland final forward by one week so as not to clash with proceedings at the Kildare venue.
At least 40,000 spectators are expected at the K-Club each day and to ensure ease of access park and ride facilities from nearby Palmerstown and Westin Airport will be in use to shuttle those lucky enough with tickets to and from the venue. At present, those not attending will only be able to view the action on Sky Sports – and not the terrestrial channels – because the pay TV company holds exclusive broadcasting rights with the organisers, the European Tour and Ryder Cup Limited.
In terms of accommodation and travel packages visitors will undoubtedly pay over the odds, such is the demand for this event. For example at the top end a five-day package, which includes accommodation at the luxury five-star Dromoland Castle, tickets and transport to the K-Club plus merchandising gifts, costs just over €7000. A five-day package at the three-star Towers Hotel in Dublin comes in at just under €3000.
However Failte Ireland stated that approved accommodation providers cannot exceed the maximum rate they submitted before the start of 2006. Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that a sample of 50 hotels in the Dublin and Leinster area had an average maximum rate increase of 24 per cent.
"This doesn't indicate that maximum prices will be charged but it does give the ceiling beyond which no accommodation provider can go," explains Shaun Quinn at Failte Ireland. "In light of the supply and demand considerations around the Ryder Cup an average of 24 per cent is not unreasonable. And a number of hotels in Dublin have increased their rates by less than 10 per cent."
It seems no price is too high to catch a glimpse of golfing idols such as Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson in action. This year Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley are expected to make the European team. And should the likes of Graeme McDowell earn his place Irish golfers could in theory make-up one quarter of the team. It's little wonder then that such high levels of demand and anticipation surround Ireland's first ever staging of golf's blue riband event.