Mayor of Limerick John Moran also talks all things Ryder Cup, with hopes of passenger trains to Adare.

ADARE Manor staff are “sharpening the axe” and getting ready for what its owner, JP McManus, hopes will be “the best Ryder Cup ever” in 2027.

Only two-and-a-half years now stand between Limerick and the glitzy tournament. There have been talks between Mayor John Moran and Irish Rail in an effort to ensure there are regular train services into Adare to serve the thousands upon thousands of visitors set to descend on the fairways.

McManus spoke to the Leader after his five-star hotel was voted the best resort in Europe for the third straight year by readers of prestigious magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

Saying that “preparations are going very well”, he spoke of what he expects for Adare Manor ahead of the internationally-acclaimed USA v Europe golf tournament.

“We don’t want time to go a-begging, we want to use every day we have and try to make it the greatest experience and the best Ryder Cup ever!“It is a big ask, but we are going to do our best.”

In a further boost to the tournament, Mayor John Moran has opened talks with Irish Rail bosses to bring trains through Adare village in time for the tournament. He said he believed Irish Rail personnel think “it is possible” to serve the village in time for the huge golfing-event.

“They think it’s possible to do,” Mayor Moran said. “The next problem is, can we get the prioritisation of funding from the new transport budget to allow it to happen?”

He wants to see the rail line open to passengers by January 2027 in order to service staff travelling to Adare Manor in preparation for the Ryder Cup. The Limerick to Foynes rail line is in the process of being rebuilt, initially for freight services from the port village.

But there are hopes that passenger services could also resume on the line, which has been closed since 2001.

Photo: JP McManus, Mayor John Moran and representatives of Limerick City and County
Council pictured with the Ryder Cup when visited in June
From the Limerick Leader.