The potential is there” for the 2027 Ryder Cup to be “world class”, but Limerick needs to be “ready” to take full advantage as the tournament slips into view, according to a Limerick council executive.

In September of this year, following the conclusion of the Ryder Cup in New York, the focus of the golfing world will be squarely on Limerick with the countdown commencing to the centenary tournament in 2027.

Now, the council team tasked with working with Adare Manor, Ryder Cup Europe and the Irish government to deliver the huge golf tournament have outlined their hopes that it will be “another best” for the blue riband tournament.

Already, 25 working groups have been set up to work on the event, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to see some of the world’s finest golfers take part in the bi-annual Europe v USA competition.

“It gives you an idea of the level of work involved in running this event,” Elaine O’Connor, the local authority’s Ryder Cup 2027 co-ordinator told councillors this week.

Separately, council deputy director general, Gordon Daly, has revealed Limerick has secured a “key win” following its early talks with government over the tournament, to ensure it’s not only Adare Manor which will be front and centre of the marketing but Limerick too.

“When the tournament logo was first drafted, it read Adare Manor-Ireland. We lobbied for Limerick to be included. So when people are talking about this event, they talk about Adare, Limerick and Ireland interchangeably. The big legacy will be positioning Limerick globally,” he said.

As a curtain raiser to the main event in Adare, Ballyneety Golf Club will play host to the Junior Ryder Cup.

Given Ireland’s huge interest in golf, Ms O’Connor has said the expectation is that it will be the largest in history.

Mr Daly revealed there will be a whole programme of events in 2027 “for the entire city and county”.

“And I want to stress that. People who recall the Special Olympics and the way the country got energised around that, we’d look at something around that similar concept,” he said.

In the briefing – the first made to councillors since Ms O’Connor took up her post – it was acknowledged that many spectators will need to travel in from different parts of the country.

“We are looking at a two-hour drive time to the event because of the volume of accommodation that is needed. We are looking at the likes of Tralee, Killarney, Cork, Galway and Dublin realistically.

“We are talking about a four-star, five-star audience. We don’t have that on offer in Limerick in terms of quantity,” the council co-ordinator added.

She also admitted getting people into the city centre is “a very challenging scenario” given the fact a typical day of golf at Adare Manor will kick off at 7.35am and go until late.

“It’s not like a match where it’s 90 minutes, 80 minutes, 70 minutes. The key will be our festivals and events programme. What will bring people in on their day off from golf, or what will attract their families who are visiting, but not attending the golf?” she asked.

The fact Limerick is a less populous city in a smaller country than previous European Ryder Cup hosts also brings its own challenges, Ms O’Connor admitted.

“But the vision for the Ryder Cup for Limerick is that the everyday energy of Limerick delivers the best welcome in a reimagined destination of the future. Against the backdrop of a world-class green eco-system delivering the most sustainable Ryder Cup event,” she added.

It is hoped the Limerick to Foynes road, which will include a bypass of Adare, will be ready in time for 2027.

The link is seen as vital to remove passing traffic from the village.

“But there will also be a very strong Plan B if it is not, and we’ll have to manage with that,” she said.

Ms O’Connor added talks are ongoing with Irish Rail for the firm to open passenger services in the village for the tournament.

And suburban park-and-ride sites are also being examined to ease the path of visitors in getting to Limerick and to Adare Manor.

From the Limerick Leader.

Photo: Limerick council’s Ryder Cup co-ordinator Elaine O’Connor and the deputy director general Gordon Daly.