Businessman JP McManus is looking for an extra €30 million in taxpayer money for the Ryder Cup, which will take place in Limerick’s Adare Manor in 2027.

But is the competition actually lucrative enough to warrant such a high level of State investment?

President of the Irish Hotels Federation Michael Magner said it “absolutely” is.

Luke Donald celebrates with his Ryder Cup team-mates, © PA Wire/PA Images

“This is an opportunity of the few days of the Ryder Cup to showcase not just Adare, not just Limerick, Munster, but indeed Ireland to potentially 600 million households right across the world,” he told The Hard Shoulder.

“In terms of the economic benefit that a global event like this could bring to Ireland, just to put it into context, when the initial projections of economic spin-off from the Ryder Cup was outlined a number of years ago, it was expected to be €160 million.

“It’s going to be far in excess of that now.

“In addition to that, apart from putting Ireland out to a global audience – and remember, we rely on international visitors coming to the country – but the legacy element of it that goes on well beyond.”

According to Mr Magner, approximately 200,000 golfers come to visit Ireland every year, and “those numbers would be expected to grow on the back of the Ryder Cup”.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, reacts after winning in a playoff against Justin Rose after the final round at the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Accommodation manager and Accommodation for The Event Brian Higgins said that current research suggests that the economic benefits of the cup would very much be felt by the local community.

“Results from various surveys completed in the past all suggest that Ryder Cup attendees would much rather rent a house during the event, so as to fully experience local culture and immerse themselves within the local community,” he said.

“We’re extremely grateful to have the ability to help families living close to the Ryder Cup every year, it’s a real privilege.

“Being a family person myself, I realised the high income received from renting their home for local families can make a wonderful difference to people’s lives.”

Main imaeg: Credit author Dan Perry