The Irish Open is certainly taking to the road with the European Tour announcing today the 2015 event will be staged at Royal Country Down while the 2017 event will also be in Northern Ireland at the Loch Erne Resort course.

The European Tour today confirmed that the Irish Open will return to Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2017, with Royal County Down Golf Club hosting next year’s event from May 28-31, 2015, followed by Lough Erne Resort in three years’ time.

It will be the first time in 76 years that the Irish Open has been played at the world famous Royal County Down in Newcastle, Co. Down, as Northern Ireland hosts the event for only the second time in the last 60 years, following the hugely successful 2012 edition at Royal Portrush.

Record crowds watched Jamie Donaldson’s victory at Royal Portrush two years ago, making it The European Tour’s first ‘sold out’ tournament.

Now, following an agreement between The European Tour, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the event will return to Northern Ireland for the 11th time next year, before heading back to the country in 2017 when Lough Erne Resort, in Enniskillen, Fermanagh, hosts an Irish Open for the first time.

Royal County Down where first time visitors walk backwards up the first fairway admiring the view of the Mourne Mtns.

Royal County Down Golf Club was recently voted fourth on Golf Digest’s 2014 list of the World’s Top 100 Courses, underlining its reputation on the global golfing stage.

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “The Irish Open at Royal Portrush in 2012 captured the imagination of the country after a lengthy absence, and we are delighted to confirm today that the tournament will be back in Northern Ireland next year, at another magnificent links venue in Royal County Down, before returning again in 2017 at Lough Erne Resort.

“We must acknowledge the vision and commitment of First Minister Peter Robinson, Minister Arlene Foster, and their colleagues within the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to secure the return of the Irish Open to Northern Ireland in 2015 and 2017, which further underlines the country’s presence on the world stage following the outstanding achievements of its players in recent years.

“Indeed, it was Rory McIlroy’s inspired suggestion to me during the 2013 BMW Masters in China that proved to be the catalyst for today’s announcement, and we are confident that our players will relish the chance to compete for the Irish Open title at this iconic links course next year.”

Making the announcement at Royal County Down Golf Club, First Minister the Rt. Hon. Peter D Robinson, MLA said: “When Northern Ireland hosted the 2012 Irish Open we staged an incredibly successful event, which not only exceeded our own expectations but it also became the first European Tour event in history to sell out.

“More than 130,000 spectators travelled to the north coast to see the world’s golfing elite in action and the feel-good factor that it generated created a huge sense of civic pride. I have no doubt that next year’s event at Royal County Down will be equally successful.

“In addition to having three major golfing champions, Northern Ireland is home to arguably the best concentration of great golf courses in the world. With the Irish Open secured for 2015 and 2017, we look forward to building on the legacy of events such as the Irish Open in Royal Portrush in 2012, last year’s highly successful G8 Summit and the World Police and Fire Games.”

The deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “The 2015 Irish Open being staged at Royal County Down and 2017 Irish Open at the Lough Erne Golf course is tremendous news not just for golf fans but for all of us.

“Securing the 2015 and 2017 competitions will be a significant boost for the tourism industry and wider economy. The success of local golfers on the international stage offers us the perfect platform to promote the north of Ireland.

“I thank The European Tour for their vote of confidence. High profile sporting events like the Irish Open generates global exposure and the Executive is determined to play its part in making the events a resounding success. The Executive supported Royal Portrush in 2012, which had record breaking attendances, and I am confident the 2015 and 2017 competitions will be just as successful.”

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster said: “We proved that Northern Ireland makes the ideal venue for top flight golf tournaments when we staged the record breaking 2012 Irish Open.

“Royal County Down is a spectacular course and the spectacular scenery around the coast will provide a wonderful backdrop for coverage of next year’s tournament. I very much welcome The European Tour’s decision to stage the Irish Open at Lough Erne in three years’ time. Having already played host to the some of the world’s most powerful leaders during the G8 summit last year, it will now host some of the world’s greatest golfers.”

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, added: “Attracting the Irish Open back in 2015 and 2017 as part of a four-year deal with The European Tour has been a key part of our events strategy since we proved so successfully in 2012 that Northern Ireland is a fantastic host for this championship. The spectators, the organisers and the public came together to stage a record-breaking event here and I have no doubt that both Royal County Down and Lough Erne will provide an equally exhilarating experience for everyone in 2015 and 2017.

“The return of the Irish Open to Northern Ireland further boosts our efforts to grow domestic and overnight visitor numbers and spend, and build our capacity to host other major national and international events. Hosting the Irish Open will further consolidate our reputation as a golf destination and we will be maximising the opportunity not only to showcase our world-class golf, but other aspects of Northern Ireland such as our scenery, food, music and other attractions.”

Dr Peter Brown, Captain of Royal County Down Golf Club, said: “Royal County Down is delighted to have been asked to host the Irish Open from May 28-31, 2015.  We look forward to welcoming members of The European Tour to our world famous links which we believe will provide a good test of golf.  We also hope that many golf supporters will come to Newcastle to watch top quality golf and take in the wonderful natural setting that Royal County Down enjoys.”

Ferghal Purcell, General Manager of Lough Erne Resort, said: “We are delighted and privileged to be selected as host of The 2017 Irish Open, a major sporting celebration and something that will be of enormous benefit in showcasing the beauty, the facilities and the hospitality of this wonderful part of the world.

“The Irish Open 2017 at Lough Erne Resort will be good for the Resort, good for Fermanagh and good for Northern Ireland. We will endeavour to host an Irish Open to make Northern Ireland proud.”