The USA Walker Cup team arrived through Clare’s Shannon Airport on Saturday, August 29, ahead of the tournament at Lahinch Golf Club this weekend.
The team arrived on a United Airlines flight from Newark as they prepare for the tournament, taking place from September 5 to 6.
The Walker Cup is a 10-man amateur team competition contested by the United States and Great Britain & Ireland every two years.
“It was a pleasure to welcome the USA Walker Cup Team on their arrival at Shannon Airport ahead of this weekend’s tournament in County Clare,” Vanessa McTigue, Commercial Director of The Shannon Airport Group, said.
“As Ireland’s Gateway to Golf, we’re proud to welcome players, supporters and golf fans from around the world as the Mid-West prepares to host a remarkable run of major golfing events over the coming year.
“It’s already been a busy summer for golf tourism, with enthusiasts arriving through Shannon to enjoy the almost 40 golf courses within a 90-minute drive of the airport, including some of the highest-ranked courses in the world.”
Susan Simpson, Head of Amateur Championships at The R&A, the organisers of the Walker Cup added: “Shannon Airport offers excellent connectivity from key cities in North America and across Europe, meaning players, officials and spectators can be on the ground and at the venue in just over an hour.
“That level of convenience, together with the quality of the golf and the welcome players and visitors receive on Ireland’s west coast, makes Lahinch a fantastic setting for the Walker Cup and we’re really looking forward to the weekend ahead.”
The 2026 Walker Cup is the first of two major golfing events taking place on Shannon Airport’s doorstep in September, with the Amgen Irish Open following at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg from September 9 to 13.
The one-year countdown to Ryder Cup 2027 at Adare Manor in Limerick also kicks off next month.
The Clare airport has emphasised that golf tourism remains one of Ireland’s most important international visitor segments, with North America widely regarded as the leading overseas source market.
Recent research by the Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association shows that over 70pc of their members’ clients originate from North America, underpinning the importance of strong transatlantic connectivity to the West of Ireland.
“Shannon Airport offers transatlantic services across five routes to four key US cities – New York, Newark, Boston and Chicago – which saw a 4pc increase in seat capacity this summer,” Ms McTigue said.
“Together with multiple connections to European hubs, ongoing investment in infrastructure and customer experience, and its strategic location on the Wild Atlantic Way, this means that Shannon Airport is well placed to support continued growth in golf tourism to the region.”
Shannon Airport is currently undergoing a €15 million investment programme aimed at enhancing the passenger experience, recently introducing dedicated out-of-gauge baggage handling facilities for oversized equipment, including golf bags.
The airport’s capacity to accommodate future growth, combined with its operational flexibility, including a 24/7 365-day operation and the absence of slot constraints, uniquely positions it to facilitate increased visitor numbers associated with major events in the years ahead.