‘Doing things right’: Shane Lowry on finance, GAA, and helping Dad through Stryker dealHe’s had a testing season but is more mature now, and is keenly aware of the importance of looking after Brand Lowry Thu, 10 Sep, 2026 – 02:38Martin Claffey, Doonbeg
It’s 17 years since Shane Lowry pulled off a stunning Irish Open victory in Co Louth as an amateur. The Offaly star is confident he can give Irish golf fans something to cheer about at Doonbeg this week — but he is already starting to cast an eye beyond golf.
“Golf has given me a great life and I’m fortunate to have done very well out of it, but I’m hoping that over the next five to 10 years, I’ll have some other business interests that I can dive into too,” Lowry told the Irish Examiner.
“Over the last couple of years, I’ve been taking a bit more of an interest than I used to and I’ve quite enjoyed looking after my own self and my money, doing the right things with it.
“I’ve done some private investment. I own a restaurant in Tullamore, the Old Warehouse. It’s the old Tullamore Dew distillery, we bought the building and turned it into a bar restaurant, it’s amazing.”
That’s not to say Lowry isn’t hellbent on winning the Irish Open at Doonbeg this week. “I want to have a chance on Sunday and to give the crowd something to shout about,” he said.
“Just watching Rory do what he did at the K Club last year, that makes me so jealous of him. I want to do that,” said the Offaly star, as he prepared for this year’s Irish Open first round at Doonbeg on Thursday.
He has had a testing season, but he’s more mature now. Age has also made the major winner more aware of the importance of looking after Brand Lowry. He’s choosy when it comes to sponsorship.
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“I really don’t want to do the wrong thing, so I’m slow to do stuff, I’m really particular about what I do. I think I’m aware that the Shane Lowry brand is pretty good in Ireland and around the world,” he said.
In June 2026, Stryker announced a global partnership with Lowry, appointing him as a brand ambassador for the company’s joint replacement division. Stryker has about 5,500 workers in Ireland, with 4,000 of these based in Cork.
The Stryker deal has a very personal connection for Lowry.
“My dad [Brendan] had his hip and knee replaced, and I’ve helped Dad through the whole process and that’s where the relationship with Stryker ultimately started,” he says.
“About 12 years ago, he was struggling with his hip.
“He needed to get a replacement, but he also needed someone to push him, so I was able to help him to do that. Then, his knee was giving him the trouble, so he’s got a Stryker hip and knee, and I’ve helped my dad through the whole process.
“My dad is with me now about 15 weeks on tour and Stryker helped us throughout and that’s where the relationship ultimately started.
“It’s amazing to have him fit and healthy and running around the golf course after me. Stryker have been great and I hope to be helping them along the way too and I’m looking forward to the partnership continuing.”
Brendan Lowry an accomplished sportsman
Brendan Lowry was himself an accomplished sportsman, an All-Ireland winner with Offaly in their shock 1982 win over Kerry, and Offaly GAA remains close to Lowry’s heart. In 2021 Shane agreed to a five-year partnership to back Offaly GAA, and he is keen to continue that relationship.
“I’d like to continue helping Offaly GAA; what Michael Duignan has done with Offaly has just been unreal and to give the time that he’s given over the years has been great and what Tom Parlon’s doing now, we’ve seen some success, it’d be great if we could keep going. I’d like to help my own club as well, I feel like I’m doing some good stuff in Clara GAA at the minute.”
Irish golf ‘very top-heavy’
Lowry won the Irish Open in 2009 as an amateur, and he believes Irish golf is facing a conundrum at present, with huge success in recent years at the highest level but a shorter supply of talent pushing through the highest level.
“We’ve had a lot of good amateurs in recent years but they don’t have seem to make the next step to professional ranks. I don’t know what the solution is.
“We’re very top-heavy at the moment and we’ve obviously been very fortunate over the last 20 years where we’ve won quite a few majors and very fortunate we’ve got Rory, the greatest golfer of our generation, being from Ireland and winning majors.
“He’s probably the most popular golfer in the world.”
Lowry says he would be happy to play a mentor role to budding Irish hopefuls. “I would like that. I think I could be a help to the younger players, with my own experiences over the last 20 years. My coach in Neil Manship, and they’ve got access to him, they’ve got access to me. If any of them ever need any advice, my phone’s always there.”
Lowry is relishing Doonbeg, and is already looking towards a return to Ireland’s Mid-West next year, for the Ryder Cup.
“The Ryder Cup is going to be an incredible occasion coming to Ireland. I’ve lived a dream like I’m very lucky I’m here playing my 18th Irish Open this week. I’m not going to big myself up too much but I’ve had a pretty decent career, I’ve won some good things and I’m pretty happy with how things are going.
“There’s been a few months this year where a little bit of a speed bump in the road and I feel like once I get out to the far side of this, I am very upbeat and excited about the future. “
- Shane Lowry is brand ambassador for Stryker’s company’s Joint Replacement division.
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