Stars from the worlds of sport, music, TV and film will align up to play in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation Pro Am on Wednesday July 4.
This will be the eve of the fourth Rolex Series event of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.
Representing the sporting world is former Republic of Ireland, Manchester City and Newcastle United goalkeeper and RTE pundit Shay Given. While Donegal’s GAA Football Captain Michael Murphy will delight the home support just over a week after he leads the county out in the Ulster Football Championship Final.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Media Day at Ballyliffin Golf Club, Co Donegal.
Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
He is joined in the field by legendary jockey AP McCoy, whilst Kerry football star Kieran Donaghy and former Ireland international rugby players Keith Wood and Stephen Ferris will also be present.
Completing the sporting representation is ex-snooker World Champion Dennis Taylor and Derry City Football Club players Paddy McCourt, Gerard Doherty and Rory Patterson.
Also taking part in the Pro Am is former Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, professional dancer on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing Anton du Beke and pop singers Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy. Completing the star-studded line up is well-known Northern Ireland actor James Nesbitt.
James Nesbitt on the 14th during the Pro-Am of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Portstewart Golf Club (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
“Ballyliffin is a great golf course,” said Rory McIlroy. “It’s always nice to be back home and play in front of the home crowd so I’m very much looking forward to playing the course and also having some fun at the Pro Am before the tournament kicks off.”
Fans will also be treated to a festival of music as country star Nathan Carter headlines the ‘Glashedy Sessions’ on the Friday night (6th July) of the tournament. A host of exciting local bands will also entertain the crowds at the Glashedy Stage, including popular four-piece the Logues and regular favourites the Groove Robbers.
Tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation are on sale at www.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com and begin at €20 for Pro-Am Wednesday, with tickets for Thursday and Friday costing €32 and day tickets for the weekend costing €34 each. An adult season souvenir ticket, which covers five days of world class golf from Wednesday to Sunday, costs just €110.
