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21 Oct 2025
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21 Oct 2025
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Tourism NI’s ‘The Epic Journey to The 148th Open’ campaign celebrates the prestigious Championship’s historic return to Northern Ireland in almost 70 years at Royal Portrush this July.
Before it gets presented to the Champion Golfer of the Year this July, Tourism Northern Ireland is bringing the Claret Jug to Derry this Wednesday, allowing fans to have selfies taken with golf’s most famous trophy.
As part of The Epic Journey to The Open, the Claret Jug will be on view at Ebrington Square on May 7 from 11.00am until 1.00pm.
This free public event, will showcase how Northern Ireland is ‘Made for Golf’ and give fans the chance to take photographs with the famous Claret Jug and Tourism NI’s #TheOpen giant letters.
Primary school pupils will be in attendance along with Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, local golf club representatives and other stakeholders.
The Epic Journey to The Open tees off in Belfast before travelling to Kerr Street Green in Portrush on May 2 and then on to Ebrington Square, before finishing in Tullamore, the home of The 148th Open Champion Golfer, Shane Lowry.
READ NEXT: Plaque unveiled for 1890s champion teen golfer May Hezlet at Royal Portrush
Aine Kearney, Tourism NI Director of Events said the Championship created a tangible feel-good factor right across Northern Ireland when it last took place here in 2019.
She said: “Northern Ireland is ready to extend a giant welcome to thousands of visitors from around the globe for The 153rd Open and to showcase the stunning Causeway Coast, and beyond, to a worldwide television audience.
“Bringing the Claret Jug on this Epic Journey to The 153rd Open allows us all to get involved in the build-up and the excitement to what promises to be an unforgettable week.
“Northern Ireland is Made for Golf and hosting The 153rd Open solidifies our reputation as a destination for world-class golf, tourism and hospitality and allows us to showcase our rich culture, natural beauty and warm welcome to visitors from around the world.”
With record breaking numbers in 2019, The 148th Open at Royal Portrush was an overwhelming success story with Shane Lowry playing his way into the folklore of the famous links course.
The action was beamed to over 100 million viewers worldwide and the event generated over £100 million (€121 million) in economic benefit for the region.
The Epic Journey to 153rd The Open will also include a giant #TheOpen letter installation, designed by Tourism NI and made out of 4,000 golf balls, which was unveiled by global golfing hero and 2014 Champion Golfer of the Year, Rory McIlroy, ahead of the 2019 Championship.
To plan your perfect short break and golfing inspiration visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/golf
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