Teed off! Frustrations grow amid concerns over local preparations ahead of Ryder Cup

AS TALK of roundabout makeovers and million-euro plans swirl around, one councillor in Adare says there hasn’t even been a daffodil planted and has warned there’s “no open chequebook” when it comes to preparing the village for the 2027 Ryder Cup.

With less than two years to go before the world-famous tournament tees off at Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, concerns are growing among local representatives about the pace of preparations.

At the October meeting of the Adare–Rathkeale Municipal District, Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey said he is frustrated at what he described as a lack of visible progress in Adare.

“The Ryder Cup is being oversold to the community,” he warned. “There are people who think there’s an open chequebook and that’s not the case. Not one daffodil has been planted in Adare, and we have a person overseeing this for five or six years.”

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Fianna Fáil councillor Bridie Collins, who chairs the local Tidy Towns Committee, quickly responded: “Don’t worry about the daffodils,” she said. “The planting plan has very much been preparing for the Ryder Cup.”

Cllr Teskey reiterated that “We now have a year and a half to go to the event itself and there’s not one improvement in Adare village,” he said. “The roads are in a deplorable state going in and out."

"We’ve spent hundreds of thousands on parking and traffic management plans, and none of them are needed. We spent hundreds of thousands designing the Heritage Centre and left it too late to draw down funding."

Separately, he asked officials to confirm or deny rumours that up to 18 roundabouts across Limerick are to be converted into “mini putting greens” at a cost of up to €1 million.

Director of Services Vincent Murray said he was “not aware” of any such proposal but would seek clarification.

In a follow-up response to media queries, Limerick City and County Council confirmed that discussions on a creative proposal to enhance 18 roundabouts across the city and county, representing 18 holes of a golf course are "at a very early stage".

The initiative, the spokesperson said, is entirely separate from the Ryder Cup. Any refurbishment of roundabouts would form part of an ongoing improvement programme, with sponsorship to be sought to support funding.

Mr Murray added that a 'stakeholder workshop' will soon be arranged to brief councillors on Ryder Cup preparations and the upcoming schedule of works.

“The roads team are preparing some measures for Adare–Rathkeale,” he said. “We’re preparing a Part VIII (planning application) at the moment for works over the next 12 months.”

Cllr Collins also raised questions about potential rail access to Adare during the event and whether additional central government funding would be provided.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Ward noted that tournament organisers will have significant input regarding what happens in and around Adare during the event, something he observed first hand at this year’s contest in New York.