Northern Ireland

'Epic Journey to The 148th Open' launched in Belfast

Members of the public got a glimpse of the Claret Jug at Belfast City Hall yesterday. Picture by Hugh Russell
Members of the public got a glimpse of the Claret Jug at Belfast City Hall yesterday. Picture by Hugh Russell Members of the public got a glimpse of the Claret Jug at Belfast City Hall yesterday. Picture by Hugh Russell

GOLF’S most iconic trophy, the Claret Jug, was in full view at Belfast City Hall yesterday as the 'epic journey to the 148th Open' began.

The public was able to view the trophy on its first stop of an initiative that will see it taken to every county in Northern Ireland as well as Dublin.

School children, golf enthusiasts and sports stars were among those to attend the event to mark the excitement surrounding the return of golf’s most prestigious championship to Royal Portrush for the first time in almost 70 years.

The Open in July will be beamed to more than 600 million viewers across the world and is expected to attract 190,000 spectators, with a team of 6,000 staff and 500 volunteers set to take part.

Aine Kearney from Tourism NI said: "The championship will shine a spotlight on Northern Ireland, placing us on a global stage and leaving a lasting legacy.

"We are ready to welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors who will be joining us to watch a truly spectacular sporting event.

"It is evident from the exceptional ticket sales that there is great anticipation among fans for the return of The Open to Northern Ireland and with the Epic Journey, we’re offering people across every county the opportunity to be part of that excitement and build-up to the event."

Rory McIlroy said: "The Open returning to Portrush is massive for Northern Ireland, everyone is so excited and is getting behind it.

"I never thought I would have the opportunity to play in a major championship at home and I’m really looking forward to it.

"You can really feel the buzz here already, it’s going be a fantastic year as we get ready to welcome The Open for the first time in over half a century."

The Epic Journey to The 148th Open will visit Enniskillen, Dublin, Armagh, Derry, Portrush, Newcastle and Dungannon.