The Port of Cork held meetings in Miami this week with representatives of yachting charter companies to outline their vision to make Bantry Bay to before and after playground of the superwealthy for the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, which takes place from September 13 to September 19, 2027. 

Tickets for the event itself went on sale to Irish residents on Friday, a month before the global ticket ballot opens to golf fans, with tickets selling out in an hour, despite matchday tickets costing €499.

The Adare Manor event will represent the centenary event of the Ryder Cup and will attract superrich attendees from the world of business and entertainment. A heliport will be in operation at Adare Manor for the Ryder Cup, accommodating as many as 600 helicopter trips every day. 

Port of Cork Company commerical manager David Browne was in Miami on behalf of the Port of Cork at the Seatrade Cruise Global, which attracted 12,500 attendees from 125 countries, representing more than 85 cruise line brands. Mr Browne has also held discussions with Debora Radtke, founder and president of American Yacht Agents, who handle luxury shoreside and concierge services. 

Mr Browne is confident Bantry is perfectly primed to capitalise on interest in the biggest show in golf. 

"We have seen great interest from the representative groups in the US," Mr Browne told the Irish Examiner. 

"There's adequate space in Bantry Bay inlet making it ideal for owners and charters of these superyachts, and there's huge interest in these global sporting events - think of Monaco for the F1. 

"Money isn't an object and sourcing tickets isn't an object for them. We can provide the water reception."

Mr Browne said Adare Manor is just 25 minutes by helicopter from Bantry. 

"Travelling by helicopter will avoid any traffic, and you can imaging that journey by helicopter itself will be spectacular, with some of the scenery you pass over, along the Wild Atlantic Way," said Mr Browne.

Bantry already has an airstrip, which is privately owned, having been developed by Rowa Pharmaceuticals almost half a century ago for direct transportation between Ireland and Germany. Port of Cork authorities have had positive discussions from the owners to use the airstrip to taxi visitors to Adare during the Ryder Cup.

Meanwhile the sheltered inlet of Bantry Bay itself is large enough that no limit would be needed on how many superyachts it could accommodate during the Ryder Cup, with both the inner and outer harbour available as required. The port company has invested €9m in Bantry inner harbour over the past decade, including a leisure marina, the widening of the town pier, dredging of the inner harbour, and the creation of an amenity space at the foreshore.

"Fuelling facilities are available for vessels of less than 4m draft where yachts can come alongside and get fuel," said Mr Browne. The port also complies with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code for international shipping and port facilities, which gives it added security attraction for seafarers. 

Cruising season

The plans for Bantry come as the town prepares to welcome its first cruise passengers of the season on Sunday, April 26, with the arrival of Le Lapérouse, the first of 12 cruise vessels scheduled to call this year.  Le Lapérouse is a modern expedition cruise vessel carrying up to 184 guests. 

"With twelve ships scheduled to visit this year, we’re expecting another strong season that will support local tourism and the wider West Cork economy. Every arrival is an opportunity to showcase the beauty of Bantry and the warmth of the community, and we look forward to giving each visitor a memorable West Cork welcome," said Michael Pat Murphy, Bantry Bay Port assistant harbour master. 

The cruise season began at Cork Harbour in Cobh on April 13, with the arrival of AIDAluna, the first of 93 vessels brinigng over 175,000 passengers to Cobh. Cruise tourism is believed to be worth between €17m and €20m to the South-West. The cruise season in Cork will continue until November, with current arrivals scheduled for Bantry until August. 

"These calls deliver real economic and cultural benefits for the region, and we’re pleased to see Bantry playing an increasingly important role in Ireland’s cruise tourism landscape," said Port of Cork CEO Ann Doherty.