Business is booming in Lahinch as the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open continues today.
Pubs that have been closed for years have reopened with every inch of business space being used, as thousands of people walk the streets of the village over the coming days.
It’s a hive of activity here in Lahinch today with every inch of the village bustling with action.
Today marks the first official day of the golfing here, with numbers well in excess of yesterday’s 10,000 here to soak up the atmosphere.
Unsurprisingly, business if flourishing as a result – when the official announcement was made that Lahinch would be the host golf course last year, hotel rooms were snapped up within hours.
And Michael Vaughan of Vaughan’s Lodge Hotel says it’s bringing about a great revival of Lahinch across the board.
Aside from golfing fans, plenty of patrons are wandering around to see if they can catch a glimpse of some of the famous faces that are gracing Clare this week.
Danny McCarthy of Danny Mac’s Bar on the Main Street has been opening his doors to a few of those celebrities.
Aside from the local business owners, the fan village area is alive with local food and craft producers who are taking the opportunity to market their wares.
Ann Daly is a Liscannor-based artist – she’s relishing the in-person contact with clients.
And Darren O’Connor of the Magic Mayan Chocolate Company says the Irish Open is giving him a chance to reach out to high end customers.
For now, focus is on the rest of the Irish Open, but Robert Kennedy of Kennedy’s Centre in the centre of Lahinch is hopeful that the legacy of hosting the event will live on for many years to come.
