Hope That Donations To North Clare Community Groups Will Be Irish Open’s Legacy

It’s hoped that two charitable donations to community groups in North Clare, arising out of the Irish Open in Lahinch, will lead to a tangible legacy from the event.

The local national school and family resource centre are sharing in €75,000 from the Foundation of tournament host Paul McGinley, who presented the cheques this past Friday.

From the outset, it was always the intention to make July’s Irish Open in Lahinch a community event.

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With the golf course lying just a short wedge shot from the heart of the village, all of Lahinch was always going to be involved, and with street entertainment, music, fireworks, and more, there were huge crowds on the promenade.

Simply, it was a memorable experience for one and all, but for that to work, it took buy-in from the community.

These donations are now recognition of that involvement of and sacrifice by locals in making The Irish Open a success.

The two donations arise from funds raised during the week of the Irish Open for Paul McGinley’s Foundation, and he arrived back in Lahinch on Friday to make the all-important presentations to the school, and the family resource centre.

He was always keen to give back to the local community.

For Lahinch Golf Club, these donations allow for the creation of a tanglible legacy from the Irish Open, on top of the lifetime of memories.

John Gleeson was Chairman of their Championship Committee.

Sixty thousand euro goes to the local national school in Lahinch, and the money will go a long way towards providing a new astroturf outdoor play area for the children.

Another fifteen thousand goes to the North West Clare Family Resource Centre.

Their manager is Michelle Lynch.

Bryan Curry, who is Deputy Principal of the local national school, says people in Lahinch are keen to thank Paul McGinley himself for what his work has meant for their area.