'The town looks amazing': Newcastle gears up for golf

This weekend thousands of golf fans will descend on a picturesque seaside town for the Amgen Irish Open.

Play from Newcastle, County Down, will be broadcast to millions across the globe, showcasing world-class golf and the beauty of the Mournes.

However, many businesses in the town believe they will have a quiet weekend as golf fans stay on the grounds of Royal County Down and others stay away in the belief that the town will be too busy.

To combat this, the local council has organised a series of events to coincide with the tournament, which begins on Thursday and runs until Sunday.

Nicola Stevenson hopes golf fans will come into bars and restaurants in the evening

Nicola Stevenson runs the 20-bedroom Avoca Hotel.

“We are very lucky to have Royal County Down on our doorstep because it is one of the biggest courses in the world and that is a major attraction for Newcastle and we get a lot of business from it with golfers coming here from all over the world,” she said.

“But [during the tournament] it’ll be a straight line down to the golf course so the hope is that in the evening time they’ll filter through up the town into the bars and restaurants."

'Hard to predict'

Dana Small of the Shimna Café is also hoping for a busy weekend.

“We are hoping to see the golf crowd but that is hard to predict,” she said.

“With the park and ride drop offs they might bypass us and go straight to the golf or they might dander in – so it can be hit or miss."

Away from hospitality, many in retail expect this weekend to be quieter than normal.

Joanne McAleese hopes people who visit for the golf will be tempted to return

Despite this, Joanne McAleese of Wadsworth’s Clothing, said the golf brings a lot to the town.

“You can always hope that we will get some trade from it but the last time we didn’t get the trade up the town because they go in to the course during the day and leave at night,” she said.

“But Newcastle looks amazing at the moment.

"The backdrop of the golf course and into the town looks really well – so hopefully people will say they want to come back.”

Council workers Cathal McKibbon and Alan Barbour have been busy sprucing up the town

Council workers Cathal McKibbon and Alan Barbour were working along the seafront on Wednesday.

“We’re cutting the grass trying to get the promenade into shape,” said Cathal.

“There should be a big crowd coming down so it adds something to it, making it look good.”

Alan agreed: “We’re trying to emulate the Royal County Down fairways and greens but I’m not sure we’ll get to that standard – but if they’re ever looking two good men to work down there then we’re the men!”

Aisling Doran and her friend, Maria, are out for a walk with their babies

But will non-golf fans stay away?

Out for a walk on Wednesday morning was new mum Aisling Doran with her baby Oisin. She said she often walks the promenade with friend Maria and her baby Annie.

“We would walk maybe two or three times a week here in Newcastle but we’d probably be a bit put off over the next few days because of the busy-ness of it - and the parking.

"It can be hard to get parked anyway. Today we came extra early to make sure we’d get a parking space so it might be the middle of next week before we’re back.”

According to Newry, Mourne and Down head of tourism Michelle Boyle a series of events have been organised to attract people into the town centre.

“We are running a fringe event from Friday through to Sunday with pop up street food, art golf, activities on the promenade and there’ll be a big screen here to watch the live golf as well,” she said.

“We want people to come in to Newcastle and get into the buzz of the golf. We’ve a restaurant weekend with more than 20 businesses offering golf themed food and drink.”

The powers that be are keen to stress that once the golf fans enter the town, using a park and ride system, there will be plenty of on-street parking during the day.

Ted and Julie Choja have come to see some of Ireland's best golfers

Early arrivals Ted and Julie Choja from Canada are here for a retirement trip, staying in nearby Downpatrick.

“We had heard about Newcastle and that it is one of the best courses, so we’ve come to see Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry,” said Julie.

According to Ted, such trips aren’t cheap but they are worth it.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” he said.

“There are avenues to make things cheaper but all in all I think you expect to pay a little bit more for trips like this. Hopefully we’ll find a nice restaurant for later.”