The Walker Cup comes to Lahinch
The Walker Cup will take place at Lahinch Golf Club from 4-6 September, bringing some of the world’s best amateur golfers to County Clare. The biennial competition is contested between teams representing Britain & Ireland and the United States, and is regarded as one of the most important events in amateur golf.
The event will begin with a practice day and opening ceremony on Friday 4 September, followed by two days of competition on Saturday 5 September and Sunday 6 September.
With large numbers of spectators expected in Lahinch and the surrounding area, visitors to the Cliffs of Moher Experience should allow additional travel time during the event weekend.
Event Schedule
Friday 4 September – Practice Day
- 8:00am: Morning Team Practice
- 1:30pm: Afternoon Team Practice
- 5:00pm: Opening Ceremony
Saturday 5 September – Match Day 1
- 8:00am: Four foursome matches
- 1:45pm: Eight singles matches
Sunday 6 September – Match Day 2
- 8:00am: Four foursome matches
- 1:30pm: Ten singles matches
- 7:00pm: Closing Ceremony
Visiting the Cliffs of Moher during The Walker Cup
Visitors travelling to the Cliffs of Moher Experience between Friday 4 September and Sunday 6 September should be aware that the Walker Cup is expected to generate significantly increased traffic volumes throughout the North Clare area, particularly on routes serving Lahinch, Liscannor and the Cliffs of Moher.
Additional traffic management measures will be in place on the R478 between Lahinch and Liscannor on Saturday 5 September and Sunday 6 September. These measures are necessary because part of the golf course is located immediately beside the public road.
A stop-go traffic management system will operate while players are on the 4th green and 5th tee, with intermittent traffic holds expected between:
- 8:40am and 9:50am
- 2:15pm and 4:05pm
These timings depend on the pace of play and may vary slightly throughout the weekend.
Visitors travelling to or from the Cliffs of Moher Experience during these periods should expect delays and are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys. Parking capacity at the Cliffs of Moher Experience remains unchanged, however journey times throughout the area may be longer than usual due to increased visitor numbers and event-related traffic.
Expected delays to the Burren & Cliffs Explorer Shuttle Bus during The Walker Cup
The Burren & Cliffs Explorer Shuttle Bus (BC1) will continue to operate throughout the Walker Cup weekend. However, passengers should be aware that increased traffic volumes and temporary traffic management measures in Lahinch may result in delays to some services on Saturday 5 September and Sunday 6 September.
In particular, the stop-go traffic management system on the R478 between Lahinch and Liscannor is expected to affect four BC1 services each day.
Morning Services Affected
Both services below are scheduled to arrive in Lahinch at approximately 9:10am and are expected to experience delays:
- BC1 Doolin → Miltown Malbay, departing Doolin at 8:30am
- BC1 Spanish Point → Doolin, departing Spanish Point at 8:30am
Afternoon Services Affected
Both services below are scheduled to arrive in Lahinch at approximately 3:00pm and are expected to experience delays:
- BC1 Doolin → Miltown Malbay, departing Doolin at 2:20pm
- BC1 Spanish Point → Doolin, departing Spanish Point at 2:20pm
All other scheduled BC1 services are expected to operate as normal. However, passengers should allow additional time for their journeys throughout the weekend, as road congestion associated with the Walker Cup may impact travel times across the Burren and Cliffs of Moher region.
We recommend checking timetables in advance and allowing extra time when planning connections, tours or visits to the Cliffs of Moher Experience during the event
