Leo Varadkar (pictured) met with European Tour CEO Keith Pelley and Deputy CEO Guy Kinnings.GETTY IMAGES
Ireland is in "active discussions" to host the 2026 Ryder Cup, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar recently meeting with European Tour execs to discuss the deal, according to Brian Keogh of the IRISH INDEPENDENT. Ireland Minister for Sport Shane Ross traveled to the Ryder Cup on Sept. 30 to meet with European Tour Chair David Williams, CEO Keith Pelley, Deputy CEO Guy Kinnings and the then-Ryder Cup Dir Richard Hills to discuss taking the '26 event to Ireland. But it now appears that those discussions have "moved on," with Varadkar meeting in Dublin on Nov. 5 with Pelley and Kinnings. It is understood both Pelley and Kinnings expressed an "openness to considering Ireland" as a potential host and Ross on Tuesday briefed his ministerial colleagues on his department’s background work on the idea. Adare Manor has "long been considered" the favorite to host the event, with its owner, J.P. McManus, confirming earlier this year that the resort in Limerick "will be seeking to stage the competition." McManus said, "It is every golf course owner's hope to get the Ryder Cup. I am sure it will cost plenty. But I would like to bring it to Ireland, to Limerick and to Adare and give the whole southwest a boost." Pelley attended the official re-opening of the revamped course at Adare on April 20. Pelley said, "It is nothing short of spectacular. ... The golf course is a masterpiece" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 11/27).
