Solheim Cup boosts local economy but punters steer clear of high rents

THE HOSTING of the Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle, Co Meath, is worth at least €30 million to the local economy and represents “another feather in Ireland’s cap”, Fáilte Ireland has said.

The tourism body says it expects the free advertising from the women’s golf tournament, which tees off tomorrow, to be worth a further €60 million.

It will showcase Ireland in an estimated 400 million homes worldwide, it says, and there will be considerable further benefits as event directors see that, once again, Ireland “can punch above its weight” in organising major competitions.

However, the event is proving to be less of a bonanza for some locals who had hoped to cash in on the accommodation needs of an estimated 17,000 spectators.

Owners of properties that normally rent for below €1,000 a month were still seeking multiples of that amount yesterday. On websites dedicated to short-term rentals, hundreds of houses and apartments were still available.

One site, accommodationforthe event.com was offering more than 100 homes, some of them spectacular, but most merely at spectacular prices.

For those still keen to get somewhere to stay, a townhouse in Ratoath with two double bedrooms is among the less expensive properties, at €2,000 for the duration of the tournament. A bungalow was being offered in Dunshaughlin for €7,500, with use of a car possible.

In Dunderry a four-bed “traditional farmhouse” was being advertised at €8,000, while a three bedroom terraced home in Navan was being offered for €9,000.

Local estate agents were reluctant even to comment on the short-term rental market.

One agent, speaking on the basis of confidentiality, said “expectations are too high. People have been told you can get anything. They will be disappointed and they will be angry. That is not the kind of business we want.”

Fáilte Ireland’s communications manager Alex Connolly also said the short-term rental market was something he did not want to discuss.

Accommodation providers registered with Fáilte Ireland were returning figures suggesting an 80 per cent-plus occupancy, he said.

Mr Connolly said the competition was “the biggest sporting event for Ireland this year” and would bring 500 members of the international media to Killeen Castle. “It is a no-brainer,” he added, “we are really happy to have it here.”

The competition gives a particular boost to Fáilte Ireland’s attempts to advance the Republic as an international golf destination, coming after the 2006 Ryder cup.