Over 200 ready to 'fore-go' their homes for up to €85k during Ryder Cup in Limerick
THERE was controversy at this weekend’s Ryder Cup in Italy over a USA player’s belief they should be remunerated - and many homeowners are hoping for a big pay day when it comes to Limerick's hosting of the competition.
Adare Manor will play host to the best golfers in Europe and America and tens of thousands of fans in 2027. If it is anything close to the drama witnessed in Rome over the last three days it will be epic. But before they can do the Poznań clapping on the first tee, the supporters will have to find somewhere to stay.
While some will stay in hotels and B&Bs, many attendees - which can often include groups from big companies - prefer to hire out a house for the duration of their stay.
When Limerick Live first reported in October 2021 about a website called Accommodation for The Event (AfTE) - which allows people to “rent your house for the Ryder Cup 2027” - there were just four homes listed.
This Sunday however, there are 219 properties available for rent. And they aren’t just in Limerick - property owners in Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Clare and Galway are getting in on the act too!
From thatched cottages in east Limerick, to semi-detached houses in Castletroy and luxury detached abodes in Curraghchase there is a house to suit everybody’s taste. The latter, set on four acres in the forest, is available for €70,000 (the length of time isn’t specified). It boasts six ensuite bedrooms, tennis court, outdoor hot tub, and a bar and pool room.
The most expensive house listed on AfTE is for €85,000 in Nenagh for 10 days. The cheapest is an apartment in Killarney for €9,500.
Brian Higgins, accommodation manager with AfTE, said they do not yet have accurate data on Ryder Cup 2027 bookings thus far as they advertise the properties and it is up to the prospective renter and homeowner to come to an arrangement.
“However, I can confirm that the first successful booking confirmation AfTE received, via email and phone from a Limerick homeowner was on September 15, 2022,” said Mr Higgins.
He previously explained to Limerick Live that those renting don’t have to wait until 2027 to earn thousands as house renters have to pay a 30% deposit (which includes a 15% safety deposit) “up front”.
“They will pay that to make sure you don't give your property to someone else. Effectively they pay 30% up front and then pay 85% before they arrive. After they have left you look around the house to make sure everything is in order, then you return the 15% safety deposit. We have been doing this since 2005 and we have never heard of anyone not getting back that safety deposit,” said Mr Higgins.
Essentially, if a homeowner lists their abode today for €30,000 and somebody books it, then the homeowner gets €9,000 straight away.
“It seems like there is a pattern of people who want to receive their booking deposit earlier. People who are being entrepreneurial is a very good thing. It is a great opportunity for homeowners. For us it is a great privilege to give that surge of income to homeowners which in most cases is unexpected,” said Mr Higgins.
While the prices may seem outlandish, they are similar to what was being offered for this weekend’s Ryder Cup in Rome and for the 2025 event at Bethpage Black in New York. Although there are only four properties currently listed for that.
Mr Higgins says people tend to book accommodation much earlier for the Ryder Cup and he pointed to the fact that Limerick is “quite tight with accommodation as is”.
“It is years in advance rather than four or five months prior to an event like the Irish Open. They have it well planned out. It is a really good opportunity for large companies or corporations to take customers and clients and employees and put them all in the same area so they can build rapport with these people because they have been doing business with them for 10 / 15 / 20 years possibly. It is a good opportunity for them to build relationships with them. Americans are massive Ryder Cup fans.
“You will find they will look for five or six houses within the same areas so when they are driving clients home after the day they don't have to drive the coach half way around the country. They can drop them all in one area. They are interested in the culture as well. They want to really figure how people really live. In houses more than hotels they get to immerse themselves fully in the culture,” explained Mr Higgins.
And there are many willing to “fore-go” their house for the duration of the Ryder Cup 2027.