Tourism in County Louth, Ireland, is set to rocket between the 14th and 17th of May as thousands flood in for the 4 day Irish Open Golf Championships.

Transport will need to be booked in advance, as trains and buses are expected to be fully booked. Irish car hire companies will be pulling out all the stops in order to ensure that no fans miss the event.

The elite of the golfing world will be descending on the Baltray Golf Course while they battle to win a share of the huge prize fund. The English golfer, Richard Finch, will of course be there as he attempts to retain his world title.

In Ireland however, it’s a different matter, as all eyes will be firmly focused on their homeboys, Padraig Harrington, winner of the 2007 title, and up-and-coming golf sensation, teenager Rory McIlroy.