The European Tour today dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s when confirming Killarney as the new venue for next year’s 3 Irish Open. The tournament will also have a new date, taking place on the August bank holiday weekend.

While the news emerged last week that Ireland’s national open would be returning to the Killeen course at the Killarney resort, official confirmation was not forthcoming until this afternoon.

Killarney last hosted the event in 1991 and 1992 when Nick Faldo claimed his first and second Irish Open titles.

The move from May to the more favourable August date should, in theory at least, help a tournament bedeviled by the Irish weather in recent years and attract a stronger field to what once was one of the tour’s flagship events.

One player already offering his stamp of approval is the 2007 champion Padraig Harrington.

“I believe the golf course is superb but I am 100 per cent sure that the venue would be very popular on the tour with the players.

“That is very important - The Irish Open has to give a little bit more than other events. It has to give the whole package with people enjoying the whole week around the golf. That’s what The Irish Open did in the past and that’s what future Irish Opens have to do.

We have to go forward and give a little bit more than everybody else. The guys will have a great time and I will be telling all the players to bring their families that week to have a great time regardless of how the golf goes.”