Portrush Is Open - Our Towns Are Open

As the 153rd Open Championship returns to the stunning shores of Portrush, we sit down with Joachim—Joe, to his friends—a lifelong golf enthusiast, global traveller, and first-time visitor to Northern Ireland. From his Tiger Woods pilgrimage to Hoylake to playing 18 holes at Pinnacle Point for his 60th, Joe shares the stories behind his passion for golf, travel, and sports.

In this episode of All Roads Lead to Portrush, we sit down with Dr. Nigel Pollock, the proud and humble captain of Royal Portrush Golf Club, just days before the Open Championship returns to its historic fairways. A lifelong golfer, local GP, and volunteer-turned-leader, Dr. Pollock offers a rare insider’s perspective on what it means to host the world’s biggest golf tournament — from coordinating player buggies to preparing to hand over the Claret Jug.

Host Chris Arthur chats with Deputy Mayor Alderman Richard Stewart about all things The Open—from the excitement of the championship itself to the vibrant events happening around it. They dive into the tournament’s impact on the community, the lasting legacy it leaves behind, and what’s in store after the final putt drops this summer.

Host Chris Arthur sits down with Steven Meldrum, General Manager of the Causeway Coast’s first five-star hotel — the stunning Dunluce Lodge. Steven shares stories of scones, spa days, and preparing for a global spotlight as The Open Championship returns to Portrush.

As the countdown continues to one of the world’s biggest sporting events, we’re joined by a very special guest who sits at the heart of it all – newly appointed Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Oliver McMullan.

Host Chris Arthur sits down with David Jackson, Chief Executive of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, to uncover the scale, strategy, and vision behind The Open Championship’s return to Royal Portrush. In this insightful episode, David shares how the council is preparing for one of the world’s most iconic sporting events — from infrastructure and community planning to tourism, sustainability, and the legacy they hope to leave behind. With over 280,000 spectators expected and global audiences in the hundreds of millions, this is more than a golf tournament — it’s a showcase of what makes Northern Ireland's North Coast world-class. Whether you’re a golf fan, a local resident, or just love seeing communities thrive, this episode dives into how big events can drive real, lasting transformation.

In this episode of All Roads Lead to Portrush, host Chris Arthur sits down with Jonathan McCarron, the Project Manager leading Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's efforts to deliver The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. With just a couple of weeks to go until tee-off, Jonathan gives us an insider's perspective on what it takes to transform a seaside town of 6,500 people into a destination ready to welcome nearly 300,000 visitors over championship week.

In this episode of All Roads Lead to Portrush, host Chris Arthur sits down with Dr. Peter Bolan, Director of Golf Management and Senior Lecturer in International Tourism Management at Ulster University. Together, they dive into the monumental return of The Open Championship to Royal Portrush in 2025—and what it means for golf, tourism, education, and the local economy.

In this episode of All Roads Lead to Portrush, host Chris Arthur sits down with John Crawford, co-director of the beloved Top Blade Steakkhouse, as the restaurant brings its signature steakhouse experience to the Causeway Coast—just in time for The Open Championship. From juicy flat irons to prime seaside views, discover how Top Blade plans to make waves in Portrush this summer, and why this new opening is more than just great food—it's part of a coastal revival.

Sarah Simpson, Northern Area Manager for Ulsterbus at Translink, joins host Chris to explore the massive logistics challenge of moving hundreds of thousands of visitors smoothly and safely around Northern Ireland. From early-stage planning and park-and-ride operations to enhanced rail services, Sarah gives us an inside look at the months of coordination, contingency planning, and community collaboration powering this world-class transport operation.