Ailbhe Garrihy on trading hurling for golf as she gears up for Irish Open pro-am
The social media star is one of several influencers that have taken part in a golfing challenge this Summer.
Anthony Daly belted out the famed speech and welcomed Liam MacCarthy back to Clare for the first time in 81 years after a narrow win over Offaly.
It was one of her earliest sporting memories, all decked out in the saffron and blue watching history being made in Croke Park on 3 September 1995. Ailbhe Garrihy was there with her granddad Jack, her parents and sisters Aoibhín and Doireann.
She returned to GAA HQ two years later when Clare toppled Munster rivals Tipperary, they would only win one more All-Ireland before their sensational victory over Cork last month.
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“I was born in Castleknock in Dublin but my parents are from Doolin and Ballyvaughan. My husband’s parents are from Clare too so we’re very much kind of half and half as we like to describe ourselves,” said Garrihy.
“I have memories of being in Croke Park in ’95, we were there in ’97 as well, we have pictures and things up of those days. Although we were born in Dublin and grew up in Dublin, when it comes to the GAA it is always Clare.”
Garrihy has taken on her own sporting endeavour over the summer months and next week she will rock up to Carton House for the culmination of a journey.
‘The First Tee - Journey to Carton House’ will reach its finale when Garrihy, Muireann O’Connell and Kayleigh Trappe take part in the KPMG Women’s Irish Open Pro-Am.
This time her family, husband Ruaidhrí and children Seán and Fionn, will be there to cheer her on.
“My husband will definitely be there, whether he’ll caddy or not he’ll be there on the day which will be great,” said Garrihy.
“He might bring our two boys along for one or two holes, I don’t know how long they would last watching me for the full 18, but he’ll hopefully bring them along and I’m hoping my mum would be there too.
“It would be lovely to have them.”
Garrihy studied Business and Marketing in DCU before she joined the Jameson graduate programme and became a brand ambassador for Jameson Irish Whiskey in Amsterdam for a year.
That took her to Sydney for two more years before she moved home and eventually she began to work with the family business.
“I worked in PR for about a year and then I joined Dublin Bay Cruises and that’s where I’m still working with my dad and mum,” said Garrihy.
“We operate boat trips on Dublin Bay between March and October for families and individuals and a big part of our business is corporate entertainment and corporate outings. It’s going really well, thank God.”
Garrihy looks after the marketing and advertising for Dublin Bay Cruises, which includes everything from social media, to Google Ads, newspapers and radio.
It makes for a busy week, especially having a young family, but she has embraced the opportunity to learn a new skill and become a golfer this year.
“I did work with Sport Ireland on a post-natal campaign a couple of years back after I had Seán but to work with Golf Ireland, it’s totally different for me to do something like this to sign up for a challenge for the summer,” said Garrihy.
“I was apprehensive at the beginning but I’m so, so glad that I did it because it’s a new skill and my lessons with Mary Doyle, what I have learned with Mary I will have that for life whether I can get out for a game of golf every week or only every month it’s something that I have started now.
“I hope to continue it and never lose it. The great thing about golf is there is no real retirement age you could play until you are 70, 80 which is amazing.”
Garrihy has enjoyed the mental health benefits associated with the game too, the opportunity to unwind and focus on the game that is in front of her.
She recently played her first full round on course, it was a late birthday outing with her mother Clare at Luttrellstown.
“I was just doing driving range and lessons up until a few weeks ago and then my mum took me out for my first nine holes and I was terrified, I was like I have no idea what I am going to be like here now but the way I describe it, I didn’t make a show of myself so that’s a good thing,” said Garrihy.
“Everyone around me is so into golf, my parents, my husband, my friends’ husbands, a couple of my female friends, so when the opportunity arose I was like 100 per cent, it’s time for me to get involved.
“It came at the perfect time, my kids are still very young, the baby is 18 months now so he’s sleeping and he’s in creche so I just have that bit more time to learn a new skill.”
Garrihy has been working closely with her coach, PGA Professional Mary Doyle, and that has helped to work wonders in a short space of time.
And while there may not be any Liam MacCarthy on the line for the Pro-Am, Garrihy is excited to finally tee it up on the big day.
She has waited three months to test her wits in front of an audience and she knows her game and confidence have reached the necessary pitch.
“Mary and I are getting on like a house on fire. She is so encouraging, and we have actually had five of our six lessons so we only have one to go before the Pro-Am,” said Garrihy.
“But she’s just brilliant, she’s so patient, I might come and forget a few bits that she told me in the previous lesson and when I hit a good ball she’s like yes Ailbhe, my God that was great and that makes you feel great. So she’s very encouraging and we are getting on so well, I’m so delighted to have her as my coach.
“Now that I have had two rounds on two actual courses, the first was Luttrelstown and then Elm Green, now that I have actually played a few holes I am more excited about it.
“I am excited to have the craic with the girls, Muireann and Kayleigh, and just have a laugh.
“I am looking forward to it now.
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