The Ryder Cup will return to Ireland in 2026 when Adare Manor hosts the biennial contest between Europe and the United States for the first time, the European Tour said on Thursday. A deal was struck between the Irish government and European Tour organisers to stage the event in County Limerick. The event was last staged in Ireland at the K Club near Dublin in 2006. "We are delighted to announce the 2026 Ryder Cup will be staged in Ireland at Adare Manor which is a world class venue, both in terms of the golf course and the wider resort facilities," European Ryder Cup director Guy Kinnings said in a statement. "Today's announcement would not have been possible without the support of An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar and the Irish government who are in receipt of our grateful and heartfelt thanks. "Months of careful negotiation behind the scenes have seen us arrive at this point and we could not be happier to be able to take golf's greatest team contest back to Ireland." Padraig Harrington's Team Europe will defend their title at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin next year. — Reuters