The Irish Open has secured the backing of a new title sponsor

The Irish Open will return to County Louth, Baltray, on 14-17 May this year.

The course earned rave reviews when the event was last played there in 2004 and mobile phone company 3 is expected to be named soon as the new title sponsor.

"I am delighted to hear that the Irish Open is returning to Baltray," said treble major winner Padraig Harrington.

"It is one of the most exciting links courses in the country and one I have enjoyed playing at in the past. I look forward to a successful tournament."

Fellow Dubliner Paul McGinley added: "The event has probably gone from the best inland course in Ireland, Adare Manor, to the best links course in Ireland, in my opinion.

"Baltray is ideal for the spectators from the north and south."

The tournament's future had been in some doubt before Irish sports minister Martin Cullen announced that a sponsor had been found for the event.

It was strongly speculated that the Kilkenny-based Mount Juliet club would host the tournament in May.

However, a statement released from Mount Juliet in December said that it had "reluctantly" decided against staging the event.

The Irish Open was staged at Adare Manor for the last two years, with England's Richard Finch winning in 2008.

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