Shane Lowry's father, Brendan (left) and Offaly GAA Chairperson Michael Duignan presenting the flag signed by the 2023 Ryder Cup winning team to Madge Bourke, principal of Scoil Phroinsiais Naofa in Clara.

Shane Lowry's former school auctioning signed Ryder Cup flag to help fund play area

Adrian Cusack

Published: Tue 9 Apr 2024, 1:09 PM

Last updated: Tue 9 Apr 2024, 1:16 PM

Shane Lowry's former primary school in Clara is auctioning a piece of Ryder Cup history in order to raise funds towards a new play area.

The golf star donated a flag to Scoil Phroinsiais Naofa in Clara which was signed by the 2023 Ryder Cup winning team and commemorates Europe's win over the US at the 44th staging of the prestigious competition in Rome last autumn.

The flag is now being auctioned and proceeds raised from it will go towards an outside play area for the school's Suaimhneas ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) class.

The fundraiser was launched in recent weeks, and in an update today (Tuesday) the school said the leading bid so far, of €1,400, had come from an interested party in New York.

Bids for this notable piece of sporting memorabilia can be submitted by emailing: fundraiser@stfrancisbns.ie and the bidding process is set to remain open until the end of the Masters golf tournament which concludes this Sunday, April 14.

The school is calling on all parents, former students and patrons to support the cause by sharing details of the fundraiser online.

"Finally, we wish to thank Shane, his family and all the Ryder Cup team of 2023 for thinking of us. Míle Buíochas arís Shane agus go n-éirí an bóthar leat sa Comórtas Masters!" the school added.