Carton House, which was expected to hold the event next summer, is now likely to host it in 2013.

The decision to move the European Tour event northward from Killarney comes on the back of the achievements of the North’s three golfing superstars in the last two years.

Darren Clarke’s emotional victory in the Open Championship at Sandwich in Kent last summer followed the successive US Open victories of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy.

All three players – McDowell and Clarke have homes in Portrush – backed the bid to bring the Irish Open to the town’s famous links course.

It is hoped that a successful staging of the Irish Open this June will add further momentum to the campaign to bring the Open Championship itself back to the North.

The UK’s Major has only once been staged in the region – at Royal Portrush in 1951.

But the three Major wins by local golfers in little over a year prompted a clamour for a return and heaped pressure on governing body the Royal and Ancient (R&A) to bring the tournament across the Irish Sea.

Clarke and McDowell both welcomed the return of the Irish Open to Portrush.

“Fantastic news on the Irish Open 2012 coming to Royal Portrush,” McDowell told his Twitter followers.

“Always been a dream of mine to play a top event in my home town.”

Clarke urged golf fans to pack the fairways come June.

“Royal Portrush will be awesome for the Irish Open this year... it’s as good a test as we play anywhere!” he tweeted.

“Brilliant news. Big crowds please!!!”