📍Holywood, County Down BT18, UK
1989 – 2007“Rory McIlroy was born in Holywood, County Down, in May 1989, and grew up an only child in a modest semi-detached house in this small, leafy town on the shores of Belfast Lough, a few miles east of Belfast. His father, Gerry, was a scratch golfer who had grown up near the Holywood Golf Club, and his mother, Rosie, came from Lurgan. Rory was given his first plastic club as a baby, and as a toddler he spent hours chipping balls around the house. His parents made enormous sacrifices for his golf. Gerry worked three jobs at once, cleaning the changing rooms at a local sports club in the morning and then working long shifts behind the bar at the Holywood Golf Club and another club, while Rosie worked night shifts at a factory. Rory has said that he didn't realise until later that his parents barely saw each other, and that they took no family holiday for over a decade. At Holywood Golf Club, the professional, Michael Bannon, became his coach and mentor, and Rory became the club's youngest member at seven. He went to St Patrick's primary school and then to Sullivan Upper School in Holywood, and at nine he won the World Under-10 Championship in Miami. At sixteen he set the course record at Royal Portrush. He turned professional in 2007 and went on to win four major championships, and in 2025 he won the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam. He has stayed loyal to Holywood Golf Club, which proudly calls him its most famous member.”
🗺️ Approximate location today
📍 Street view today