Sometimes, history tastes sweet—especially when it’s baked into a jam-filled biscuit with icing and Rory McIlroy’s face on top.
That’s exactly what’s flying off the shelves in Holywood, Northern Ireland, as locals celebrate their hometown hero’s iconic Masters win.
This wasn’t just a sports victory—it was a moment that stitched a community even closer together.
Skinners Bakery Serves Up Celebration in Every Bite
Walk down Holywood’s High Street and you’ll find Skinner’s bakery buzzing.
The source? A special treat that’s become the toast of the town—Rory-themed cakes that are part biscuit, part jam-filled nostalgia, and all celebration.
Graham McMorris, who owns Skinner’s with his wife Jade, started baking them the morning after Rory’s triumph at Augusta.
“We did this back in 2016 when he won the Irish Open,” Graham says.
“This time, I knew we had to do it again. By Friday, we’d sold over 2,000.”
People drove in from across Northern Ireland—Portadown, Newry, and even one customer whose brother in Australia begged for a delivery. “It’s been like a conveyor belt,” Graham laughs.
“But it’s brilliant. Everyone wants a piece of Rory’s moment.”
Holywood Glows with Rory’s Spirit
Step into Holywood right now, and you can feel it: this is a place bursting with pride.
A large blue sign off the A2 welcomes visitors to the “Historical gem of the Lough and home of Rory McIlroy.” And they mean it.
McIlroy’s face beams from the windows of nearly every local shop—balloon stores, restaurants, barber shops, even the travel agency.
Hooked, a boutique boxing gym, has a loop of Rory’s winning putt playing in the front window.
“The town is absolutely buzzing,” says Jake McBride, the gym’s owner.
“We’d love to see him pop in—he’s always welcome.”
Posters, Memories, and Golf Dreams Everywhere
In total, 24 businesses now display council-provided posters celebrating Rory’s Grand Slam win.
Irish Golfer magazine sits proudly in one window asking: Is 2025 Rory’s Grand Slam Year? Holywood now knows the answer—and the celebration isn’t slowing down.
John McCullough, who runs Art & Home at the top of the High Street, remembers a younger Rory.
“When Rory got mentioned in the paper, his dad Gerry would come in and ask for it to be framed.
They’ve always been humble—lovely people.”
It turns out that Rory’s path was also helped by a lucky bet—his dad once placed €100 each-way at 8/1 on his teenage son to win a local championship.
When he did, the winnings helped fund his summer of travel.
“We’re ruined!” the event bookmaker had exclaimed—but for Rory, it was the beginning of something legendary.
A Course Built with Dreams and Dedication
Holywood Golf Club, the course where Rory’s journey began, still keeps a spot reserved in the car park just for him.
The clubhouse now proudly showcases his trophies—replicas of the PGA, Claret Jug, and US Open—with a space soon to be filled by the iconic Green Jacket.
Young kids who watched him on TV last weekend were already out in the rain, practicing their swings on the same fairways he once roamed as a teenager.
The impact is real—membership requests surged on Monday, and there’s now a waitlist for junior golfers.
A Star Who Never Forgot Where He Came From
Though Rory doesn’t get back home often, his recent arrival on a private jet in Belfast sent a buzz through the town.
Despite his global fame and millions of followers, to Holywood, he’s still the boy with the curly hair and bold trousers, raised on love and sacrifice.
His parents, Gerry and Rosie, gave everything to support his dream.
His dad even turned their garden into a makeshift golf course. That dream, fueled by family, has now reached heights only five other golfers in history have touched.
A Slam That Goes Beyond Golf
Ciaran Lavery, the club’s pro, puts it simply: “This goes beyond golf.
It’s like winning every major horse race on every kind of track. He did it, and we all felt it—pride, joy, relief.”
Phones at the pro shop have been ringing non-stop with fans asking if Rory’s around.
“He might stop by to use the gym or simulator,” Lavery adds, “but we’ll definitely see him in July for The Open in Portrush.”
A Hollywood Ending, Written in Holywood
Perhaps the most heartfelt tribute came from Bridie Sinden, assistant restaurant manager at the club and childhood friend of Rory and his caddie, Harry Diamond.
“He always said, ‘This is my dream—and I will do it,’” she recalls. “And now he has.
It’s so special to see Northern Ireland in the spotlight for something so inspiring. It’s a Hollywood ending—but it was made right here in Holywood.”