The initial event of a new poker tour has won by Irish poker pro Padraig Parkinson.

The new tour, called the United Kingdom & Ireland Poker Tour or UKIPT, kicked off on December 11, 2009, with a three-day tournament at the Radisson Hotel in Galway, Ireland.

UKIPT Galway was a no-limit Texas hold ‘em tourney with 259 entrants, a buy-in of 2,000 euros and a total prize pool of 471,380 euros.

For the victory, Parkinson, who is from Galway, earned 125,000 euros.

“We couldn’t have asked for a stronger final table lineup to start the tour or a better winner,” said UKIPT flack Nick Wealthall.

“Padraig has always been a top tournament player and he’s proved it again here. The fact that he’s a native of Galway makes it all the more special.

“Everyone watching the event knew Padraig was going to win. The whole event had an amazing atmosphere and none of us can wait for the next event in Manchester.”

The runnerup at UKIPT Galway was Paul “Bone” Marrow of England, who earned 82,000 euros.

Taking third was Ben “Pepe” Lefew of the USA, who earned 52,000 euros.

Copping fourth was Michael Graydon of Ireland, who earned 36,000 euros.

Finishing fifth was Michael McFadgen of Canada, who earned 22,000 euros.

Coming in sixth was Paul “Big” Dooley of Ireland, who earned 17,000 euros.

Taking seventh was Vinny Cosgrove of Ireland, who earned 13,000 euros.

Finishing in eighth place was Cat O’Neill of Ireland, who earned 11,000 euros.

Ending ninth was Trevor Bulless of England, who earned 9,000 euros.

The next stop on the UKIPT is Manchester, England, on February 11, 2010, followed by stops in Coventry, England, on April 8, 2010; in Nottingham, England, on May 13, 2010; in Killarney, Ireland, on June 24, 2010; in Brighton, England, on July 15, 2010; in Dublin, Ireland, on September 9, 2010; and in London, England, on October 2, 2010.

The new UKIPT is sponsored by online poker room Poker Stars (www.pokerstars.com).

Poker Stars also sponsors three other poker tours: the European Poker Tour, the Asia-Pacific Poker Tour and the Latin American Poker Tour.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)