Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland, is on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. Its historic buildings include Dublin Castle, dating to the 13th century, and imposing St Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1191. City parks include landscaped St Stephen’s Green and huge Phoenix Park, containing Dublin Zoo. The National Museum of Ireland explores Irish heritage and culture.
The O'Meara Course at Carton House Golf Club in County Kildare, Ireland, has its own version of Augusta National's "Amen Corner." Like an engine on a cold morning, O'Meara sputters a bit to start, but the course roars to life on the back nine. Located on the Rye River-enhanced nos. 14-16, the course's Amen Corner is as good a three-hole stretch of parkland golf as Ireland offers.
Jason Scott Deegan helps a reader who wants to know the best golf destination for four middle-age couples visiting Ireland for the first time. Dublin or the southwest?
Most visiting golfers who land in Dublin follow a similar game plan, like cattle following the herd. They play Portmarnock, a top-100 course just minutes from the tarmac, then scatter in all directions to seek out their other top-100 targets. Here's a novel idea: Why not stick around? Dublin has blossomed into one of Europe's most fascinating cities. And savvy golfers know there are world-class links just north of the city. Here, then, are the top five Dublin-area links.
The Palmer Ryder Cup Course at the K Club, located 30 minutes outside Dublin, will always be a historic parkland playground for golfers. The 2006 Ryder Cup venue is stocked with water on 14 holes, but it's well worth losing golf balls to play a real Ryder Cup course. Jason Scott Deegan shows us more in this photo gallery.
Located 30 minutes outside Dublin, the two courses at Carton House Golf Club provide a stark contrast to one another. The Montgomerie Course, a 7,301-yard inland links, is dotted with 130 cavernous bunkers. Mark O'Meara's 7,006-yard parkland design is more forgiving. Holes 14-16 run through a scenic valley containing the Rye River. Director of Golf Francis Howley calls this stretch "our Amen Corner.
Every golf trip launching out of Dublin Airport should start at Portmarnock Golf Club. Located just minutes from the airport, Portmarnock is among the top 50 clubs in the world.
Within a 30-minute radius of Dublin, there is a tremendous variety of golf courses, from rugged links to posh parkland playgrounds. Jason Scott Deegan takes you on a photo tour of the area, from Royal Dublin and Portmarnock, to The Island Golf Club and County Louth, to The K Club, Carton House and Druids Glen Resort.
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