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.
Locals know all about County Louth Golf Club, which they call Baltray, But it often escapes overseas visitors. While often overlooked in the discussion of links golf in Ireland, those in the know revere it as one of the best links courses on the East Coast -- if not all -- of Ireland. Any golf trip to Dublin without playing County Louth is incomplete, Mike Bailey writes.
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.
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.
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?
The history of Royal Dublin Golf Club, the second-oldest links course in Ireland, reveals a dedicated membership that always remains loyal to its links. Surviving a World War and a major fire, the club hosted the European Tour's Irish Open from 1983-85, Royal Dublin is now bigger and better than ever. Jason Scott Deegan describes plenty of reasons why this historic and conveniently located links course makes an ideal place to begin your golf trip to the Emerald Isle.
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.
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.
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.
The 27-hole Portmarnock Golf Club is the most revered links playground in Dublin. Ranked 30th in the world by Golf Digest, Portmarnock dates to 1894 and has hosted 13 Irish Opens in the modern era of the European Tour. The 7,466-yard championship course won't wow visitors with its views or heavy dune cover. It just pummels them with strong holes and length.
Just five miles from Dublin on Dublin Bay, St. Anne's Golf Club offers classic links golf in a tranquil setting. Located on the Bull Island Nature Reserve, St. Anne's is a member-owned club open to the public. Play the par-71 course from the tips at 6,717 yards and it's all the challenge you want, especially in the wind.