Killeen Castle
No other course can boast such a glorious landscape as Killeen
Castle. Six hundred lazy acres, drenched in trees, wrapped around
a 12th century castle… how could it not be the idyllic setting for a
Jack Nicklaus ‘Signature’ course. This is the longest course in Ireland
(7,677 yards), and home to the Solheim Cup in 2011, but golfers of all
abilities will enjoy this expansive course. There are five tees (choose
wisely) and fairways always appear wide and inviting, which makes
this a delicious driving course. The bigger challenges come around
elaborately shaped and bunkered greens – very much another of
Jack’s signatures. Every hole is strong, but the par five 12th, with
its stream cascading across the front of the green, may be Killeen
Castle’s signature hole. The lake squeezed between the 2nd and
17th, however, presents the biggest danger, while not one of the par
threes can be described as easy. For many golfers, it is the rise to
the 18th green, at the foot of the castle, which will be remembered
most. The busy Dave Pelz Golf School is part of the complex.
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