Killarney( Mahony’ s Point)
Killarney( Mahony’ s Point)
Mahony’ s Point is a sweet foil to the muscularity of its Killeen sibling. They brush up against each other a couple of times, sharing the same terrain and the same stunning scenery. Indeed, a combination of their holes once formed the original 1930s course. But Mahony’ s Point is a gentler, quieter affair, with more accessible fairways and greens, as well as a more relaxed pace. While Killeen was being adorned with impressive modern design flourishes( completed in 2006), Mahony’ s Point was left well alone. This is old school parkland and while the course is undergoing some upgrades( under Ken Kearney) that old school charm is set to remain.
Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay is tucked away in west Cork, perched on a high rolling landscape above the sea and the charming fishing village of Bantry. The setting is glorious, with views spilling across the bay to mountains and peninsulas. The course has an unexpectedly muscular feel, no doubt due to Christy O’ Connor Jr’ s influence which uses the big rolls of the landscape to full effect, including several blind shots. This is no place for the faint of heart so get out the driver and swing hard. The greens are correspondingly big with tiers and slopes that will test you all day long.
Dundrum House
This is such a peaceful estate setting for a golf course. Here you’ ll find an early 18th century manor house – now a hotel – as a centrepiece and the Multeen River sliding gracefully through the Co. Tipperary landscape. It affects several holes and is a serious water hazard. Big trees dominate and the course’ s designer, Philip Walton, did a wonderful job using the natural features to create this impressive par 72 course. It starts calmly, easing you in, but after three lakeland-style holes Dundrum House really begins to hum from the par five 7th on. This is when the river comes in to play and it is a danger on tee shots and approaches alike. One of the undoubted highlights is the 10th, where a stand of three regal oaks dominates the fairway and the river runs along the right hand side. It is a dogleg and Index 2.
Ballybunion( Cashen)
Many believe the Cashen was blessed with dunes even more spectacular than the Old course. You’ ll need to play both to decide for yourself but the wonderful Co. Kerry setting remains the same. The Old has been left relatively untouched, embracing classic links traditions, but the Cashen is a more revolutionary beast. Opened in 1984, it was designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior, who set greens in positions which demand target golf and not classic bump-and-run approach shots. It matters little … the Cashen is thrill-a-minute golf where you get tossed around as dunes get ever more dramatic. There are blind shots and deep hollows everywhere. The back nine promises epic approach shots and holes 14 to 17 are the pick of the bunch as they find the coastline.
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