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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