DESTINATION GOLF 2025 2026
Royal Curragh
Royal Curragh
In 2013, The Curragh uncovered proof that it was the oldest golf club on the island. They used that opportunity to revive their‘ Royal’ prefix. It has given a unique club a deservedly higher profile. The free-draining soil means play is possible all year round, although the spring / summer months may prove most attractive when the gorse is in full bloom and the heathland feel is at its best. It is both alluring and a fair warning of the risks of going too far offline. Realistically, that shouldn’ t happen as there is space to play. There are plenty of changes in elevation and those bumpy, heathland-like fairways and natural greens mean every single shot is an adventure.
Palmerstown House
The site of a former stud, this is a muscular, championship course. It has that grand, glamorous feel, it has space and length, it has a magnificent clubhouse( part of Palmerstown House which dates back to the 1860s) and no expense was spared in its creation. Here, water abounds with 13 holes introducing ponds, lakes and streams. From the back tees the course measures 7,419 yards, but from the regular tees it is amore modest and manageable 6,468 yards – Christy O’ Connor Jr was kind enough to provide four men’ s tees. Gentle mounding steers you past pampas grasses, flowerbeds and tall trees, over generous fairways, around the water features and towards big swinging greens. The island green on the par three 10th provides a dramatic signature hole.
Knightsbrook
Knightsbrook is the full resort package and one of Ireland’ s newest parkland additions. The clubhouse is part of a hotel, and they both watch over the 1st hole which slides alongside. It is a Christy O’ Connor Jr design and it is a muscular beast, measuring 6,600 yards( par 72) from the forward green tees … you’ ll need to be driving well to take Knightsbrook on. But the doglegs are plentiful and the water features magnetic so length is only one of the requirements Trees are infrequent so you definitely have lots of room to play on an open, mounded landscape, and hitting into such quality greens is always a thrill.
Woodbrook
Woodbrook boasts a stunning location on the low cliff-tops north of Bray. This is a seaside parkland of easy pace, smooth terrain and explosive greens. Pine trees dominate but it still feels spacious and, when you reach the seaside holes and the views that spaciousness is fully displayed. To the south, Bray Head dominates, while Dalkey Island and Howth hover on the horizon to the north. Two new holes opened in 2023, between the trainline and the sea. Play in summer when the fescue grasses glow golden and Woodbrook is a blaze of colour.
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