DESTINATION GOLF 2026
The Royal Dublin
Founded in 1885, The Royal Dublin is Ireland’ s oldest links. Its clubhouse sums up the quality and history embraced by the traditional out-and-back routing on Bull Island.
There are no big dunes here – this is about the natural twists and turns that make bump-and-run links golf a joy to play. Low, subtle and often narrow fairways lead into exceptional greens … but be warned: the bunkers may prove your undoing. Those bunkers have undergone a full rebuild under designer Frank Pont( Clayton, Devries & Pont), and their number has fallen from
93 to 55. Every one is superb and it has seen the links rise to another level.
You can expect a full-frontal assault when you reach the turn as the prevailing winds that made the front nine play benignly can hit you hard all the way home. Low struck shots may be the only way to play this back nine. Take inspiration from the plaque beside the 16th tee where Christy O’ Connor Senior started one of the greatest finishes in golf. He played the last three holes in five under par to win the Carrolls International in 1966.
Low, subtle and often narrow fairways lead into exceptional greens … but be warned: the bunkers may prove your undoing.
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