DESTINATION GOLF 2026
Dromoland Castle
Dooks
Dooks sits amidst Ireland’ s most beautiful and enchanting setting. The views are of the 360 degree variety, across the MacGillycuddy’ s Reeks, the Dingle Peninsula and the waters of Castlemaine Harbour. The golf course is every bit as exciting as the scenery, sliding down gently over bumpy terrain to the sea. Dooks is unadulterated fun and boasts some of the best greens in Ireland. There is a slight air of idiosyncrasy to the course, thanks to holes designed by the members back in the late 1960s, and even though Martin Hawtree was brought in to make more professional revisions in 2005, some of the quirky character remains.
Lahinch
Take Old Tom Morris, add plenty of Alister MacKenzie and stir with some Martin Hawtree … spread liberally over a boisterous Co. Clare dunescape and leave for generations to come. MacKenzie is the chief architect, with Hawtree working hard to restore MacKenzie traits which had been lost – around greens most notably. Today, even with Old Tom Morris’ s Klondyke and Dell holes left untouched, there is a rhythm that drives you into and through what feels like a ridge of dunes clinging to the coastline. And yet the variety is captivating with blind shots, long and short par fours and utterly deceptive approaches.
Dromoland Castle
It rumbles over open rolling pasture, through the dense trees and brings natural lakes and streams into play.
This stunning estate parkland in Co. Clare blends into over 400 acres of mature woodland. It rumbles over open rolling pasture, through the dense trees and brings natural lakes( with Special Areas of Conservation) and streams into play. It is the full five star parkland package with super quality and a back nine that enthrals and terrifies in equal measure … the pretty and driveable par four 15th is followed by the brutally tough Index 1 16th. The 16th century baronial castle presides over it all and when you tee off on the towering par three 7th – the shot of the day – the castle lies beyond. Home to the Women’ s Irish Open in 2022 and 2023. The considerable recent upgrades have only enhanced this parkland’ s reputation further.
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