There is More to Golf in Ireland Than Links Courses

Playing golf in Ireland surely must be on everyone’s bucket list, and while many dream of playing the famous world-class links courses, there is so much more to enjoy.

The good news is you don’t need to head far from Dublin, the most common point of arrival for most Brits, to find courses dripping in history and high quality.

The capital city of the Republic of Ireland is blessed with scores of fantastic courses, and some of the inland parkland are to be found in ancient counties of Kildare and Meath.

Kildare is famed for horse breeding and its stately homes, some of which are now the centre for some top golf resorts.

Adjoining Co Kildare is Co Meath, another area steeped in history. Known locally as the Royal County, legend dates it to be the original seat of the High Kings of Ireland, whose origins predate written history. Today it is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from afar.

We recently visited the counties to check out three of the best golf courses the area has to offer.

The K Club

The Kildare Hotel & Golf Club, popularly known as The K Club, is a luxury resort built in the grounds of the former Straffan estate, and it uses the 1830s Straffan House as its 134-bed hotel. It was bought by the Smurfit family in 1988, turned into The K Club, and sold in 2020 to Michael Fetherston, a local entrepreneur and long-time member who embarked on a multi-year investment programme on the properties and both courses.

It has two top-quality courses - the Palmer North and South, named after the legendary golfer and the designer of both, Arnold Palmer.

The North, host to the Ryder Cup in 2006 and to the Irish Open in 2023, 2025, 2028, is the jewel in the crown, reflected in the green fee.

It oozes quality throughout, starting with the excellent clubhouse which overlooks the famous 18th hole. It’s packed with Ryder Cup memorabilia and sets the scene for a memorable round.

The course is set in the estate’s historic 550-acre parkland and weaves around a number of pretty lakes that have been reshaped to the original design - pretty, as long as your ball isn’t in them, that is!

It opens with a par 5 which at 539 yards off the green tees is a tempting birdie opportunity for the longer hitters, although the green is heavily guarded by sand.

The first of the many water holes appears immediately, lurking dangerously to the left of the drive on the dogleg 2nd hole and water menaces again on the par 3 3rd and again on the short and tempting 4th.

Water remains a general theme throughout the round, exemplified by the memorable 7th and 18th holes both of which stick long in the memory.

The par 5 7th is a beautiful hole running alongside the River Liffey on the left for the length of the hole. The green lies across the river requiring a deft approach.

Perhaps the most famous hole is the 18th, a risk or reward for the biggest hitters who will take on the fairway bunkers on the corner of the dogleg on the right leaving a long iron to the green, skirting the lake on the left.

Carton House

30 minutes from The K Club is Carton House, a 1,100 acre walled estate that straddles Co Kildare and Co Meath. At the centre is the former seat of the FitzGerald family and it’s now part of a smart hotel surrounded by two courses, a classic parkland layout, O’Meara, and an inland links-like, the Montgomerie, named after their designers respectively.

The O’Meara, host of the 2025 KPMG Women’s Irish Open, meanders through ancient woodlands and along the banks of the River Rye. It features lovely wide fairways, large contoured greens and plenty of bunkers throughout.

It’s not hard to enjoy your game here. The estate is so large it feels secluded and away from the rest of the world, although Dublin is only 25 minutes drive away.

An unexpected highlight comes as you descend a slope to the 14th tee, where a glorious view of the River Rye opens up below. This hole is the first of a series of three that are talked about throughout Ireland. The 14th itself, a downhill par 3 plays longer than it looks. It is followed by a stunning par 5 which culminates with a shot over the river to a green in front of a Victorian boat house.

The 16th is another par 3, playing over a wide expanse of the river with a stand of mature trees in the background.

Killeen Castle

Located in Co Meath, Killeen Castle offers different accommodation; guests are housed in luxury lodges surrounded by a top notch Jack Nicklaus Signature course. The Castle is currently undergoing extensive renovation before it reopens as a boutique style hotel.

The heart of the property is the clubhouse which acts as pro-shop, reception for the accommodation, offices, bar and restaurants.

Its course, opened in 2008 is one of only two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses in Ireland, and it’s a real treat, though challenging. It’s a firm favourite of the Golfshake Community attracting rave reviews.

The host of the 2011 Solheim Cup and the Ladies Irish Open 2010-2012, it has been voted the best parkland course near Dublin on several occasions. It will host the 2025 and 2027 Irish Challenge.

Few will take on the challenge of playing from the tips - it measure 7,700 yards - so most leave their egos behind and opt for one of the other tees. It opens with an inviting downhill par 4, offering a nice wide fairway to get you in the mood.

From there it weaves through the estate offering great views with mature trees, reed filled ponds and views of the castle itself which stands majestically on the hillside behind the 18th green.

Our group was really impressed with the layout, conditioning and sheer beauty of the Killeen Castle course.

So many memorable holes, from the 600 yard 2nd to an elevated green, through to the gorgeous par 4 risk or reward 12th, where the green is tucked away the other side of a river.

Off Course

It’s hard to drag yourself away from the golf courses in this part of Ireland but as the region is world famous for its racehorse breeding it’s worth considering a visit to the Irish National Stud & Gardens, just outside Kildare town.

Horses have been born and bred there since 1900. Here you can learn everything you need to know about horse breeding and see some great race horses in retirement. The on-site award winning Irish Racehorse Experience is an enthralling interactive journey through the trials and tribulations of owning a thoroughbred culminating in a hilarious simulated race. A guided tour is recommended.

Verdict

It’s so easy to get to Dublin from the UK by car or ferry and despite the huge appeal of the rest of the country there is so much great golf to enjoy nearby. These top quality layouts are among the best parkland courses in Europe and are within 30 miles of each other, making for an ideal three course trip.

Check out our travel partner Golfbreaks for deals in Ireland and beyond.

For more information, please visit https://www.ireland.com/golf.

Image Credit: Peter Ellegard