Iconic Irish golf course has been given a new name

The European Club once had a reputation for being one of the finest golf courses in Ireland, but that standing will soon be restored following its rebranding as the Brittas Bay Club, with its stunning layout now being reimagined by renowned architect Kyle Phillips.

Irish businessman Raymond Conlan and his family purchased the site in Wicklow last year, and they have tasked Philips, recognised for his brilliant work at venues like Kingsbarns and Dundonald (Scotland), Yas Links (Dubai), The Grove (England), and California Club (California), with enhancing the course.

"When I first spoke to Kyle, I was immediately inspired by his vision for the golf course," says Nicky Conlan, Managing Director speaking on behalf of the ownership. "I think his reputation is second to none when you look at some of the courses he’s designed."

Understanding the quality of land and extraordinary location he is working with, Phillips stresses that his main priority is to improve the playability of the golf course by opening sightlines to give golfers a variety of options to play each hole. Additionally, the plan is to expose more sea vistas and create a more enjoyable round for players of all abilities.

"One of the fun things about links golf is having multiple lines of play," says Phillips. "Our intention is to get the most out of the land and the best result we can within this beautiful property."

Over its history, much of the native plants and turf traditionally found on links golf courses had disappeared from the property that would become Brittas Bay Club. As part of the renovation, agronomists were utilised to return plant species and grasses that would be typically found on the property. Not only will this create a truer links experience for players, but it’ll help reestablish the natural landscape. The club’s goal is to embrace the incredible ecosystem that is home to the course.

Among the club’s initiatives is a plan to donate a portion of every green fee to the preservation of the Tern, a bird that nests annually in Brittas Bay.

"Our vision is to realise the full potential of this sight," says Conlan. "We believe we potentially have a world-class golf course on our hands and we treat that with huge respect with what’s gone on before us."

Turfgrass, one of the world’s leading golf development, agronomy and project management consultancies, has been appointed as owner’s representative, project manager and agronomic lead for the transformation of Brittas Bay Club, formerly The European Club, as the iconic links course enters this exciting new chapter.

Construction is being performed by Golf Link Evolve whose previous work includes Royal Birkdale, The Old Course at St Andrews and Turnberry.

In addition to the renovations on the course, the Brittas Bay Club plan to build a new 4,000 square foot clubhouse with separate men’s and women's locker rooms, a fully stocked pro shop and a second floor restaurant overlooking the golf course with unobstructed views of the Irish Sea.

The course is set to reopen in the spring of 2027. For more information, please visit https://brittasbayclub.ie/.