Carton House (O'Meara) - Kildare - Ireland

4th Kildare - Best in Area 47th Ireland Ranking
Carton House,
Maynooth,
Co. Kildare,
Ireland

  • +353 (0) 1 505 2000

  • Martin Mangan

  • Mark O'Meara and Tim Lobb

  • Jason Totos

Championships hosted: Eisenhower Trophy, Espirito Santo Trophy, Irish Amateur Open

The O'Meara course is the oldest of the two 18-hole layouts at Carton House, opening for play in May 2002. The layout was designed by Mark in conjunction with Tim Lobb when he was with European Golf Design,

Carton Estate was the family seat of the Leinsters from 1176 and it is Lady Emily Leinster who is credited with adding a wide variety of non-native trees to the property in the middle of the 18th century.

That is why you will find Blue cedars at the 7th tee, Lebanese cedars behind the 15th green and Copper beeches near the 16th hole. It is hardly surprising then, when you add this selection of trees to the many sycamores, firs and pines on the estate, that the O’Meara course is classed as a parkland track.

Tyrconnel Tower overlooks the course and can be viewed from eleven holes. Coincidentally, the same number of holes are designed such that they favour those who can shape the ball from right to left – just like the architect's trademark shot.

Holes are routed over gently undulating landscape but the best are kept until (almost) last with Carton’s own “Amen Corner” from the 14th to the 16th down beside the meandering River Rye.

The 561-yard, par five, 15th crosses the river not once but twice between the tee and green and this heroic hole is sandwiched between two wonderful par threes. The 185-yard 14th is played to a green surrounded by water to the front, left and behind – so pinpoint accuracy is called for with the tee shot – and the 180-yard 16th requires a tee shot with 150 yards of carry over water. No bunkers required to toughen up what is already a knee trembler on the tee!

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Reviews for Carton House (O'Meara)

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Description: The O'Meara is the oldest of the two courses at Carton House. Designed by Mark in conjunction with European Golf Design, opening for play in May 2002. Rating: 7.2 out of 10 Reviews: 6
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Gary GALBRAITH

Tough enough but pleasant course with a LOT of walking involved and quite a few hills, so maybe a buggy is advisable for the less mobile. The 'Amen Corner' trio of holes from 14-16 are what elevates it to 'very good'

September 07, 2021
7 / 10
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Alan Hickey

One of the best back nines I have played. A really good course with well thought out layout. Of the back pegas it's long, proper long. We'll worth a journey out and when considered alongside its younger brother the Monty which is a 6,well worth a cheeky weekend away

September 16, 2020
8 / 10
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jim

Played the O Meara course at the end of May. It is a nice course but apart from 4 holes it is nothing special and quite easy to score on. Be advised as it quite a hilly course and we played on a hot day which made it a bit of a drudge.

May 30, 2017
6 / 10
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Andrew Gilbert
so enjoyable we played it twice! Glorious golf, course in mint condition, set in stunningly beautiful parkland with views of Carton House (super Hotel), Maynooth and the surrounding countryside. I can vividly remember every hole, and 13-17 are just yet further imrpovements on the holes before, with 14-16 just drop-dead gorgeous holes in the river valley. The newly-modified 18 is slightly a let-down, but this is a course where you can open your shoulders and have a go if you dare (10 and 13 being almost-driveable par 4s when the conditions are right), with plenty of fiendishness in wait if you're not spot on. Would go back and play it in a heartbeat.
June 24, 2015
10 / 10
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Andy Newmarch
Expected a lot less than I got here – If you think you are about to play just a regular hotel course, then prepare to enjoy the O’Meara course. Carton House (O'Meara) Golf Course - Photo by reviewerThe whole Carton House experience is amazing, if you opt for a stay and play option you are in for a treat, this is a beautiful hotel. The back nine will definitely get golfing juices flowing, especially the final six holes…. the 13th is a nice downhill par-4 around 360 yards and a definite birdie chance, the 14th is a beautiful par-3 with plenty of the River Rye to consider. Moving to the 15th … a really good par-5, the river runs the length of the hole on the left and then cuts in front of the green to form a substantial hazard. The par-3 16th will be a favourite for many golfers but before you hit back over the river, take time to look through the windows of Shell Cottage just by the tee, well worth it. The par-5 17th is the best long hole on the course, reaching around 560 yards with strategic bunkering…The final hole plays uphill to a raised green that you cannot see, take an extra club here….. A stay at Carton House is very impressive.
May 26, 2012
6 / 10
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Hugh
The O'Meara course falls into a similar category as the Smurfit course at the K Club. It's a modern, entertaining, challenging and manicured course that ticks all the right boxes but somehow fails to get the pulse racing. I'm a traditional course enthusiast but I do like plenty of modern courses, including The European and Old Head but I think both courses at Carton House fall someway short of the best that Ireland has to offer.
June 04, 2009
6 / 10
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Shane
November 09, 2011
When compared with its younger Carton House sibling across the Rye Water, the O’Meara course is the cheese to the Montgomerie course’s chalk. Mark O’Meara’s first foray into design in Ireland is a stunning masterpiece set amid rolling meadows and mature trees, it will only get better with age It’s stadium nature would grace any competition and the drama is heightened on the back nine with a stunning stretch of three holes, running from the 14th to the 16th, that are sure to quicken the pulse of all would be golfers. The 14th is played from an elevated tee to a green situated some 100 feet below, there is plenty of room to bail out on the right but a small river runs around the green from front to back making club selection all important. The 15th is a long par five and a three shotter for all but the longest hitters, the aforementioned river runs along the left hand side of the ample fairway which is framed by enormous trees, the second/third shot is played over the river at it’s widest point to a shallow green which. The walk from the fairway to the green is a most delightful experience as a weir is negotiated with the help of a bridge. The drama intensifies with the 16th which can be best described using three words; tee, lake, green. All in all the O’Meara is an enjoyable examination and is to be recommended to all and sundry.