Castlemartyr Golf Resort

The 6,790-yard golf course at the Castlemartyr Resort forms the main recreational option at a 5-star County Cork facility that also offers more sedate recreational facilities like archery, croquet and clay pigeon shooting. Guests can also wander around the spectacular formal gardens within the grounds or make use of the health club and spa.

The 18 holes are set within a 220-acre old manor estate and the lush fairways were routed in two returning loops of nine by architect Ron Kirby – of Dromoland Castle and Old Head fame – with the golfing public first given its opportunity to play here in 2008. The front nine measures exactly 500 yards less than the back nine so golfers might want to score well on the outward half then hold on to what they have after the turn.

Director of Golf, Brady Sherwood, nominates the 211-yard par three 5th as the signature hole on the Castlemartyr course. His advice at this hole is to “take three and run. The large green slopes severely from left to right with a couple of unpleasant greenside bunkers gathering the off line approach. Club selection can require anything from a wood to a mid iron depending on the wind strength and direction”.