Brittas Bay Club (formerly European Club)

Brittas Bay Club (formerly The European Club) underwent a transformational change in 2025 when Irish businessman Raymond Conlan and his family acquired Pat Ruddy's renowned links.

The course closed immediately for comprehensive redesign by Kyle Phillips, with reopening scheduled for 2027 on the dramatic dunes of County Wicklow's coastline.

Why Play Brittas Bay Club?

Experience Kyle Phillips' reimagining of one of Ireland's most challenging links layouts. The reopened venue will feature improved playability whilst retaining championship credentials at this spectacular Irish Sea location.

History of Brittas Bay Club

Pat Ruddy discovered the 193-acre Brittas Bay site in 1986 during helicopter surveys of Ireland's coastline. Construction began in 1987, with the original course opening on Boxing Day 1992 as The European Club. The quirky par-71 routing featured only two par-5s and three par-3s, with 20 holes total, including relief holes 7a and 12a.

The original layout measured 7,490 yards from championship tees and consistently ranked among the world's top 100 golf courses. Tiger Woods shot a course record 67 in 2002, praising it as a "wonderful workout". Rory McIlroy famously called it "probably the best links course I have ever played". The distinctive railway sleeper-lined bunkers became the course's signature architectural feature.

Following the 2025 sale, the Conlan family appointed Kyle Phillips to redesign the links. Turfgrass consultancy leads agronomy, whilst Golf Link Evolve handles construction, having previously worked on Royal Birkdale, St Andrews Old Course and Turnberry.

Plans include a new 4,000-square-foot clubhouse with separate changing facilities, professional shop and second-floor restaurant overlooking the Irish Sea.

Course Layout & Playing Experience

Phillips' redesign prioritises playability improvements through expanded sightlines and multiple strategic options per hole. The routing will expose more sea vistas across all 18 holes whilst reducing the difficulty that characterised Ruddy's original. Championship length remains at approximately 7,400 yards, but the new layout includes at least one drivable par-4 under 400 yards.

The redesign retains select strong holes from the original routing. The former 8th, an inland par-4 through towering dunes, returns in a similar footprint. The former 11th running seaward and the former 12th stretching 460 yards directly along the beach both feature in revised form. The acclaimed 7a par-3 framed by dramatic dunes survives the transformation.

Agronomists are reintroducing native grasses and plant species traditionally found on the links. This ecological restoration aims to create authentic playing conditions whilst supporting the local ecosystem, including protected Tern populations that nest annually at Brittas Bay. The club commits a portion of every green fee to Tern conservation.

Phillips' vision centres on exposing the site's natural qualities. Rather than blindness and severe challenge, the new routing emphasises strategic variety and visual drama from the spectacular coastal setting 58km (36 miles) south of Dublin.

Notable Architectural Features

Kyle Phillips brings extensive links expertise to the project. His acclaimed Scottish designs include Kingsbarns near St Andrews, which opened in 2000 and hosted the 2017 Women's British Open, and Dundonald on Ayrshire's coast, which opened in 2005 and regularly hosts European Tour events. Phillips also created The Grove near London and Yas Links in Dubai.

Managing Director Nicky Conlan explains the selection: "When I first spoke to Kyle, I was immediately inspired by his vision". Phillips himself notes his priority is "to get the most out of the land and the best result we can within this beautiful property".

The transformation marks a philosophical shift from Ruddy's deliberately demanding original to a more accessible championship venue. Phillips aims to create what he describes as "a championship, Ayrshire-style, links course that felt and played as though it was an old, rediscovered course".

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Travel & Planning

Regional Golf Context

Brittas Bay Club sits within County Wicklow's exceptional golf concentration. Druids Glen, approximately 20km (12 miles) north near Newtownmountkennedy, offers championship parkland conditions with a former Irish Open pedigree. The twin courses at Druids Glen Resort - the original Glen course and Druids Heath - provide contrasting parkland and heathland experiences.

Wicklow Golf Club overlooks the Irish Sea 12km (7 miles) north of Wicklow town. Arklow Golf Club's classic links layout sits approximately 20km (12 miles) south along the coast.

Powerscourt Golf Club's twin courses in Enniskerry, roughly 35km (22 miles) northwest, frame dramatic Wicklow Mountains views.

Dublin's exceptional coastal links corridor sits 60km (37 miles) north. Portmarnock, The Island, Royal Dublin and Portmarnock Links offer world-class links golf within 90-minute drives. County Louth at Baltray represents Ireland's finest accessible championship links approximately 100km (62 miles) northeast.

Practical Planning

The venue will operate as public pay-and-play following reopening. Advanced booking will prove essential given the transformed reputation and limited alternative links venues in County Wicklow. Accommodation options cluster in nearby Wicklow town and at resort properties like Druids Glen.

Transport Information ✈️

Dublin Airport: 76km (47 miles), approximately 60 minutes driving via M50 and M11 motorways. Major car rental facilities with direct motorway access provide convenient self-drive options from Ireland's principal international gateway.

Public Transport: Irish Rail operates regular services from Dublin to Wicklow station, approximately 12km (7 miles) from the course. Journey time from Dublin Pearse station is 65 minutes, with taxi connections completing the final leg.

Private Aviation: Weston Airport near Dublin accommodates private jets approximately 70km (43 miles) from the venue.

Ground Transport: Primary access via M11 motorway south from Dublin, exiting onto R750 regional road through Wicklow. Final approach follows coastal roads through Brittas Bay village.

Seasonal Timing

Spring: March through May offers firm conditions as the links awakens from winter dormancy. Advanced booking essential as Irish golf holidays accelerate into peak season. Variable weather requires adaptable clothing layers.

Summer: June through August delivers peak visitor numbers and maximum daylight hours for extended rounds. Booking several months ahead proves necessary. Occasional softer conditions from increased rainfall.

Autumn: September through November provides shoulder-season value with reduced visitor numbers. Firmer playing conditions return as weather cools. Wicklow's deciduous landscapes offer spectacular colour transitions.

Winter: December through February typically sees course closures for maintenance and limited playing opportunities. The coastal location experiences challenging wind conditions and reduced daylight hours unsuitable for destination golf holidays.

Brittas Bay Club: The Verdict

The Conlan family's investment and Kyle Phillips' architectural pedigree position the reopened Brittas Bay Club as Ireland's most anticipated new golf destination. The transformation from Ruddy's deliberately severe original to Phillips' more strategic routing reflects evolving preferences in championship links design.

Phillips' track record at Kingsbarns demonstrates his ability to craft modern links that honour Scottish traditions whilst embracing contemporary playability standards. The restoration of native links ecosystems alongside Tern conservation initiatives adds an environmental dimension to the purely sporting proposition.

Whether the redesign captures the original European Club's mystique whilst attracting broader audiences remains unanswered until 2027. The combination of spectacular Brittas Bay setting, proven architectural expertise, and significant financial backing suggests potential for exceptional results.