Kildare
On the golfing front, 20 clubs are affiliated to the Golf Union of Ireland via its Leinster Branch and two of these – the K Club at Straffan and Carton House in Maynooth – operate a pair of premier parkland courses with all four of these 18-hole layouts featuring prominently in the Top 50 rankings of Irish golf courses. The Curragh is one of the most historically important clubs in Ireland as its course, dating back to 1852, is regarded as the oldest in the country. The club itself celebrated its centenary in 1983 making it the second oldest in the land (after Royal Belfast). However, the Curragh's historian established in 2013 that the club was actually founded in 1858.
The K Club (Palmer North)
Kildare, Ireland
The K Club (Palmer North)
The K Club, or to give it its full title, the Kildare Country Club, is located in 550 acres of rolling County Kildare countryside – it’s the most renowned golf resort in Ireland.
Carton House (Montgomerie)
Kildare, Ireland
Carton House (Montgomerie)
The Montgomerie course at Carton House hosted the 2005 Irish Open. Although not a links course, it looks and plays like one.
Palmerstown House Estate Golf Club
Kildare, Ireland
Palmerstown House Estate Golf Club
Jim Mansfield bought the Palmerstown House Estate in 1999 and, with the help of Christy O’Connor Jnr, he has since transformed a substantial part of the former stud farm into a magnificent championship golf course
Carton House (O'Meara)
Kildare, Ireland
Carton House (O'Meara)
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.
The K Club (Palmer South)
Kildare, Ireland
The K Club (Palmer South)
If you are a traditionalist then the Smurfit golf course is probably not up your street. If you are seeking thrills and excitement, then the K Club is for you.
Royal Curragh
Kildare, Ireland
Royal Curragh
Royal Curragh Golf Club claims to play over the oldest course in all of Ireland. In 2013, the club chose to revive its Royal title, an honour conferred on it by the British monarchy over a century before.
