Of the 246 true links courses in the world, almost 20% are in Ireland. A golf trip in the Emerald Isle is like stepping into another world… one where great golf takes centre stage, where the pace of life is refreshingly sedate and the welcomes really are as warm as the legend suggests. Ireland has many spectacular Links Courses, many with dramatic sand dunes and beautiful coastlines. In addition Ireland also boasts some amazing parkland courses as well.
Our first Irish golf experience is at St Anne’s Golf Club which is located on the fabulous Bull Island in Dublin City , a world famous nature reserve and home to many bird species and terrestrial mammal species. It is also home to some beautiful plant species and you may even see seals hauled out on the sand.
Founded in 1921, St. Anne’s started life as a 9 hole course and in 1989 achieved 18 hole links course status.
It has come a long way from the humble clubhouse of 1925 its clubhouse is now an extraordinary building, designed to complement the surrounding landscape. Since 2003 it has what is now one of the most impressive clubhouses in the country with wonderful facilities and spectacular views of Dublin bay.
The Golf course is well presented with fast greens, lots of water hazards and tight fairways. Even on a calm day it presents a daunting challenge. It is a compact links with many of the holes running parallel to each other between low lying sand hills that adds character and definition to a fairly flat landscape. The four short holes here are all challenging and small water hazards come into play close to the green.
I am sure this inaugural experience will get our juices flowing and we will be chomping at the bit to savor some more great golf.