Dundalk Road (N53),
Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
Office
+353 (0)42 974 9485Pro shop
+353 (0)42 974 9485Fax
+353 (0)42 975 4576Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Ciarán Lavery (PGA Head Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb, hilly.
Surroundings:
Lakeside (Lough Muckno) and open countryside.
Designer:
Christy O’Connor Sr & Jr
54.109578
-6.704385
29 km NW of Dundalk / 2 km SE of Castleblaney.
The course entrance is located on the Dundalk Road (N53) out of Castleblayney town, approximately 200 metres after the 100kph speed limit sign travelling towards Dundalk.
Concra Wood Golf & Country Club: spectacularly bordered on three sides by Lough Muckno, scenic Concra Wood is home to many wonderful lakeside and lake view holes. The course is the latest stage in the evolution of Castleblayney Golf Club, which relocated to this site in 2008. With the move came the new name, Concra Wood.
The shape and flow of the layout complement the drumlins that roll across the gently undulating terrain. Trees stretch their way around the course and between the holes, adding to the the beauty of the course and its challenges. In the middle section of both nines, you play down to the lake's edge.
Pick of the holes: making full use of Lough Muckno, the short par-5 15th requires you cut across a corner of the lake from the tee. While at the long par-4 16th, you seemingly tee-off in the lake, as you set out on the right-to-left doglegging hole towards its lakeside green.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends
Must book in advance.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Soft spikes only. Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire (if booked in advance).
Good
Founded as a nine-hole course in 1905, opposite the entrance to Concra Wood, Castleblayney Golf Club shut down in 1949. In 1985, it was reborn in the grounds of Hope Castle (visible across Lough Muckno), before moving to its current location in 2008, and expanding to 18 holes.
The ruins of an old folly castle (known locally as McMahon’s Castle), built by Lord Blayney, lies beside the 8th tee box, while the Temple ruin (a picnic retreat for Lord Blayney) is located between the 9th tee and 4th fairway.
Ireland's 51st best course (Golf World, 2025).
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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