North Bull Island, Dollymount,
Dublin 3, Co. Dublin
Office
+353 (0)1 833 6346Pro shop
+353 (0)1 833 6477Fax
+353 (0)1 833 6504Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Leonard Owens (Head Golf Professional)The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Gently undulating terrain - easy to walk.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Original Harry Colt design dates from 1921. Modifications by Martin Hawtree (2002).
53.356699
-6.170658
8 km E of Dublin
From the M50 motorway north of Dublin take exit 3 (M1 / M50 intersection) onto the N32 direction Malahide. After 4.8 km turn right at roundabout into Grange Road, heading south. After 1 km turn right into Kilbarrack Road, and then first left into Raheny Road. After 1.6 km (past church in Raheny) turn left into Watermill Road. After o.8 km turn right at traffic lights into James Larkin Road and follow road with North Bull Island on your left. After 1.8 km turn left and go over the Wooden Bridge. After o.8 km golf is on your left.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club: Located close to the shoreline of Dublin Bay, a large sand bar known as Bull Island plays host to two links golf courses. St Anne's Golf Club occupies the northern half of the island, while the better known and more prestigious Royal Dublin occupies the island's southern half.
The current design of Royal Dublin dates from just after the 1914-18 War, when Harry Colt restored the course following a few years in the hands of the military. The sand dunes he had to work with are relatively modest in size, but from them the great man fashioned a top-quality layout. This classic out-and-back course is full of strategically placed bunkering, roller-coaster (but often tight) fairways and threatening water ditches.
From the course you will enjoy views onto Dublin Bay from the more elevated tees. At the most southerly, clubhouse end of the course, the Port of Dublin also provides a backdrop to some holes, with its ferries, cranes and power-station all in the picture.
Visitors welcome on weekdays (except Weds), Saturdays (4pm-5:30pm) and Sundays (10am-12pm).
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Credit cards accepted. Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2018].
Soft spikes only. Players generally walk this course.
Good
The land on which Royal Dublin and neighbouring St Anne's Golf Club are based has an interesting past. Previously nothing existed here except a few sand banks that were usually submerged under the sea. In 1823 a sea wall was built out from the shore at Clontarf to the west. Once the wall was completed, sand began to build-up behind it. By the late 1800s an area of sand dunes covering more than 600 acres had been created.
Queen Victoria conferred the Royal prefix on Dublin Golf Club in 1891, at a time when Ireland was part of the United Kingdom (1801–1921). By royal prerogative, two Irish golf clubs can use the "Royal" title, namely: Royal Curragh and Royal Dublin. | Royal Dublin has hosted many top level championships including the Irish Open on several occasions (recent winners: Seve Ballesteros in 1983 and 1985, Bernhard Langer in 1984).
2019 Golf World rating: 36th best course in Ireland.
Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3
+ 353 (0)1 833 2321
Visit websiteClontarf Castle is a luxurious Irish castle hotel, dating (in parts) from the 12th century. It is located just two miles from the heart of the city and only five miles from Dublin Airport.
No
Royal Dublin; St Anne's; Portmarnock; Portmarnock Links.
The Island; Roganstown; St Margaret's; Castleknock; Luttrellstown Castle; South County; Grange; Powerscourt; Woodbrook.
No
Royal Dublin
Portmarnock; Portmarnock Links; St Margaret's; Luttrellstown Castle; Grange; Powerscourt.
Tournaments:
US Women's PGA Championship: located just outside Philadelphia, the famed Donald Ross layout of Aronimink Golf Club hosts the third women’s major championship of 2020 (Oct 8-11).
Scottish Open: first played in 1972, this year’s championship is again played on the Tom Doak-designed Renaissance Club course, which sits alongside mighty Muirfield in East Lothian (Oct 1-4).
Who's Who:
Jim Furyk: in winning the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links, “The Grinder” joined Arnold Palmer and Bruce Fleisher as the only players to win their first two starts on the PGA Tour Champions.
Georgia Hall: recorded her first win in an LPGA Tour event on American soil at this year’s Portland Classic, played at Columbia Edgewater Country Club … on the edge of the Columbia River.
Traigh Golf Course (pronounced "try", and meaning "beach" in Gaelic): You'll find this nine-hole seaside gem on the scenic coast road (as opposed to the more inland and quicker A830) between Arisaig and Morar. Although not on the well-beaten path of Scotland's "trophy" courses, if you are passing through this area, it's a must play.
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Cullen Links Golf Club: "immensely scenic", "quirky as golf can get", "short!", "hugely enjoyable" ... Cullen Links attracts as wide a variety of comments as it lays down golfing challenges. Shoehorned into this 4,600 yard treasure trove are ten par-3s, seven par-4s and a good-length par-5. Here you'll find all the seaside scenery a golfer could ask for, and a lot more besides. Read More...
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