Carton House
Course
Carton House Golf Club, Maynooth, County Kildare
Founded 2003. Hotel & Golf Resort (2 Golf Courses)
Situated about 30 minutes from Dublin City, Carton House represents one of the most exciting developments in Irish golf for some time. The resort boasts two very different golf courses on the same piece of land, along with superb hotel facilities. The difficult Montgomerie Course was designed by Colin Montgomerie and is as close as you can get to an inland links layout, while the O’Meara Course was designed by Mark O’Meara and is your typical excellent parkland layout. Playing both courses here in one day is a viable option in the variety it offers. The O’Meara Course hosted the Irish Amateur Championship in 2005, while the Montgomerie Course played host to the Irish Open in 2005, 2006 and most recently in 2013.
Sightseeing
The main attraction of Ireland as a golf destination may indeed be its great golf courses but the overall experience is influenced by many other factors including great accommodation options, restaurants, pubs, people, and not least it’s stunning scenery and superb visitor attractions. Each region offers something very different and with all locations being quite close together, it’s very easy to mix the stunning countryside and coastline with more urban attractions.
We work with each of our clients to recommend what suits their trip best. You may have a full day to spend sightseeing or you may squeeze in a quick stop on the way to or from the golf course but we will make sure that you maximise your experience at all times. The below is intended as a very general guide to sightseeing in Ireland.
A few nights in Dublin is a logical inclusion in many trips. Sometimes flights dictate that you arrive and depart Dublin and it can be easily combined with time spent in other locations. Apart from the great courses in the area, it offers much in terms of sightseeing including the Guinness Storehouse, Old Jameson Distillery, Christ Church Cathedral, the National Museum of Ireland and Kilmainham Jail. A visit to Trinity College Library to view the Book of Kells is also recommended.
Just north of Dublin, the Passage Tombs at Newgrange date back to 3,200 BC and provide a fascinating insight into prehistoric Ireland, while just south of Dublin in County Wicklow, you should include a visit to beautiful Glendalough and Powerscourt House & Gardens.
Further south of Wicklow, the likes of Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford are all well worth a visit with many impressive attractions. Kilkenny is a wonderful medieval city with the impressive Kilkenny Castle dominating the town. Waterford is synonymous with Waterford Crystal and you should include a visit to the House of Waterford Crystal, while in Wexford, some recommended options include the Irish National Heritage Park and Enniscorthy Castle.