European Club
Course
European Club, Brittas Bay, County Wicklow
Founded 1987. Links Course
One of the few world-class links courses south of Dublin, the European Club was designed by Pat Ruddy, who has had a hand in the design of many great Irish links courses. The European Club is a modern links and offers a tough test of golf, for which the designer makes no apologies. If you play well, you can expect a reasonable return but be a little off your game and you will return a score not exactly in line with your handicap. Along with the likes of Portmarnock, the Island and County Louth, the European Club belongs in the list of must-play links courses in the Dublin area. The layout features tumbling dunes and sweeping sea views and uniquely, features 20 holes, including two extra par-threes. The bunkers with their walls lined with railway sleepers are quite remarkable and give beautiful definition to the links and fair warning to players regarding hazard locations. Tiger Woods holds the links record at 67. Rory McIlroy won the Irish Amateur title here. Padraig Harrington has played here as boy and man and prepared for his British Open wins by playing in and winning the Irish PGA at The European Club in the week before both!
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.