7 Golfing Locations in Killarney in Kerry

Killarney has four excellent 18-hole golf courses as well as well as three challenging 9-hole courses. Three of the 18-hole courses are in the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club and the other is in Beaufort about six miles from the town.

Golfers who like a challenge tend to like Lackabane which is one of the Golf Club’s three courses. It is a Par 72 of 7020 yards and has some difficult hazards in the form of bunkers, streams and greens with awkward slopes. The Ryder Cup Challenge has been played there.

O’Mahonys Point is probably the easiest of the three courses at the club but is, nevertheless, challenging enough. It has a good number of water hazards and bunkers and undulating greens. It is Par 72 and 6800 yards (6218 meters) long. It is renowned for its fabulous view at the 18th hole.

The Killeen course is the most important and is the course on which the big tournaments are played. It is the longest of the three courses in the club and also the most challenging with difficult hazards, long holes and fast greens. This is where the world’s top golfers like to play and The Irish Open has been held there on a number of occasions. Set in between the mountains with excellent views of the lakes the tournament makes for excellent television viewing.

Beaufort is a village to the west of the town and the beautiful Beaufort Golf resort is nearby. It has been developed recently and lies in a sylvan setting at the base of the MacGillycuddy Reeks between the lakes. It is a nice course which is not too challenging and can be enjoyed by professionals and amateurs alike.

The three 9-hole courses are also of very high standard and more suitable for beginners or for those who do not feel up to the rigours of an 18-hole round. Dunloe course is beside the Dunloe Castle Hotel with The Gap of Dunloe in the background. The Castlerosse course is part of The Castlerosse Hotel Leisure Complex with the lakes in the background. The Ross course is considered to be one of the best 9-hole courses in the country and is located near Killarney Race Course on the way to Ross Castle.

Golfers will notice that within an hour’s drive from the town there are located even more world class courses. Ballybunion which has two world class links courses has been played by many of the rich and famous and is a favourite of one of the world’s greatest golfers, Tom Watson.

Another well-known links course, Waterville, lies about one hour drive south, while Dooks, Kenmare, Tralee and Ceann Sibeal are the other main 18-hole courses in the area.

Golfers visiting Killarney should book their accommodation well in advance at Killarney Hotels or Killarney B&B especially during peak times.