A Memorable Golf Experience in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland

Killarney is a small vibrant town in County Kerry located on the south-western part of Ireland on the shores of the Lough Leane Lake.  It is one of the most spectacular and scenic places in Ireland endowed with salient waterfalls, undulating green hills and skyline-silver lakes.

Killarney is not just charming and rich in heritage sites and marvellous attractions, it is also said to be Ireland’s cleanest and tidiest town.  Of its many historical sites, the most popular ones include Killarney National Park and Innisfallen Island.

Killarney National Park is one of Ireland’s most treasured gems. It is the first and oldest national park in the country spanning over 25,000 acres of incredible natural beauty. The park is home to wet, oak and yew woodlands, gardens, mountains, waterways, bogs and the Lakes of Killarney. It also has the largest covering of native forest in the country and it is the only place you can find red deer in Ireland. The park is also famed for its breathtaking scenery and its many bird and fish species.

Innisfallen Island is also quite spectacular. It is situated on Lough Leane about one and a half kilometres from Ross Castle and it is one of the largest out of the thirty plus islands on the lake. On the island lie the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey, which are some of the most incredible archaeological remains of the early Christian period. Boat tours to and from the island are available for most part of the year.

Other equally incredible attractions sites worth visiting include St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Aghadoe Cathedral, Ross Castle, Dunloe Castle and Muckross House.

Of the myriad of things you can do in Killarney, golfing should be on top of your list. There are many spectacular seaside links golf courses in and near Killarney that offer quality golfing.  

One of the most revered of this is Ballybunion Golf Club which is located about 65 kilometres north of Killarney.  It has two courses: Old Course and Cashen Course. Old Course is set in coastal duneland with incredible views of the ocean and it is the most visited course in Ireland. Many golf pros and even some American presidents have played on this spectacular links course which in the past has played host to the Irish Open and the Irish Senior Open.

Ballybunion (Cashen Course) is the younger of the two. It may not be as famous or popular as its older brother, but it does offer quite a challenge, and like Old Course, it is definitely worth visiting. Hotels near Ballybunion Links you can book your stay at include Cashen Course House and Cliff House Hotel.

Waterville Golf Links is definitely one of those links courses that you would also want to sample. Renowned as one of the best and most scenic links golf courses in Ireland, it is also the venue for the World Invitational Father and Son Golf Tournament, which is held each year. The natural lustre of its location and its impressive course promises visitors a memorable golf experience. If you want to book a stay near the course, the hotels closest to the golf club are Butler Arms Hotel and Waterville House & Golf Links Hotel.  

The other equally incredible seaside links golf courses include Tralee Golf Club, Dooks Golf Club, and Dingle Golf Links. 

Apart from seaside links golf courses, there are some excellent parkland courses in and near Killarney. The Beaufort Golf Club is one of the best parkland courses in the region. It is located about 12 kilometres west of Killarney and its one of the most beautiful courses in County Kerry. Beautifully laid out amidst gorse bushes and mature fir trees with incredible Macgillicuddy Reek mountain views, Beaufort promises an incredible golf experience for all types of players.

The Killarney Golf and Fishing Club rivals Beaufort in beauty and excellence. Located just a few minutes away from Killarney town, the golf club features three impressive courses: Killeen, Lackabane and Mahony’s Point. Killeen is the most noteworthy of the three courses. In the past, it has played host to golf championships including the Irish Open and the Curtis Cup.  Mahony’s Point may not match the fame and popularity of Killeen Course, but it is an excellent course, which has played host to the 2003 Ladies Irish Open and is also quite popular with visitors.

Apart from golfing, bird watching, mountain climbing, walking, cycling, canoying and kayaking are some of the many recreational activities you can get to enjoy in Killarney.

When it comes to accommodation, you have nothing to worry about. Killarney has a wide range of accommodation options for all budget types. The most popular and highly rated hotels in the town include Arbutus Hotel, Killarney Park Hotel, Muckross Park Hotel, The Dunloe, and The Europe Hotel & Resort.

Wondering where to eat? That is not a problem too. Killarney has many fine restaurants and cafes serving both Irish and international cuisine. The restaurants that seem to captivate a lot of visitors include Grosvenor Restaurant located at Castlerosse Hotel Killarney, which offers breathtaking views of the Macgillicuddy Reek mountains and the Lakes of Killarney.

Then there is Hannigan’s, Kenmare Rooms Traditional Bar, The Lake Room, Oak restuarant and the Castlelough restaurant just to name a few. Of course, there are also incredible bars like the Shire Bar, the Garden Bar, Backstage Bar and the Bar at Europe that serve delicious locally brewed beers and whiskey.  

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