It had always felt like a missing piece of the jigsaw for someone who loves the game as much as I do: I’d never been on a golf trip to Ireland with all those jagged coastlines, dramatic dunes, and misty links.
When I thought of golf on the island of Ireland, my mind would go to Royal Portrush and Lahinch, to wind-whipped shots and legends of the game forged by the elements. When the invitation came, I was like a kid on Christmas Eve, but my first golf trip to Ireland would not be to any of those famed links but instead to Dublin to play three of Ireland’s finest inland courses in as many days.
Surely, they couldn’t live up to the hype, or to the images I had conjured in my imagination? I didn’t know what to expect but I knew I was in for a treat.
The K Club: a rich Ryder Cup legacy
Long before the time the wheels touched down in Dublin, the anticipation had been building.
We were off the plane and straight on to one of Ireland’s most celebrated golf destinations, a place that’s hosted the greats of the game, nestled in the heart of County Kildare, a place where golf was part of the fabric and folklore. Since 1832, the K Club, which sits on a sprawling 550-acre estate, has been associated with people who enjoy the finer things in life, and with that wonderful, warm Irish hospitality. It had, of course, been front and centre in the mind of every golf fan back in 2006 when it played host to The Ryder Cup, the first and, until 2027 at Adare Manor, the only Irish venue to host golf’s greatest showpiece.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear this wasn’t going to just be another round of golf — it would be an experience, a place to make memories. We arrived late, but the staff were exceptional. We were welcomed with broad smiles and open arms. Tee times were shifted, golf bags and luggage were ushered away, and we were made to feel like we were the only group on the property. After a quick lunch overlooking the 18th green, enjoyed while basking in the spring sunshine on the clubhouse balcony, I was ready.
The K Club had made an incredible first impression – it felt like a rare blend of grandeur and calm — elegant without being stiff. There was time for a quick warm up on the practice range, which faces the hotel. As I stood hitting balls towards the imposing hotel building, I was told that when Rory McIlroy visits, he has to aim into the trees, well left of the range, to avoid hitting the hotel windows, such is the power he wields with his driver. It wasn’t a problem for me, but it was a reminder that I was following in the footsteps of some of the world’s best golfers. It was a feeling that came back to me when I stepped on to the 1st tee.
K Club Review: signature Holes
As I teed my ball up, having just seen one of my playing partners hook it left into the trees and the other push their ball right, the nerves weren’t far from the surface. With the K Club’s Director of Golf looking on, I took a deep breath and — thankfully — striped one down the middle with a little draw. A par on the 1st settled the nerves. It may not have all gone to plan from there, mind, but what a start.
There are two courses at the K Club, The Palmer South (named after their designer, the great Arnold himself) and The Palmer North course, the one we were playing and the venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup and the 2023, 2025 and 2027 Irish Open. Make no mistake, this is a serious test of golf: water hazards, doglegs, tight driving corridors through towering trees. It’s that kind of course which tempts and punishes in equal measure. With the Irish Open on the horizon, some of the fairways and greens had been left a little longer than I might have expected but the class of the place still shone through.
Several holes at the K Club stayed with me. The par-4 4th was a favourite of Palmer’s and features a gentle dogleg left with water running along the left side, while the formidable par-5 7th, measures almost 600 yards from the tip with the green sitting on an island in the middle of the River Liffey. It’s a stunning setting. The par-5 18th is a classic finishing hole, with water left and the green set against the backdrop of the K Club’s grand architecture, you finish in full view of the clubhouse. It’s a proper stadium hole, and you can imagine the Ryder Cup crowds lining the fairway. Even without them, it felt like a big moment. The K Club reminded me of Medinah in Chicago — Ryder Cup history, flawless presentation, and an American-style feel with grand houses lining the fairways.
This is a place that knows what it is and wears it with pride.
Carton House Golf: What to Expect
After a top-tier breakfast at the K Club and the most comfortable night’s sleep in a beautiful hotel, we travelled north to Carton House, another sweeping parkland estate with a historic hotel at its heart. Full disclosure: I hadn’t heard a great deal about Carton House before this trip, but a quick Google told me it was the host venue for the 2025 Women’s Irish Open, so I expected good, but perhaps not this good.
The clubhouse had real charm: all rustic barns, interconnected bars, a pro shop that felt more like a boutique and a caddie master from Nottingham, who couldn’t have been more helpful – offering us tips, good humour and no shortage of local knowledge. He even handed me a branded ball marker as I made my way to the 1st tee and made sure we all felt right at home. His passion for and knowledge of Carton House were infectious. Carton House features two golf courses named after two of golf’s great champions: the Montgomerie and the O’Meara courses.
Carton House: O’Meara Course Review
Today we were playing the O’Meara Course and from the off it felt more open and forgiving. Where the K Club was tight and tree-lined, the O’Meara course gave you space off the tee. You could open up a bit, be more aggressive with the driver. I didn’t score well, but I loved the freedom it offered. The design was thoughtful and varied. A few holes curved around ancient stone buildings.
The routing used the landscape brilliantly. I remember coming around a corner and being stopped in my tracks by how beautiful the setting was. Strategic bunkering caught a lot of players out, not by bad luck, but by clever design. The course invited you to take risks, and more often than not, punished you for doing so – exactly how a good course should play. The par-3 16th is arguably the signature hole here, a breathtaking par-3 over the River Rye to a green surrounded by ancient woodland. It’s a hole which demands precision and nerve to hold a small green. And to cap off the round, the par-4 18th is fantastic closing hole. It sweeps downhill toward the imposing Carton House itself; it tempts you to be aggressive but is ready to punish anything wayward with water lurking near the green.
The O’Meara Course at Carton House felt like a layout you could return to regularly — one that rewards local knowledge and rewards good shot-making without punishing you unfairly. Not overly punishing, not exhausting — just a genuinely enjoyable round of golf.
Killeen Castle Golf Club: one of Ireland’s Best?
I’ll say this now: Killeen Castle blew me away. The long, winding drive through the estate builds the anticipation. You catch glimpses of the castle, of tree-lined fairways, of manicured bunkers and rolling hills. And by the time you pull up, it already feels special. We stayed in modern lodge-style accommodation on the grounds — seven spacious bedrooms, contemporary décor, and a communal lounge perfect for unwinding. It wasn’t the castle itself (that’s being refurbished), but it was first class.
The clubhouse may have had a slightly underwhelming façade — a bit plain, a bit modern — but that melted away the second we walked inside and saw the panoramic windows looking over the 1st tee. The food was excellent, the service royal. But what of the course? Just wow. I’d describe it as a parkland course with a touch of Links character — wide fairways, huge old trees, and smart bunkering. On the first hole, there’s a bunker shaped like a shamrock — a little detail that made me smile. Every hole felt perfectly crafted. I was playing with a PGA pro and a low handicapper, and they went off the whites — a real challenge. I was out of my comfort zone, but in the best possible way.
Nearly every hole at Killeen offers a view of the castle. The routing is brilliant — doglegs, elevation changes, long par 4s, reachable par 5s. But what really stayed with me was the conditioning. It looked and felt like it had been there for centuries. The bunkers were natural, the greens pure, and the fairways cut perfectly into their surroundings. I just kept thinking, “I could play this course every single day.” That’s my barometer. With some courses, once is enough — you enjoy it, but you move on. With Killeen Castle, I didn’t want the round to end.
Ireland Golf Trip: Final Thoughts
On the flight home to Liverpool, I tried to unpack it all. The K Club had the grandeur, the Ryder Cup history, the American polish. Carton House delivered fun, freedom, and warm Irish charm. But Killeen Castle — that was something else. Quite possibly the best Parkland course I’ve ever played. And the people? Incredible. Every course, every venue, we were treated like VIPs. There’s a pride in Irish golf that’s impossible to fake. They know they have something special — and they love showing it off. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. And next time, I’ll be staying for longer – I know I have only scratched the surface of what makes Ireland such a special golf destination, there is so much more to see, so many more great courses to play. But it’s a start!
*To find out more information about playing golf on the island of Ireland, please visit Ireland.com/golf
K CLUB SCORECARD
K CLUB GOLF COURSE MAP
KILLEEN CASTLE GOLF SCORECARD
Carton House golf course map
CARTON HOUSE GOLF, K CLUB, KILLEEN CASTLE GOLF: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Carton House Golf Green Fees: How Much Are They?
Green fees at Carton House vary depending on the time of year and whether you’re playing the Montgomerie or O’Meara course. Expect to pay €85–€120 for a round in peak season. Special twilight and midweek rates are often available. Always check with the club directly for the latest prices and packages.
Does Carton House Have a Driving Range?
Yes, Carton House boasts an outstanding driving range and practice facility. It’s part of the Golf Academy, which includes grass tees, target greens, short game areas, and putting greens. It’s available to members and visitors with a tee time.
What Is the Carton House Address?
Carton House Golf Club is located at: Carton Demesne, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 TD98, Ireland
Killeen Castle Golf Club Green Fees: How Much Are They?
Green fees at Killeen Castle typically range from €95–€125 during high season. Discounted rates may be offered in the shoulder months or for group bookings. For the most accurate rates, it’s best to check directly with the club or on their official website.
Directions to Killeen Castle Golf Club
Killeen Castle is just a 40-minute drive from Dublin city centre or Dublin Airport. The address is: Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
Set your GPS for Killeen Castle Golf Resort, and follow the M3 motorway towards Navan, exiting at Junction 6 (Dunshaughlin). Signage from there will guide you in.
K Club Green Fees: How Much Are They?
The K Club offers two championship golf courses: the Palmer North (Ryder Cup course) and Palmer South. Green fees typically start from:
-€125–€195 for the Palmer North
-€95–€135 for the Palmer South
Rates depend on time of year and day of the week. Stay-and-play packages are also available.
Who Owns the K Club?
The K Club is owned by Michael Smurfit Jr, who acquired full ownership in 2020. The Smurfit family has long-standing ties to the resort, which remains one of Ireland’s most prestigious golf and lifestyle destinations.
Is There a K Club Spa?
Yes. The K Spa at The K Club is a luxury, full-service spa offering treatments such as massages, facials, hydrotherapy, and wellness rituals. It’s a popular retreat for both hotel guests and day visitors, located in the heart of the resort.
Ryder Cup at K Club: When and What?
The 2006 Ryder Cup was held at the K Club’s Palmer North Course, marking the first time the event was staged in Ireland. Captained by Ian Woosnam, Team Europe triumphed over Team USA in a dominant performance. The event elevated the K Club’s global reputation.
K Club Location: How Do You Get There?
The K Club is in Straffan, Co. Kildare, just 30 minutes west of Dublin by car. The full address is: The K Club, Straffan, Co. Kildare, W23 YX53, Ireland. From Dublin, take the M4 motorway west, exit at Junction 7 (Straffan/Maynooth), and follow signs to the resort.
K Club Golf Membership: Can I Join?
Yes, the K Club offers exclusive private golf membership for individuals, families, and corporate clients. Membership includes access to both golf courses, premium practice facilities, the K Spa, and members-only events. Membership is limited and subject to an application process. Contact the club for current availability and fees.
