Ireland’s Legendary Links
Ballybunion Golf Club
Ballybunion Golf Club
Ballybunion Golf Club is one of Ireland’s most celebrated and dramatic links courses, located on the windswept north coast of County Kerry. The Old Course traces its way through towering sand dunes and rolling fairways with panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean, creating a golfing experience that blends raw natural beauty with strategic challenge. Founded in 1893, Ballybunion is consistently rated among the world’s elite golf destinations and has drawn generations of visiting players who regard its routing and seaside terrain as both exhilarating and rewarding.
The club also offers the Cashen Course, a distinctive secondary layout designed to complement the classic links challenge while showcasing the unique character of the surrounding land. Whether playing the iconic Old Course or exploring the Cashen, golfers encounter holes that demand creativity, precision, and adaptation to ever-changing wind and ground conditions.
More than a test of golf, Ballybunion is a pilgrimage for lovers of the sport, where every round reveals the deep connection between the game and the untamed coastal landscape.
5 Facts Before You Visit Ballybunion
- Ballybunion Golf Club was founded in 1893 and is home to two distinct links courses: the Old Course and the Cashen Course.
- The Old Course is consistently ranked among the top golf courses in the world and is known for its dramatic dunes and panoramic sea views.
- Legendary golfer Tom Watson has frequently praised Ballybunion, describing it as a course all architects should play.
- The course demands imagination and adaptability due to prevailing winds and naturally contoured terrain.
- The location on the Atlantic coast means golfers enjoy views of rugged shoreline and distant horizons throughout the round.
“Ballybunion is the course on which many golf architects should live and play before they build golf courses. I consider it a true test of golf”