About the course
World-class golf
On the north-west coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Ballybunion has two wonderfully challenging and unique world-class links courses – the Old Course and the Trent Jones Cashen Course. Whichever you choose, every hole, every hazard and every shot is defined by the endless presence of nature.
Ballybunion is an exciting challenge, the ultimate test of golf. If you are a very good golfer and a gentle breeze blows, you can achieve a good result. If the wind is blowing offshore, you’d better forget about a good score and simply try to enjoy this exciting golf course. Bill Clinton played here in 1998 and seemed to take full advantage of his “mulligan” allotment.
The course was originally laid out in 1893 as a 12-hole course and the 1897 Irish Golfer’s Guide lists James McKenna as the designer. Ballybunion Golf Club was struggling financially at this time and closed in 1898. The course was re-established in 1906 as a nine-hole course designed by the eminent Irish golf journalist Lionel Hewson; in 1926 the old course was extended to 18 holes. The Old Ballybunion course remained relatively anonymous until 1937, when it hosted the Irish Championship.
Photo gallery
Video
| World ranking | 17 |
| Architect | James Mckenna |
| Year of foundation | 1906 |
| Par Course | 72 |
| Number of holes | 36 |
