
What is the Ballybunion Golf Club?
The Ballybunion Golf Club is a golf club in County Kerry, Ireland. Founded in 1893, the club had barely opened its doors before experiencing financial problems. An investment from Colonel Bartholomew saved the club in 1906, and nine new holes were promptly laid out.
Who designed Ballybunion’s first golf course?
The Irish golfers guide of 1897 names this course designer as James McKenna, who did this work “at the instance of the Lartigue Railway Company.” It is interesting to note the connection with present day Ballybunion as he was the grandfather of the Ballybunion Golf Club Secretary-Manager until 2008, Jim McKenna.
Is there a connection between Ballybunion Golf Club and Jim McKenna?
It is interesting to note the connection with present day Ballybunion as he was the grandfather of the Ballybunion Golf Club Secretary-Manager until 2008, Jim McKenna. In recent years, one of our members, Patsy A. Costelloe, who has since passed away, undertook some research into the club’s history and course design.
What is the Ballybunion Castle?
The Castle is the emblem of the world famous Ballybunion Golf Club. Mary O’ Malley was born in the year 1836 approx. 3 miles from Ballybunion. It was while working in Kilkee, Co. Clare that Mary met John Young, a wealthy English tea planter who had recently been widowed.

When was Ballybunion built?
Ballybunion Castle, a Tower House, was built by the Geraldines in the 13th. Century. It stands on the site of an old promontory fort now known as the Castle Green which divides the beach in two. The Castle has been ravaged by Atlantic storms and Sea breezes for the past seven centuries.
Who owns the Golf Hotel in Ballybunion?
Michael Carr, owner of the Ballybunion Golf Hotel, yesterday announced that the hotel is to close with the loss of some 80 jobs.
How did Ballybunion get its name?
The ruins of Ballybunion Castle stand proudly on the cliff top overlooking the sandy beaches and bear testament to the workers who built it and to the Bunyan family who gave the village its proud name.
Which Ballybunion course is best?
THE OLD COURSETHE OLD COURSE – ONE OF A KIND “If sheer pleasure is the yardstick, then Ballybunion's Old Course gets my vote as the No.
Is the Golf Hotel in Ballybunion sold?
Ballybunion's Golf Hotel has been sold. Selling agent Gary O'Driscoll has confirmed to Radio Kerry News that unconditional contracts have been entered into, but the sale hasn't officially closed.
Is Ballybunion a nice place to live?
In short: Ballybunion is fantastic, the amenities are fantastic, the community is fantastic, and so too is business. He's clearly both very proud of, and very loyal to, his home town.
What is Ballybunion known for?
Ballybunion, the most famous seaside resort in North Kerry and is well known for its glorious beaches and panoramic cliff walks. Ballybunion, the most famous seaside resort in North Kerry is well known for its glorious beaches and panoramic cliff walks.
Who designed Ballybunion Golf Course?
Robert Trent Jones, Sr.An investment from Colonel Bartholomew saved the club in 1906, and nine new holes were promptly laid out. By 1927 the course had been expanded to 18 holes....Ballybunion Golf Club.Club informationDesigned byRobert Trent Jones, Sr.Par72Length6,318 yards (5,777 m) Longest hole is #8, 605 yards (553 m)Course rating7316 more rows
How much does it cost to play Ballybunion Golf Course?
BOOKING THE COURSE It appears from the website that play is possible for visitors on weekdays from April to October. The green fee is 100 Euros a person in April and then rises to 190 Euros a pop - you can book easily online.
How difficult is Ballybunion Golf Course?
Ballybunion is a thrilling challenge, a supreme test of golf. If you are a very good golfer and there's a gentle breeze blowing, you might score well. If there's an onshore gale blowing, you are best to forget scoring well and simply try to enjoy this exhilarating golf course.
Who owns Ring of Kerry?
The privately owned McNicholas Group has taken a 30% stake in Ring of Kerry Golf and Country Club, which is located in spectacular surroundings at Templenoe near Kenmare. The McNicholas Group is a long established and major force in the construction industry.
Where is Ballybunion Golf Club?
The Ballybunion Golf Club is a golf club in County Kerry, Ireland. Founded in 1893, the club had barely opened its doors before experiencing financial problems. An investment from Colonel Bartholomew saved the club in 1906, and nine new holes were promptly laid out. By 1927 the course had been expanded to 18 holes.
Where is the club in Sandhill?
The club is located south of town on Sandhill Road.
Who won the Irish Open in 2000?
The Old Course hosted the Irish Open on the European Tour in 2000, won by Patrik Sjöland.
Is Ballybunion a good golf course?
Still, a number of the world's best players have found their way to the famed course. One, in particular, has had a lasting impact. Tom Watson first visited Ballybunion in 1981 and has returned often. In 1995, he remodeled Ballybunion into the course that exists today. Ballybunion was ranked by Golf Digest in 2005 as the seventh best course in the world outside the United States. Ballybunion's success has led to new visitors from around the world booking tours of this and many other golfing jewel locations. However, Ballybunion houses not one but two courses; those being The Old Course and The Cashen Course.
Who founded Ballybunion Golf Club?
Its founders were Colonel Bartholomew, an ex-Indian Army Officer who had retired to live in the area; Mr B.J. Johnstone of the Bank of Ireland; Patrick McCarthy, Honorary Secretary of the original Club; and John Macauley of Listowel.
How many holes are there in Ballybunion?
As time passed, the growing reputation of the links began to attracted players from all parts of the country, and by 1926 plans had been drawn up to extend the course to a full 18 holes. Work was completed within the following 12 months, but it wasn’t until 1932 that the new links were finally recognised at national level when Ballybunion was chosen as the venue for the Irish Ladies Championship.
What is the rabbit warren in Ballybunion?
In early 1897, an article in the Irish Times, headed ‘The Golf Links of Kerry’, dismissed the recently opened Ballybunion Course with some contempt as “a rabbit warren below the village, where a golfer requires limitless patience and an inexhaustible supply of golf balls.”
Where is Ballybunion Golf Club?
Ballybunion Golf Club, Co. Kerry, Ireland, is a Private Members Golf Club founded in 1893. Home to two wonderfully unique and challenging links courses – The Old Course and The Cashen Course – visitors from around the world have been visiting the club for many decades.
Why is Ballybunion important?
Ballybunion Golf Club plays a vital role in conserving the landscape into which its courses sit, ensuring perfect harmony between golf and the environment. The extensive dune grasslands not only play an important role in the strategic aspects of the golf course set-up but also have significant wildlife value.
When did Tom Watson play golf?
Since the great Tom Watson first experienced Ballybunion Golf Club in 1981, countless golfers have enjoyed the very same experience. His being enthralled by all he saw and experienced has influenced others to do likewise.
When was Ballybunion Golf Club founded?
Ballybunion Golf Club was founded on the 18th August 1893 at a meeting in the Castle Hotel in Ballybunion. The laying out of Ballybunion’s first ever golf course was thanks to a small group of enthusiastic locals under the direction of a golf professional contracted and paid by the Lartigue Railway Company. In 1926 a second 9 holes were added ...
When did Ballybunion become a popular holiday resort?
With it’s magnificent golden-sand beaches together with the therapeutic quality of its waters, it became a popular holiday resort in the early 1800’s. In 1837 Samuel Lewis recorded his views of a visit to Ballybunion: ‘This village……. has recently become a place of resort for sea-bathing and is much frequented on account ...
What is Ballybunion known for?
The town is noted for its famed golf courses, surfing, seaweed baths, great cafés, gourmet restuarants and great places of entertainment and plenty facilities . Incidentally, the Men’s and ladies beaches are no longer segregated. Ballybunion Castle, a Tower House, was built by the Geraldines in the 13th. Century.
What is the castle in Ballybunion?
The Castle is the emblem of the world famous Ballybunion Golf Club.
Who put Ballybunion on the map?
Tom Watson put Ballybunion on the map in a manner that nobody but he could manage. From that moment on, Ballybunion received the Golf World’s attention and acclaim. The new opulent clubhouse was built for the Centenary Year 1993. In 1995, Golf Digest nominated Ballybunion as ‘The No. 1 Golf Course outside of the USA’.
Where was Mary Young's first residence?
The first residence which Mary built was in Doon Road. That residence was completed in 1870 and she lived there for 12 years. In 1883, the Mercy Order established in Mary’s residence a convent and a Secondary School. Mary Young’s contribution to the schools is memorialised in the schools logo.
Who designed the Cashen Course?
The adjoining Cashen Course, designed in the early 1980’s by Robert Trent Jones Sr, continues to grow in stature as one of the finest Golf links in Ireland. Over the years many great golfers and distinguished guests have played Ballybunion.
Who said Ballybunion is the finest seaside link?
Herbert Warren-Wind, writing in the New Yorker magazine in 1971, said: “I found Ballybunion to be nothing less than the finest seaside links I have ever seen.”
When was Dobereiner founded?
Dobereiner was doing no more than reflecting the views of the locals who somehow knew through all of their struggles for survival since the day the club was founded way back in 1893 that their Ballybunion links was an unknown treasure waiting for the outside world to come and discover it.
Is Ballybunion natural?
It is elemental, natural golf amid dunes beside the ocean where all of the battles are God-made challenges with nature. In 1969, Pat Ward-Thomas visited the course and wrote: “Ballybunion possesses excitement and challenge that can have few peers in all the world of seaside golf.”.
