Limerick’s Adare Manor would be the focus of considered one of golf’s biggest spectacles subsequent September when it hosts the Ryder Cup for under the second time in Eire.
There may be little doubt the occasion on JP McManus’s parkland masterpiece marks a serious milestone in Eire’s sporting historical past and it additionally locations the Munster counties of Limerick and Clare firmly within the {golfing} highlight.
Completely positioned within the coronary heart of the Mid-West area and simply 25 minutes from Shannon Worldwide Airport, Limerick gives fast and scenic entry to a number of world-renowned {golfing} locations.
Subsequent door in Clare, are two of Eire’s top-rated hyperlinks programs, Lahinch and Trump Worldwide Doonbeg, the latter host to this yr’s Irish Open in September when Grand Slam hero Rory McIlroy will likely be defending his nationwide title.
However away from these trophy programs, the area has lengthy been a hidden gem with a number of difficult and inexpensive parkland tracks. And with a seven-club regional golf move about to be launched, it’s the best time to pack your baggage for the Emerald Isle.Limerick has six different golf programs and final month, as a part of a bunch press journey, I had the pleasure of enjoying two of those, Ballyneety GC and Limerick GC, together with the highly-rated Dromoland Citadel GC in Clare.
Written by Patrick Mooney
After a 70-minute early morning Aer Lingus flight from Heathrow, we arrived in Shannon airport in Clare and headed to Dromoland Citadel in superb sunshine – no waterproofs wanted.
Dromoland Citadel is simply 12 km over the Shannon and considered one of Eire’s main parkland programs. It hosted the ladies’s Irish Open in 2022 and 2023.
The par-72 Championship course is about on the magnificent 450-acre property of Dromoland Citadel and combines mild hills, historic timber and sudden water hazards. It additionally gives a number of risk-and-reward holes, particularly over water.
The course was utterly revamped and redesigned in 2003 by architects Ron Kirby and JB Carr, at a value of over 5 million euros, with an extra 3 million euros spent over the previous three years.
The golf membership has been in existence since 1962 with gamers strolling the pristine fairways for over 60 years navigating the tree-lined panorama that drains into the Dromoland Lough with the magnificent fortress as a backdrop. Dromoland Citadel can also be a five-star resort – considered one of Eire’s most interesting fortress motels – and may hint its possession again via historical past to Gaelic Irish households of royal heritage.
The opening gap performs uphill and, surprisingly has no bunkers, however the fairway slopes sharply to the suitable and the big hill-top inexperienced is receptive to run-up or high-lofted pictures. The par-3 seventh is a scenic downhill gem – water to the left, a big green-side bunker to the suitable and a sloping inexperienced, all with with the majestic fortress towering within the distance.
The brief par-4 ninth is Dromoland’s Belfry No 10 equal. You might be confronted with two choices – as a two-shotter down the left which leaves a pointy dog-leg second hit over a big pond. Or, take the Seve gamble – a 300-yard carry over water to a small however holding inexperienced.
Extra water comes into play as you head into the again 9 with a brief however intimidating par-4 – and look out for the Dromoland Geese crossing the highway to the lake’s edge!
The par-5 eleventh is an actual risk-and-reward resolution. Chunk off an excessive amount of carry over a marshy space will see you reloading however bravery is rewarded with a lot shorter second and third pictures to a inexperienced with much more water on the again.
The ultimate three holes – often known as Kirby’s Nook – once more all characteristic water hazards and none extra so than the majestic dwelling gap with the Citadel catching your eye with water in entrance and to the suitable.
The latest funding has seen the creation of a brand new 18th fairway that provides golfers a alternative – and- problem tee shot – bale out to the left and defend your rating or nibble off extra water and maybe par or higher is a practical goal.
From the big sycamore tree, gamers have100 yards left to a contoured inexperienced, protected by two well-placed bunkers on the left and, after all water on the suitable. A par right here is well-earned and well-remembered over a pint or two within the membership’s cosy nineteenth gap – the Fig Tree bar restaurant.
Dromoland has, as you’d anticipate, excellent apply services. The membership’s Academy, contains the most recent in Trackman expertise. And the clubhouse and professional store have each been not too long ago renovated to a wonderful customary.
Limerick GC was our subsequent cease on day two and is simply minutes from the town centre. It’s considered one of Eire’s oldest golf equipment, being based in 1891, the identical yr because the {Golfing} Union of Eire. The course and clubhouse are situated on the unique website of Roxboro Citadel and grounds within the suburb of Ballyclough.
Limerick is a mature, tree-lined par-72 course with a lot of holes designed by Alister McKenzie, architect of Lahinch and most notably Augusta Nationwide, and another holes crafted by John D Harris.
The course file is held by one Tiger Woods, who shot 64 in successful the JB McManus Professional-AM Match 26 years in the past.However for us mere mortals, this traditional parkland course gives a preventing likelihood to take pleasure in a rewarding spherical. There’s a mixture of demanding holes, strategically-placed bunkers and water hazards, however interspersed with good birdie probabilities, notably on the par-4 tenth and the even shorter par-4 fifteenth. The lengthy par-5 eighth is an impressive gap, with a stream meandering all the way in which in the direction of a severely sloping inexperienced. The uphill par-4 18th gap offers a becoming end in entrance of the not too long ago refurbished clubhouse.
Limerick gives good apply services, together with a driving vary, short-game space, placing greens. Whether or not you’re a seasoned golfer looking for a difficult spherical or an informal customer seeking to take pleasure in a very good worth for cash, Limerick ticks all of the packing containers.
Ballyneety was our last day vacation spot, and like Adare Manor, can also be gearing up for the Ryder Cup subsequent yr – they host the Junior model in the identical week.
The par-71 Championship course, co-designed by Irish Ryder Cup vice-captain Des Smyth and Irish beginner worldwide Declan Branigan, opened in 1994. It includes a scenic structure, set on 183 acres of rolling Irish countryside on the historic Croker Property.
The course has sand-based greens and tees constructed to USPGA requirements. After the completion of in depth bunker and drainage programmes final yr, the main target is now firmly on extending the size of the course to 7,000 yards with new tees being constructed on seven holes to check the easiest junior golfers on either side of the Atlantic. Renovations to the locker rooms and clubhouse services may even be accomplished in time for the beginning of 2027.
The course units out with a brisk par-4 in the direction of the village of Ballyneety earlier than dramatically altering route into the countryside. The observe then rises on the fourth and fifth holes to supply gorgeous views of Limerick metropolis, the Clare hills and the Shannon estuary.
The again 9 offers a contrasting route with water coming into play on six holes, notably the par-4 twelfth and par-3 thirteenth, earlier than the par-4 18th sweeps again as much as the spectacular clubhouse.After golf, the Vines Grill and Wine Bar/Restaurant, situated in an uncommon glass enclosed clubhouse, gives panoramic views of the house gap.
The McSweeney Golf Academy offers a full vary of companies, together with a state-of-the-art lined Trackman Vary with 15 bays and is located subsequent to the clubhouse. There are additionally 16 outside bays and two swing studios for these seeking to effective tune their swing.
Limerick metropolis is the proper base in your {golfing} adventures – It straddles the River Shannon – the longest within the British Isles – with the historic core of the town situated on King’s Island. The town is on the head of the Shannon Estuary, the place the river widens and flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Limerick is typically often known as The Treaty Metropolis, after the Treaty of Limerick which ended the Williamite Battle in Eire within the seventeenth Century. Hurling and rugby are the area’s two hottest sports activities – the hurlers not too long ago received four-in-a-row All Eire titles whereas Munster Rugby legend Paul O’Connell’s towering line-out bronze statue dominates the doorway to Shannon airport.
Limerick, which has a inhabitants of over 102,000, can also be a cultural and historic hub – from the commanding thirteenth century King John’s Citadel, to the collections of the Hunt Museum, which home considered one of Eire’s biggest personal artwork and antiquities collections.You’ll by no means go thirsty in Limerick both – pubs galore and the 2 we visited, The Locke Bar and The Previous Quarter Bar/Restaurant, each present a tasty alternative of locally-sourced meals.
No go to to the town could be full and not using a stroll to the Treaty Metropolis Brewery, situated within the coronary heart of the medieval quarter. The Brewery crafts distinctive beers that commemorate native flavours and traditions. Guests can expertise the brewing course of first-hand, take pleasure in tastings, and discover the historical past behind every pint. The artisan craft brewery emerged in 2014 from a love of craft beer intertwined with Limerick’s historic significance.
The Limerick Strand Lodge is a perfect and inexpensive base for all the surrounding golf golf equipment. It has 184 visitor rooms, centrally situated, with nice views of the mighty Shannon and inside strolling distance of Arthur’s Quay Park and The Treaty Stone monument. A lot of Limerick sights are simply walkable from the resort.
Shannon airport, in the meantime is simply 20km west of the town and has direct flights from all main UK airports.So, whether or not you might be teeing off for the primary time or chasing your lowest scorecard, Limerick’s Ryder Cup area invitations you to play, keep, discover – and probably be impressed within the footsteps of Rory and Tiger.
Helpful web sites:
Tourism IrelandDromoland GCLimerick GCBallyneety GCThe Limerick Strand hotelThe Treaty Metropolis BreweryThe Locke BarThe Previous Quarter Bar/Restaurant
