Is it not an interesting quirk
of history that Ireland’s
newest piece of land is home
to Ireland’s oldest links golf
course?
It was the subject we were discussing on the balcony of
Royal Dublin’s clubhouse, overlooking the par four 18th
green… and yes, that’s the same hole I listed incorrectly
as a par five in Destination Golf’s Top 150 Irish Courses. I
have played here several times over the years so I should
know better, but there is a good excuse: not only was it
once a par five but it was also where Christy O’Connor
Senior famously made an eagle three to win the Carrolls
International in 1966. People still talk about it.
My friend and I had been playing Royal Dublin on a
beautiful sunny June day when we encountered two
members, Louis and Connor, on the 16th. Pace of play
had slowed as we caught the four ball in front and after
watching Louis drive the par four 16th (282 yards) by
bouncing his way over the crisp turf and between the
pincer-like bunkers, we agreed to play a two-hole match
over 17 and 18, for a pint. We won 17 with a par; they
won 18 with the same. Honours even… and they bought
the pints.
We were enjoying those pints at one of Ireland’s few
clubs to boast an island location. A history lesson on
Bull Island is required for you to appreciate how this golf
course came about – both in its origins and its shape.
It is a fascinating story that dates back to 1800 and the
unmistakeable name of Captain William ‘Mutiny on the
Bounty’ Bligh. He was asked by the Director General
of Inland Navigat ion to do a sounding of Dublin Bay.
At issue were the levels of sand being carried by the
tides which were obstructing large ships from entering
the port. After he had completed his work, Bligh
recommended that a wall (the North Bull Wall) should
be constructed, parallel to the South Bull Wall, as this
would prevent sand building up in the mouth of the
harbour.
When the North Bull Wall was completed in 1842, sand
started accumulating along its side until Bull Island
emerged. The island is roughly five kilometres long and
800 metres wide and it is home to no more than two
golf courses and a bird sanctuary… as well as one of
Dublin’s most popular beaches (Dollymount Strand).
Forty three years later, in 1885, the Dublin Golf Club was
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