Royal Dublin Golf Club, situated on Bull Island in Dublin Bay, boasts a unique setting as the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve within a capital city. Originally founded in 1885 as Dublin Golf Club, it gained royal patronage from Queen Victoria just two years after settling on Bull Island in 1889. The course endured significant damage during World War I but was meticulously restored by renowned architect Harry Colt in 1920, shaping it into a classic “Scottish” links layout.
Christy O’Connor, a beloved figure in Irish golf, served as the club professional from 1959 until his passing in 2016, embodying the club’s spirit and dedication to the sport. Royal Dublin’s design features narrow fairways with long stretches of out-of-bounds, demanding precision off the tee. The unpredictable winds from Dublin Bay add to the challenge, particularly on the back nine, making it a formidable test for golfers of all levels.
The course’s greens are celebrated for their quality, while its deep greenside bunkers, described vividly by Bernard Darwin, add strategic complexity. Over the years, Royal Dublin has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments, including multiple Irish Opens, showcasing its status as a venue for top-level professional golf.
Recent renovations overseen by Martin Hawtree in the early 2000s aimed to enhance the course’s strategic and aesthetic qualities. In 2023, a bunker renovation project by Clayton, DeVries, and Pont returned the sand hazards to a style reminiscent of Harry Colt’s original vision, aligning with historical photographs that informed the restoration process.
