Old Head Golf Links

The Headland Beyond Kinsale

The golf course at Old Head Golf Links began taking shape in 1993, four years after John and Patrick O'Connor acquired the 220-acre headland. It opened for play in 1997, following work by a design and construction team that brought together Ron Kirby, Eddie Hackett, Dr. Joe Carr, Paddy Merrigan, Liam Higgins, and Haulie O'Shea.

The arrival carries its own history. Golfers enter through the ruins of the medieval de Courcey fortifications, while the present lighthouse, built in 1853, stands near the southern tip. Remains of earlier lighthouses from 1667 and 1814 can still be seen near the 6th and 7th tees.

The par-72 routing contains five par fives and five par threes. Nine holes run along the cliff tops, and ocean views remain present across the full round. Caves extend beneath parts of the promontory, with the Atlantic roughly 300 feet below at the highest edges.

The par-five 12th asks how much coastline to challenge, while the 17th, "Lighthouse", rewards a line to the right before its punchbowl green. Daily setup responds to the prevailing wind, so familiar holes can require a different plan from one round to the next.