Dun Laoghaire Golf ClubAn Illustrated Centenary History 1910-2010

Dun Laoghaire (formerly Kingston) Golf Club was founded in 1910. Originally known as Kingstown Golf Club, the club was established following a meeting of 51 residents of Kingston at the Royal Marine Hotel on the 9 December 1909. The meeting was chaired by Major Bryan Cooper M.P. and the initial course layout was on 36 acres of land at Eglinton Park. The Earl of Longford K.P. would act as President until he was killed in action in WWI in the Dardanelles and was succeeded by Viscount de Vesci. The first captain was Lionel Hewson, the well-known golf correspondent.

In 1910 a further 40 acres were leased at Glenageary Road and a further nine-holes were laid out. After WWI Harry Colt renowned golf course architect was brought in to design an eighteen hole course on the existing 76 acres of land.
The club realised the property was too small to cater for new equipment and succumbed to the inevitable. In 2002, the club made a significant decision to relocate due to rising property values in South Dublin. The meeting was held in the Royal Marine Hotel where 79% voted in favour. The club sold its original 78-acre site to Cosgrave Brothers for approximately €100 million and moved to a 330-acre site at Ballyman Glen. A property swap was proposed by the Cosgrave Brothers the club agreed and moved to its current 300-acre location in Ballyman Glen, near Enniskerry, in 2007 and also received an additional €20m into its own coffers. The relocation deal was a source of contention among members, with some arguing that the sale price was too low as it represented €1.28m per acre when comparable properties were achieving €2m-€3m however planning permission hadn’t yet been obtained and would, not without its own controversy, drag out into 2008. The new 27-hole course at Ballyman Glen was designed by Marc Westenborg and Hawtree Design.

Monarch Properties had also proposed a property swap for a move to 150 acres in Cherrywood but they decided to develop the Cherrywood site.

The club now boasts a 27-hole championship course with three 9-hole courses, offering different combinations for play. The course is known for its challenging layout and stunning views of the Sugar Loaf Mountains and the Irish Sea. The club is owned by its members, with a dedicated committee overseeing its operations.

The club has hosted Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship and the Irish Women’s Amateur Open Championship but no doubt the crowning glory was as the venue for the 2016 Curtis Cup which was won by Great Britain and Ireland.