
Old Head Golf Links is a golf course located in County Cork on the southwest coast of Ireland. It is situated on a 220-acre peninsula that extends two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, offering spectacular views and a unique golfing experience. The course was designed by renowned architect Ron Kirby and opened in 1996, featuring holes along ledges 300 feet above the surf. Old Head Golf Links is ranked among the top golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland, providing a challenging and memorable golf experience for enthusiasts worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland |
| Course Designer | Ron Kirby |
| Holes | 18 |
| Green Fee | €395 |
| Caddie Fees | €120 |
| Season | Mid-April to End of October |
| Notable Holes | 17th ("Lighthouse"), 18th, 12th |
| Nearby Attractions | The Lusitania Museum & Old Head Signal Tower, Don & Barry's Historic Stroll in Old Kinsale, Wild Atlantic Sports |
| Contact | +353 21 477 8444, [email protected] |
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What You'll Learn
- Old Head Golf Links is located in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland
- It is a world-class golf course with luxury accommodation
- The course is on a 220-acre headland that reaches two miles into the Atlantic Ocean
- It is ranked in the Great Britain & Ireland Top 100 golf courses
- The green fee is €395 and you must book a tee time in advance

Old Head Golf Links is located in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland
Old Head Golf Links is located in Kinsale, County Cork, on the south-west coast of Ireland. It is a stunning and unique golf course that occupies a headland reaching over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The course was designed by Ron Kirby, who lived on the site for two years to maximise the potential of the rocky ocean cliffs encircling the peninsula. Old Head Golf Links first opened in 1996 with nine holes along ledges 300 feet above the surf. Kirby later added another nine holes, including relocating the par-3 13th to an ocean slope. The course is ranked in the Great Britain and Ireland Top 100 and offers a challenging and memorable experience for golfers, with holes such as the dramatic 17th, "Lighthouse", and the 18th, which should be played from the high back tee for maximum drama. The setting is truly spectacular, with views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Old Head of Kinsale, providing a golfing experience unlike any other. The green fee is €395, and the course is open from mid-April to the end of October each year. Old Head Golf Links is easily accessible from Cork, which has good flight connections to the UK and beyond.
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It is a world-class golf course with luxury accommodation
Old Head Golf Links is a world-class golf course with luxury accommodation, located in County Cork on the southwest coast of Ireland. It is situated on a stunning and unique headland that stretches over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The golf course offers a spectacular setting unlike any other, with memorable holes that will leave a lasting impression.
The course was designed by Ron Kirby, a former associate of renowned golfers and course designers. Kirby lived on the site for two years to create a routing that maximised the natural features of the peninsula, including the rocky ocean cliffs that encircle it. Old Head Golf Links first opened in 1996 with nine holes, and Kirby later returned to add another nine, ensuring that the course offers a challenging and playable experience for golfers.
The golf course is known for its high-end experience, attracting an international membership. The green fee is currently €395, and visitors must book a tee time in advance. The clubhouse offers a warm welcome, with a Lusitania-themed bar serving excellent food. The course is open from mid-April to the end of October each year, with green fees starting at €225 for the first and last couple of weeks of the season.
Old Head Golf Links provides luxury members' accommodation, ensuring that golfers can extend their stay and enjoy the spectacular setting for longer. The golf course is also conveniently located near Kinsale, a well-known weekend destination for visitors from Cork, which is just over half an hour away. Kinsale offers a range of accommodation options, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals, making it an ideal base for golfers visiting the area.
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The course is on a 220-acre headland that reaches two miles into the Atlantic Ocean
The Old Head Golf Links is a stunning and unique golf course located on a 220-acre headland that stretches two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. This spectacular setting, located in Kinsale, County Cork on the southwest coast of Ireland, provides golfers with a one-of-a-kind experience. The course, which is ranked among the top 100 in Great Britain and Ireland, offers a challenging and memorable play surrounded by breathtaking views.
The headland's history adds to the allure of the course. The site is known for the loss of many vessels that sank in the vicinity, including the Lusitania in 1915 due to a German torpedo. The course design pays homage to this history, with holes named "Lighthouse" and the 10th hole approaching an ancient burial ground. The course was designed by Ron Kirby, who lived on the site for two years to maximise the utilisation of the rocky ocean cliffs encircling the peninsula.
The Old Head Golf Links is known for its high-end golf experience, attracting international members and visitors. The course is open from mid-April to the end of October each year, with green fees ranging from €225 to €395 per round. The clubhouse offers a unique vibe, with a Lusitania-themed bar serving delicious food and a warm welcome.
The course itself is very playable, with plenty of options to reach the green. The dramatic 18th hole, played from the high back tee, provides a thrilling close to the round. The setting of the course is truly unforgettable, with each hole revealing stunning views that will leave a lasting impression long after the game.
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It is ranked in the Great Britain & Ireland Top 100 golf courses
Old Head Golf Links is ranked in the Great Britain & Ireland Top 100 golf courses. Located in County Cork on the southwest coast of Ireland, the course is set on a narrow headland that stretches two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The unique setting offers a dramatic backdrop for golfers, with sheer vertical drops and towering cliffs.
The course features a mix of links and cliff-top golf, providing a challenging and memorable experience. Many of the holes are stunning, but the 12th and 13th, near the headland's slender neck, are often highlighted as offering a particularly unique experience. The 12th tee is cut into the cliffs, requiring an uphill drive to a hidden fairway, while the 13th is a short but dramatic cliff-hugging par-3.
The 17th hole, nicknamed "Lighthouse," is another notable hole. It is a long par five that demands a bold second shot to the right-hand side of the fairway. The 18th hole is also noteworthy, as it is a dramatic closing hole that is best played from the high back tee.
Old Head Golf Links is recognised as one of the most sought-after golf experiences in the world, offering a sanctuary for those seeking personalised service. The course was developed by John O'Connor and his brother Patrick and opened for play in 1997. It is currently closed for the winter months and will reopen on April 11, 2024.
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The green fee is €395 and you must book a tee time in advance
Old Head Golf Links is located in Kinsale, County Cork, on the south-west coast of Ireland. It is a spectacular golf course set on a 220-acre headland that reaches two miles out into the Atlantic Ocean. The course was designed by Ron Kirby, who lived on the site for two years to maximise the potential of the rocky ocean cliffs that encircle the peninsula. Old Head Golf Links is ranked among the top 100 golf courses in Great Britain and Ireland, offering a unique and challenging golfing experience.
The green fee at Old Head Golf Links is €395, and it is essential to book a tee time in advance. The course is open from mid-April to the end of October each year, and the green fee for the first and last couple of weeks of the season is €225 before rising to €395. Visitors can't book directly online but must fill in an enquiry form, and there are no restrictions on which day of the week you can play.
Old Head Golf Links boasts some of the most dramatic and memorable holes in golf, such as the 17th, nicknamed "Lighthouse", a long par five that requires a bold second shot to the right-hand side of the fairway. The 18th hole is also noteworthy, providing a dramatic closing challenge. However, the par-five 12th hole is considered the most outrageous, demanding strategic play from the tee.
The clubhouse at Old Head Golf Links offers a unique vibe, with a Lusitania-themed bar serving excellent food and a warm welcome. The course is currently closed for the winter months and will reopen on 23rd April 2025. Visitors can contact [email protected] for rate and availability queries for the 2025 season.
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Frequently asked questions
Old Head Golf Links is located in Kinsale, County Cork on the South West Coast of Ireland.
Old Head Golf Links is a spectacular golf course built on a 220-acre headland that reaches two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The course features holes along ledges 300 feet above the surf, with cliffs, rocks, and ocean views.
Old Head Golf Links is typically open from mid-April to the end of October each year.
The green fee at Old Head Golf Links is €395, and it is necessary to book a tee time in advance.
There are several attractions near Old Head Golf Links, including the Lusitania Museum, Old Head Signal Tower, Don & Barry's Historic Stroll in Old Kinsale, Kinsale Food Tours, and Charles Fort.










































