Connemara Isles Golf Club

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Connemara Isles Golf Club

“An epic 9-hole adventure that shows off the joys of Irish golf. As relaxing as it is entertaining as it is beautiful. Opened in 1995.”

I was in Galway city and a friend nagged me to head west, towards Lettermore. ‘If you haven’t played Connemara Isles you haven’t lived’. Who could resist that? We drove along the coast drinking in the charms of the Wild Atlantic Way, and crossed a causeway, navigating single track laneways and sheep. This is Ireland’s beauty at its finest and the golf course waiting at the end is no different. We paid our wholly insignificant green fees in a thatched (club) house and started our par 70 adventure. Front and back nines play from different tee boxes so play all 18.

The 1st hole introduces the course’s neatly pinched wild edges and carved stone markers. It screams ‘rural’ and it is all the more enchanting for it, but on the 2nd the mountain views, sea and beauty engulf you. The small green is squeezed between the sea and a rocky knoll, and it was a pleasure to put one in the water.

The course was designed by Tom Craddock and Pat Ruddy, ensuring an unexpected frisson of intrigue. Holes 3 to 5 sit on an island: the par-3 3rd requires a nerves-of-steel tee shot across the sea; the short par-5 5th crosses more water on the second shot (or your drive!) and both promise a potential wet end. The 6th and 9th – both par-3s – are no less intimidating and just as wet. 

“An unexpected treat where you get so close to the water – and so often – that you can taste the sea salt days later.”

How to get there?
Located on Annaghavane Island, you need to pay attention to the signposts as you get closer. It’s an hour from Galway along the scenic, coastal route (R336) to Costelloe, and then the R374. The longer route, via the main N59 joins the R336 at Maam Cross. It’s quite the adventure.

Tee Times?
Contact +353 91 572498 for more info or to book a tee time.

Round costs?
€20 mid week, and €25 at weekends. For enquiries, contact +353 91 572498

Article written by Kevin Markham.

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