A privately-owned course, The European Wicklow opened as recently as 1993 after Pat Ruddy discovered the land while surveying the Irish coastline, on a mission to uncover the perfect location for a golf course. In fact, Pat Ruddy has a lot to answer for in terms of golf in general - all good things, of course. He's been obsessed with course design since he was a child, and has so far worked on 36 different golf projects including Castlecomer, Ballyliffin Glashedy, Rosapenna Sandy Hills, Portsalon, Ballyliffin Old, Rosapenna Old and Donegal.
All in all playing here makes for a remarkable experience. It’s easy to wax lyrical about golf courses in Ireland but this place really set like a jewel in huge dunes, and just an hour’s scenic drive from Dublin. If you're seeking a uniquely Irish golfing experience, this one's for you.
About The European, Wicklow golf club – Brief history
- Opened in 1993
- 20 breathtaking holes designed by Pat Ruddy
- Often compared favourably to Kyle Phillips' Kingsbarns course
- Ranked within the world's top 100 courses
- Acknowledged as a modern classic
- Ranked 43rd in the Golf World UK World Top 100 Golf Courses list
- Included in the Golf Magazine USA World Top 100 Golf Courses list for 2003, 05, 07, 09, 11, 13 and 15
- Ranked 24th in the Golfers Companion worldwide poll for the Worlds 100 Greatest Golf Courses of the 20th Century
- Ranked 14th in the Golf Monthly 120 Greatest Golf Courses in Britain & Ireland
- 3 holes nominated in the book, The 500 Greatest Golf Holes In The World
The European, Wicklow golf club scorecard
Click here to view the scorecard
Featured hole – Hole 12
Hole 12 features the longest green in the entire world, an awe-inspiring and challenging 127-yards long from front to back. It's also great fun to play. You will need to harness a first-rate three-putt here rather than short three-putt, adding extra difficulty to what is by any standards a challenging course.
Known for its remarkable setting and extra Par-3s
The game comes with an extra dimension here, featuring stunning open sea views from nineteen of the twenty holes. The two extra Par-3s make it even more special, and they're almost always in play. Of the 20 holes, five run extremely close to the sea, so much so that it's common to see players hunting for lost balls on the pristine sand. And that's another thing that makes this course famous – its genuine proximity to the waves, close enough to actually hear their mighty rumble all the way to your toes, and gales that are sometimes strong enough to blow you off your feet. Unlike many links courses -you don't just know the ocean is nearby, you can actually feel it.
The European, Wicklow golf club golfing vacations
Are you on the trail of the finest Ireland golf and accommodation deals? At The Experience Ireland we pride ourselves on delivering golf holidays to enthusiasts worldwide. We have a wide range of golf deals available and all of them can be personally tailored to suit your needs. For more information or to book, talk to a team who are just as passionate as you are about the game. Contact us today.
Featured The European, Wicklow golf package:
Dublin and Royal County Down 7 Nights Programme: Our Ireland golf vacations offer the chance to experience some of the finest golf courses the country has to offer, and those located on the Eastern Seaboard have recently hosted the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup and Solheim. This package includes 6 incredible rounds of golf on world-famous courses, including Royal County Down and The European, Wicklow. Stylish hotels including the 5* Merrion Hotel and 4* O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel will host you for the duration of your stay, where you’ll enjoy a full Irish Breakfast daily, an evening meal on one night of your stay, and luxurious accommodation. An Airport meet-and-greet service and full transfers to your hotel and between the golf course ensures everything is taken care of. As a bonus, you’ll be close to Ireland’s capital city – great for fitting in a spot of sight-seeing while you’re there.