Athenry Golf Club

Athenry Golf Club sits in the townland of Oranmore in County Galway, a few miles east of Galway city in the west of Ireland. The course was designed by Eddie Hackett, one of Ireland's most prolific golf architects, working alongside Eddie Connaughton. Hackett's career spanned several decades in the mid-to-late twentieth century, during which he designed or redesigned more than a hundred courses across Ireland, often working with modest budgets on challenging terrain. His approach typically emphasized natural contours and strategic variety rather than extensive earthmoving. The layout at Athenry reflects the rolling parkland character common to this part of Galway. The land features gentle elevation changes and mature tree growth, with fairways routed through a mix of open and wooded sections. Hackett's design philosophy here would have focused on making use of the existing topography to create interest and variety across the eighteen holes, incorporating natural hazards and shaping greens to suit the ground. Athenry serves primarily as a members' club for the local community and surrounding areas. The course provides a straightforward test of golf without the dramatic coastal features found along Ireland's western seaboard, but it offers a pleasant inland alternative in a region better known for links golf. The club operates in the traditional Irish manner, with a welcoming atmosphere and a focus on accessible play for members and visitors alike.