Athy Golf Club

Athy Golf Club sits in the town of Athy in County Kildare, a region of Ireland known for its relatively flat agricultural landscape and its position along the River Barrow. The course was designed by Jeff Howes, an architect who has worked on several Irish layouts, and occupies parkland terrain typical of the Irish midlands. The setting offers a contrast to the more dramatic links courses found along Ireland's coastline, instead providing a tree-lined parkland experience with mature specimens framing many holes. The routing makes use of the natural contours available on the property, with the River Barrow influencing the character of certain holes. Water features and strategic bunkering define the challenge, requiring golfers to navigate both lateral hazards and well-placed greenside protection. The layout balances risk-reward opportunities with more straightforward holes, creating variety across the round. Athy Golf Club serves as a community facility for local golfers in County Kildare, maintaining the traditional role of Irish golf clubs as social and sporting centers. The club provides access to golf in a region that sits between Dublin to the northeast and the more famous courses of the greater Kildare area. The parkland design offers a different character from Ireland's celebrated links courses, representing the inland golfing tradition that accounts for the majority of the country's courses.