Designed by Paul McGinley — European Ryder Cup Captain 2014 — with Roger Jones, Macreddin is one of the most architecturally distinguished courses in Wicklow. Seven thousand yards of river-valley parkland in the remote Ow Valley, with the BrookLodge Hotel and its acclaimed Strawberry Tree restaurant alongside.
Open to the public; advance booking recommended. Note: mobile phone coverage is limited in the Ow Valley.
On-site boutique hotel — home of The Strawberry Tree, Ireland's first organic restaurant.
Check availability →On-site at BrookLodge — Ireland's first certified organic restaurant.
Get directions →Historic 1798 battle site with riverside walking trails — 5 min from Macreddin.
Find out more →Macreddin Golf Club carries one of the most impressive design credentials of any course in Wicklow: it was designed by Paul McGinley — the Dubliner who captained Europe to Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles in 2014 in one of the most celebrated captaincies in the competition's history. McGinley worked with Roger Jones to create a course that makes full use of the Ow River valley — a remote and strikingly beautiful setting near Aughrim in south Wicklow.
At 7,173 yards from the back tees (championship 6,599 yards), Macreddin is one of the longest courses in Wicklow. The Ow River comes into play on several holes, most dramatically on the signature 11th — a par 3 played across the river that is the most photographed hole on the course. Water is a constant presence throughout the round, adding both visual drama and genuine strategic challenge.
The adjacent BrookLodge Hotel elevates a round here into a genuine destination experience. The hotel's Strawberry Tree restaurant — one of Ireland's most celebrated organic dining venues — is the finest post-round dining available at any golf course in the county. Spa and pool facilities complete the offering. Mobile phone coverage in the valley is limited, which is either a feature or a bug depending on your perspective.
| Day | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday | From €40 | Mon–Fri |
| Weekend | From €50 | Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays |
| BrookLodge hotel guests | Preferential rates | Confirm at time of hotel booking |
Always confirm current rates directly with the course before travelling. Rates shown are indicative and subject to seasonal change.
| Tee | Par | Yards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back / Tiger tees | 72 | 7,173 | Full length from the tips |
| Championship | 72 | 6,599 | Standard visitor tees |
The Ow River runs the full length of the 2nd hole on the left side — from tee to green, water is a constant companion. McGinley positioned the fairway to create genuine risk-reward tension off the tee: hug the river for the best angle or play safely right and face a more demanding approach. A hole that immediately establishes the river as the course's defining character.
Macreddin's most celebrated hole — a par 3 played across the Ow River to a green on the far bank. The carry is fully exposed, the green beautifully framed by trees on three sides, and the reflection of the surrounding woodland in the water adds to the visual drama. The most photographed hole on the course, and the one that golfers remember longest after the round.
A long, demanding closing par 4 with the BrookLodge Hotel visible beyond the green — a fitting end to a round in one of Wicklow's most remote and beautiful valleys. After 17 holes of river-valley parkland, the sight of the hotel ahead is genuinely welcoming, and the Strawberry Tree restaurant awaits for those with an appetite equal to the walk.
Paul McGinley was born in Dublin in 1969 and turned professional in 1991. He represented Ireland and Europe throughout his playing career, most famously holing the winning putt for Europe at the 2002 Ryder Cup at The Belfry. As European Ryder Cup Captain at Gleneagles in 2014, he led Europe to a comprehensive 16.5–11.5 victory over the United States — one of the most tactically praised captaincies in Ryder Cup history.
McGinley has brought the same attention to detail that characterised his captaincy to his golf course design work. Macreddin shows his understanding of how a course should flow through its landscape — the Ow River is not just an obstacle but a central character, giving the round a sense of place that few parkland courses achieve.
Yes — Macreddin is open to all visitors. Advance booking is recommended given the remote location and the course's popularity. Book via macreddingolfclub.com or call +353 402 36999. Note that mobile coverage is limited in the Ow Valley so plan your journey in advance.
Macreddin was designed by Paul McGinley — the Dublin golfer who captained Europe to Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles in 2014 — working with Roger Jones. It is one of the relatively few courses in Ireland designed by a major tournament professional and Ryder Cup captain, giving it a genuine pedigree.
Yes — BrookLodge Hotel & Spa is adjacent to the course and offers accommodation, the acclaimed Strawberry Tree organic restaurant, a spa and pool. Hotel guests may be eligible for preferential green fee rates — confirm at the time of hotel booking. It is one of the finest golf and stay experiences in Wicklow. See our Golf + Stay page.
Macreddin Village is approximately 70km from Dublin via the N11 south and then inland through Aughrim — allow 75–90 minutes as the final approach involves narrower country roads. The remoteness is part of the appeal: Macreddin feels genuinely away from it all in a way that courses closer to the city cannot replicate.
The Strawberry Tree at BrookLodge was Ireland's first certified organic restaurant and remains one of the most celebrated dining experiences in Wicklow. The kitchen sources from local organic farms and the hotel's own grounds. Booking for dinner is highly recommended and is separate from golf reservations — contact BrookLodge directly.
River-valley parkland in the Vale of Avoca — the River Avoca in play, the Meeting of the Waters nearby.
Peter McEvoy-designed estate parkland in south Wicklow — beautifully maintained and excellent value.
Classic coastal links — a complete change of character from river valley to sea breeze, 20 minutes away.