A championship parkland of exceptional privacy and quality — designed by Peter McEvoy and Christy O'Connor Jnr on 570 acres of mature west Wicklow countryside. USGA-spec greens, outstanding bunkering, and the elegant Rathsallagh Country Club house just off the 18th green.
Open 7 days. Handicap certificate required (max 28 men / 36 ladies). Early bird rates available.
On-site country house hotel — log fires, four-poster beds, exceptional food.
Check availability →On-site country house dining — one of west Wicklow's finest kitchens.
Get directions →Parkland · 18 holes · Blessington Lakes, 20 min north.
View course →Quiet forest and glen walk near Donard — beautiful west Wicklow scenery.
Find out more →Rathsallagh Golf Club opened in 1995 on a 570-acre private estate near Dunlavin in west Wicklow — a collaboration between two of golf's most respected names: Peter McEvoy, the English amateur champion turned architect, and Christy O'Connor Jnr, the Irishman whose 2-iron to the final green at the 1989 Ryder Cup is one of the most celebrated shots in the game's history. Between them they built a course that rewards careful thinking and respects the land.
The scale of the estate is the first thing you notice — 570 acres of mature woodland provides a level of peace and privacy that feels increasingly rare. There are no adjacent fairways, no cross-traffic between holes, no noise from roads. Just you, the course, and the west Wicklow countryside. The greens are built to USGA specification and maintained to a high standard year-round; the bunkering is thoughtful and strategic rather than punitive.
The adjacent Rathsallagh Country Club offers accommodation, dining and spa facilities, making this one of Wicklow's finest golf and stay destinations. For visitors who want the full estate experience — an overnight stay, a round of golf, dinner in the country house — Rathsallagh delivers it elegantly and at prices that compare well with more famous resort destinations.
| Rate | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early bird | From €35 | Early morning slots; check availability |
| Weekday | €35–€55 | Mon–Fri standard rates |
| Weekend | From €55 | Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays |
| Hotel guests | Preferential rates | Contact hotel for golf & stay packages |
Always confirm current rates directly with the course before travelling. Rates shown are indicative and subject to seasonal change.
| Tee | Par | Yards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 72 | ~6,900 | Full championship test |
One of the longest holes in Wicklow — a par 5 that threads through the mature estate woodland on the 570-acre grounds. Three shots are required for all but the longest hitters; patience and course management matter far more than distance. The canopy of trees above creates a cathedral-like atmosphere that few golf holes anywhere can match.
Rathsallagh's signature par 3 — a tee shot carried across water to a well-bunkered green. The carry is demanding enough to require commitment; the green is generous enough to reward a well-struck shot. Wind plays a significant role, and club selection is rarely straightforward. One of those par 3s that golfers return to again and again.
The 18th brings the round home with Rathsallagh Country Club visible as the backdrop — an elegant finishing scene for an elegant course. A demanding hole that gives nothing away cheaply, it sets up a genuinely satisfying arrival at the clubhouse. After 17 holes on 570 acres of private parkland, the sight of the old country house ahead is a welcome one.
Yes — Rathsallagh requires a handicap certificate with a maximum of 28 for men and 36 for ladies. If you are visiting from overseas you should bring your home club's handicap documentation or use a recognised digital handicap system such as World Handicap System (WHS).
Yes — Rathsallagh Country Club is an elegant country house hotel adjacent to the course, offering accommodation, dining and spa facilities. Golf and stay packages are available and represent excellent value for a full estate experience. Contact the hotel directly or see our Golf + Stay page.
The course was designed by Peter McEvoy — English amateur champion turned respected golf architect — in partnership with Christy O'Connor Jnr, one of Ireland's most celebrated golfers. O'Connor Jnr is best remembered for his legendary 2-iron to the 18th at the 1989 Ryder Cup at The Belfry that helped Europe retain the cup.
Yes — Rathsallagh is open to visitors seven days a week. Early bird tee times offer the best value, with rates from €35. Contact the club on +353 45 403316 or email golf@rathsallagh.com to confirm current availability.
Rathsallagh is approximately 50km from Dublin city, in Dunlavin in west Wicklow. Allow around 50–60 minutes via the N81. The location makes it a natural pairing with Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort on Blessington Lakes, which is nearby.
Championship parkland across three lake peninsulas — water visible from almost every hole, on-site hotel.
Affordable west Wicklow parkland — tight tree-lined fairways with a mountain backdrop, from €25.
Lakeside pay and play — relaxed, scenic and excellent value at from €20 a round.