Set in the Vale of Avoca — one of Ireland's most storied river valleys, immortalised by Thomas Moore — Woodenbridge offers tree-lined parkland golf with the River Avoca as a constant companion. One of south Wicklow's finest settings for a round.
Online tee times via BRS Golf, bookable up to 21 days in advance. Groups of 8+ should contact the pro shop directly.
Historic 4-star hotel adjacent to the course — Ireland's oldest hotel.
Check availability →Traditional pub in the Vale of Avoca — great food, Avoca River views.
Get directions →Ireland's oldest working mine and Thomas Moore's famous spot — 5 min away.
Find out more →Woodenbridge Golf Club occupies one of the most romantic stretches of the Avoca valley, a narrow wooded gorge where the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers meet — the "Meeting of the Waters" celebrated in Thomas Moore's poetry. The course threads through mature woodland and along the riverbank, making for a round that is as beautiful as it is demanding.
At 6,441 yards from the championship tees and par 71, Woodenbridge rewards accuracy rather than length. The fairways are generous in places but the River Avoca is never far away — it comes into play on several holes, particularly on the front nine, where the sound of rushing water follows every shot. Miss a fairway in the wrong direction and the trees close in quickly.
The clubhouse and the adjacent Woodenbridge Hotel (established 1608 — one of Ireland's oldest coaching inns) form a natural post-round destination. The hotel's Goldmines Bistro overlooks the valley and takes its name from the historic copper and gold mines that once made Avoca famous. It is a proper 19th hole — warm, unhurried, and very much part of what makes a visit to Woodenbridge memorable.
| Day | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday | From €55 | Mon–Fri |
| Weekend | From €65 | Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays |
| Groups (8+) | Contact pro shop | Dedicated group rates available |
Always confirm current rates directly with the course before travelling. Rates shown are indicative and subject to change by season.
| Tee | Par | Yards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 71 | 6,441 | Full course measure |
| Medal | 71 | 6,341 | Standard club tees |
| Front 9 | — | 3,296 | — |
| Back 9 | — | 3,145 | — |
The River Avoca runs alongside the 3rd from tee to green — the constant sound of water over stones is both beautiful and distracting. Miss right and you're wet; miss left and the trees demand a punch out. A hole that plays on the mind long after the round is over.
One of the most dramatic openers to a back nine in Wicklow. The 10th drops downhill through a corridor of mature trees — a rare three-shot par 5 that rewards a patient layup far more than an ambitious second. The green sits in a natural bowl at the valley floor.
The closing hole runs back alongside the river with the Woodenbridge Hotel visible beyond the green. It is a fitting end to a round in one of Ireland's finest valleys — your final shot played with the sound of the Avoca and the promise of a warm bar in the old coaching inn ahead.
The "Meeting of the Waters" — where the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers join to form the Avoca — lies within walking distance of the first tee. The Irish poet Thomas Moore immortalised the spot in 1807: "There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet / As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet." Playing golf here carries a weight of place that few courses in Ireland can match.
The nearby village of Avoca is home to Avoca Handweavers, Ireland's oldest surviving business (est. 1723) and a popular stop on any visit to south Wicklow.
Tee times can be booked online via BRS Golf through the club's website at woodenbridge.ie. Online booking is available up to 21 days in advance. Groups of 8 or more should contact the pro shop directly on +353 402 35202 for dedicated group rates.
Yes — Woodenbridge operates a handicap policy. The maximum accepted handicap is 28 for men and 36 for ladies. If you don't have an official handicap, you are still welcome but should contact the club in advance to confirm your eligibility.
Woodenbridge is approximately 70km from Dublin city, taking around 60–70 minutes via the N11/M11 south, exiting towards Arklow and following signs for the Vale of Avoca. It is one of the easier courses in Wicklow to reach by car from the capital.
Yes — the Woodenbridge Hotel is literally adjacent to the course. Established in 1608, it is one of Ireland's oldest coaching inns and offers hotel rooms, the Goldmines Bistro restaurant, and a genuine old-Ireland atmosphere. Golf and stay packages can be arranged through the hotel. See our Golf + Stay page for options across Wicklow.
Yes — on several holes, particularly on the front nine. The 3rd hole is the most notable example, where the river runs alongside the fairway for its full length. Water is also a factor on the closing hole. The course is not a penal layout, but errant shots towards the river are generally unplayable. It is worth asking the pro shop or starter which holes carry the most risk before you go off.
The Meeting of the Waters — where the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers join to form the Avoca — is within walking distance of the clubhouse. The Irish poet Thomas Moore wrote his famous poem here in 1807. The valley the course occupies is among the most celebrated landscapes in Wicklow, making a round at Woodenbridge as much a cultural experience as a sporting one.
Classic links golf on the south Wicklow coast — undulating fairways, gorse and sea breezes, just 15 minutes away.
Mature estate parkland on the Coollattin Estate in south Wicklow — peaceful, well-maintained and excellent value.
Paul McGinley-designed parkland in the remote Ow Valley — 7,173 yards with the river in play throughout.