Mount Juliet Golf Estate
Thomastown, Co Kilkenny
Nestled in the quiet countryside of County Kilkenny lies one of the Golden Bear’s golden tickets.
Set on the grounds of a magnificent Georgian manor and — once again — steeped in history lies Mount Juliet Golf Estate.
It is hard not to get caught up in the romance of this gorgeous place that was built overlooking the River Nore by the first Earl of Carrick in the 1700s. Mount Juliet has carved its name in Irish lore (with a love story that should to be made made into a Hollywood movie at some point, but that’s for another time), and still bears the stamp — and scars — of centuries of Irish history.
In more recent times, thanks to Jack Nicklaus’ design, this has become one of the hottest tickets in town — well, island — and tee times are in demand all year round. And well they might be as this course is as much a treat on the eyes as it is to play as it has matured since opening three decades ago.
In the heart of the 180-acre estate lies the 7,200-yard course that makes excellent use of the surrounding beech and oak woodlands and rolling hills. While water is sparingly used, the strategic use of five lakes offer a different challenge on holes such as the picturesque short 3rd, the mischievous 11th, and the famously deceptive closing two holes where Adrian Meronk recently his claimed first DP World Tour title at the Irish Open in some style.
More than 80 bunkers also guard the greens, including the quirky walled 16th, which is almost entirely surrounded by sand.
The overall design embraces the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside and adds up to a tremendous experience — even when playing on a championship set-up as Golf Digest Middle East did the day after the Irish Open at the beginning of July.
To recuperate, both the Manor House and the adjacent Hunter’s Yard — converted from the estate’s stables — draw on centuries of Irish history while immersing guests in contemporary comforts, beautiful surroundings and Michelin-starred dining. Activities such as archery, falconry and riding are all on hand for the non-golfing visitors, while staff are well-versed in the estate’s history and will happily tell you of the many intriguing tales by the fireside.
Our final outing takes us to the County Wicklow hills, high above the Irish Sea. Buffeted by the wind and looking out towards Wales (on a clear day), Druids Heath offers a 360-degree panorama of the beauty of Ireland’s rugged east coast, including surrounding ranges and the magnificent peak of Sugarloaf Mountain.
Contrasting its more-famous parklands sister course — the magnificent Druids Glen, which is undergoing a major 12-month renovation and aiming for a new look and new chapter by May 2023 — Druids Heath plays much more like a links course in the hills.
The tree-lined fairways guide your way around this challenging track, while the wind and rain can play just as crucial role in your score as your tee shots on the more exposed holes.
Do not let the beauty of the various flora fool you as this is a course with bite — a trip into the rough in shorts will result in a painful meeting with the thick and jaggy gorse that is as omnipresent as the thick rough. A caddie is recommended for the more curious golfer to point out the various landmarks and historical features Druid’s Heath has to offer as well as the oncourse hazards to avoid.
The course was designed by Pat Ruddy and opened in 2003. And it plays long — the 7,415 yards often aided by downhill tee shots and wide, rolling fairways. Again very ‘linksy’.
The approaches to most greens require a deft touch as the plentiful, often deep, bunkers will welcome any wayward shots.
While each hole offers its own challenges, there are quite a few that deserve special mention. The 2nd hole is as much a mental test as it is a physical one as the downhill par five will tempt the longer hitters to take on the two lakes that front the small green.
After the short and very watery 3rd (mind the geese!), you begin to see the true length of Druids Heath and see her teeth. Gorse and as many as nine bunkers await, but an accurate, long drive could pay dividends. The signature 12th is a real up-and-down monster. If you catch the downhill slope you are laughing, but anything left, right or short will have you scrambling. A favourite of Golf Digest Middle East’s trip to Ireland must be the 14th. Set in a picturesque gorge that was once a quarry, this par-3 is a short delight that should help eradicate any nasty memories of what just went before on 12.
The closing holes take us back uphill to the highest point of the course, where golfers are once again rewarded with that breathtaking view before a wellearned recuperation in the clubhouse.
The five-star hotel offers fine dining, a relaxing terrace bar and familyfriendly activities, including a pool, kids club and 2.3km walking trail