Powerscourt
Kevin Markham visits the beautiful estate in County Wicklow, 20 miles south of Dublin city
The golf East course: par 72, 6,484 yards West course: par 72, 6,442 yards
The first big challenge here is picking which one of the two 18-hole courses (East and West) to play first.
The West wastes no time in steering you onto the cavorting hillside that is home to this David Mclay Kidd design. It gives every hole so much shape. The par-3 2nd is a downhill beauty with water to the right, and you drive over that water to reach the fairway on the short par-4 3rd. A low and wide hollow promises attractive drives on the 4th and 7th holes, as well as delicious green settings on the 6th and 10th... taking you sweetly onto the back nine.
Now you go even higher with Powerscourt’s fabled views on full display. The downhill, curving par-5 16th shows it all off with Powerscourt House and the Great Sugar Loaf mountain behind the green, while the signature par-3 17th is even steeper than the 2nd. Play the East, too, and enjoy 36 of the best greens anywhere.
Accommodation
This luxury five-star hotel is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. It opened in 2007, and the 198-bedroom resort features striking Palladian-style architecture. Many of the rooms look out across the 1,000-acre estate towards the Great Sugar Loaf. Comfort combines with excellent food and guests can choose between the Sika restaurant, which offers the best of Irish contemporary cooking, the Sugar Loaf Lounge or Mcgill’s Pub downstairs, where the relaxed air comes from the traditional feel of dark woods and the warmth of Irish hospitality.
You’ll also feel the warmth in the 20-metre indoor heated swimming pool. There’s a spa here, too, or you can try one of the activities, such as falconry. It may just be the closest you get to a birdie all day.
Powerscourt Hotel Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow, A98 DR12
T: +353 1 274 8888
E: info@powerscourthotel.com
W: powerscourthotel.com
Best deal
The ‘Stay And Play Your Way’ package includes one-night bed and breakfast for two people in a Classic Deluxe King, with dinner in the Sika restaurant and one round of golf at Powerscourt Golf Club. Prices start at €632.