Our History
Founded in 1895, Greystones Golf Club is one of Ireland’s most prestigious private members clubs. The golf course, inspired by the great Harry Colt of Muirfield, Sunningdale, Pine Valley and Royal Portrush fame, is situated in one of Ireland’s most scenic locations: at the heart of the stunning Burnaby Estate and surrounded by the fabled Wicklow Mountains and with panoramic views of picturesque Dublin Bay.
Founded in the Victorian era, there was a strong ascendancy influence. The Right Hon. Viscount Powerscourt was the club’s first President. Lord Glenavy, once Chairman of the Old Irish Free State Senate, was also President of the club. Other famous V.I.P. visitors included Bonar Law, Prime Minister of Great Britain and world renowned writer Samuel Beckett who, according to reports, was quite an accomplished golfer. Since then, Greystones Golf Club has continued to host heads of state, international golfers, several well known leaders of industry and many other high profile individuals.
As for the Greystones’ locality, it is steeped in golfing history, with the area producing such fine players as Ryder and World Cup player, Jimmy Martin, the legendary Harry Bradshaw, and more recently Greystones’ very own Paul Dunne who, following a fine amateur career which included representing GB&I in winning the 2015 Walker Cup and his unforgettable and wonderful performance in the 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews, has become an accomplished Tour Professional in his own right, securing his first victory in the British Masters in 2017.
Greystones Golf Club has been significantly developed in recent years and now boasts a golf, clubhouse and hospitality culture that ensures all members, guests and private clients receive a first class experience. Moreover, the conditioning of the golf course is now world class, with greens reputed to be among the finest in the country.
In 1996 the Council of the Club under the Captaincy of Michael Forde R.I.P instructed Paddy Merrigan, Course Architect to redesign the front nine holes. The redesign commenced on 1st October 1996 and over the course of almost the following two years every hole on that nine with the exception of our present seventh hole was totally redesigned and rerouted. During the course of construction the Artisan Section of the Club provided security during the evenings.
The official opening of the revised layout was performed by the then Captain Des Guilfoyle and Lady Captain Via Maume on June 28 1998.
Paddy Merrigan, who originally hailed from the Woodenbridge area designed many other well known courses including Tulfarris (1989), Slieve Russell (1992), Faithlegg (1992), Woodenbridge (c. 1992-10 new holes ), Grange Castle (2002) and Castle Dargan (2006) and also redesigned courses including Waterville and the Old Head of Kinsale where he was one of five architects who worked on that course.
In addition, to further enhance the Greystones’ experience and to adapt to modern times, the club in 1998 embarked on upgrading the course, thus ensuring it remained one of the finest inland courses in the world. Renowned course designer Ron Kirby was responsible for the upgrade. As one of the world’s most respected course designers and with a career that spanned five decades, Ron worked with Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones and Gary Player in designing some of the world’s great courses, with an impressive portfolio of projects including Sun City and Kiawah Island. Aware of the traditions of Greystones Golf Club and the inspiration of Harry Colt, the upgrade ensured the integrity and classic character of the course remained true to Harry Colt’s philosophy, providing golfers with the opportunity to have a most memorable round of golf on one of the world’s most historic golf courses.
