Concra Wood... from the Tips

The par three 12th

Irish golf boasts many great parkland courses and, towards the end of the boom years, three in particular made a big splash: Killeen Castle (Jack Nicklaus), Lough Erne (Nick Faldo) and Concra Wood (Christy O'Connor Snr and Jnr).

And yet, Concra Wood has, to date, not received the credit it deserves.




Set on Lough Muckno, in Co. Monaghan, the setting is as beautiful a one as you could hope to find. The landscape has twists and turns and dips, mature trees in abundance and two greats of the Irish game at the design helm... they have certainly steered many of the holes as close to the lough as they possibly can, with two holes driving across it.

Approach to Concra Wood's par four 10th

Green Fees

The green fees have always been generous. When I first visited in 2007 - before the course opened - I had a lengthy chat with Karen (then Comms Manager) about green fees they should be charging. Back then I suggested about €75/€80, with a discount due to the lack of clubhouse.

Today they have a clubhouse - an impressive one at that at the top of the course - and their green fees range between €40 and €50. I call that value for money, and when you visit and play the course you'll understand why.

Views over the 3rd hole from the top of the course

Open Singles June 3rd

And if you feel like being brave, the club is holding an Open Singles event on the June 3rd Bank Holiday Monday... which is playing from the Black Tees. That's the course at its full length, which measures 6,635 metres, or 7,259 yards in 'old money'. It will be a serious challenge, but a thrilling one nonetheless.

The green fee is €40 and you get either a steak burger of chicken curry included in the price.

The club is less than an hour and 20 minutes from Dublin city centre. For photos of the course, here's a link to Concra Wood's website - it's worth checking out those aerial views to see what a beautiful Irish golfing location it is.