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Ballybunion Golf Club, County Kerry. (1893 – 1898).

The first short lived club appeared from 1893 to 1898.

The club was reinstituted at its current location in 1906.

Report on the new club from the Limerick Chronicle Saturday 19 August 1893 – “Golf Club at Ballybunion – The opening meeting of the Ballybunion Golf Club was held on the 18th inst. At the Castle Hotel, when it was decided to request Lord Listowel to allow himself to be nominated President, while Mr Curling of Newcastle West, and Mr Creagh of Listowel were elected Vice-Presidents. Mr Moran of Ennismore and Mr D’Arcey of Ballybunion were chosen hon. secretary and hon, treasurer respectively. A vote of thanks was then passed to Mr Hewson, who very generously permits the use of the links to the club rent free. This announcement will excite much interest among the increasing numbers of the votaries of this fine game, since at Ballybunion they will find advantages that are rarely obtainable. A first-rate ground – a charming watering place, easily reached, where they will be most comfortably lodge by Mrs Kangley at the Castle, or at any of the numerous hotels in the town. Twelve greens have been laid out upon the links, a number of which may be increased to the standard eighteen, should the members so wish. The greens all lie among the sand hills, the turf all of the springiest, and the course offers every variety of golfing incident. Persons wishing to join the club are requested to communicate with the honorary secretary Mr N D’Arcey, Ballybunion.”

Report on the club in March 1896.

Limerick Chronicle Saturday 19 August 1893. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Golfing Annual 1895/6 confuses matters. It gives an institution date of 1895 with no particulars forthcoming. In the 1896/7 edition provides the additional; “the course of nine-holes, is over a rabbit warren, but is not particularly well cared for. It might be made an excellent course.” In the Golfing Annual of 1898/9 it states that the course “is one of 18-holes in a circuit of about three and a half miles.

Nothing further found of the earlier club.

Castle Hotel.

The Latigue Railway played a major part in the foundation of the first course at Ballybunion.

Early picture of the Lartigue Railway.