Ashford Castle traces its origins back to 1228 when the de Burgo family seized control of the O’Connor lands in Connaught. The castle’s long history includes many owners, among them the Guinness family, but the golf course was a much more recent addition. In 1973 Eddie Hackett, the respected golf professional from Portmarnock Golf Club near Dublin, designed and built the course. Hackett was unconventional for his time: instead of relying on massive earth-moving projects, he favored shaping holes around the land’s natural features, letting the terrain guide his routing and design.
When John Mulcahy acquired the County Mayo estate in 1970, he envisioned an ambitious restoration and enlargement of the castle and grounds. The nine-hole golf course formed part of that vision, intended to enhance the property’s landscape and offer guests another memorable experience during their stay. Mulcahy’s improvements, including the signature golf layout, helped define Ashford Castle as a distinctive destination.
The course forms an inviting approach to the castle. As you drive along the long tree-lined avenue, several holes and greens come into view, setting the stage for the impressive arrival at the estate.
Hole 3 | 391 yards, par 4
This hole has a bit of legend attached: Tom Watson eagled it when he stayed at Ashford Castle prior to playing Royal Birkdale in 1983. That feat required cutting the corner over a tree to reach the green in one — a daring line that might have been easier before the tree grew to its current size. Playing the hole yourself demonstrates why Watson’s shot is so admired. On my round I missed the ideal line, leaving my drive far right and blocked by the large tree that marks the dogleg. From roughly 195 yards out I hit a 5-wood, drawing it around the obstacle but coming up short of the green. A neat chip over the shallow sand trap left me in position to save par.
Hole 5 | 327 yards, par 4
Known as the “Island Hole,” Hole 5 is the course’s signature, offering sweeping views of Lough Corrib’s many islands and a picture-perfect view of Ashford Castle in the foreground. The tee shot is blind and can tempt you right; I nearly found trouble on that side but managed to finish in the rough. From there I played a controlled mid-iron aimed to the right portion of the green, taking advantage of the slope and sightlines.
Hole 8 | 270 yards, par 4
Course knowledge pays off here. The tee shot is blind and requires a more leftward aim than it first appears; miss right and your route to the green is blocked by a tree. That’s exactly what happened to me. My ball nestled in a fluffy lie in the rough, yet I elected an 8-iron and trusted to a bit of luck. The tree proved denser than expected and my approach came up short. A tidy chip left me on the green for a two-putt par.
After finishing the round, we took a short seven-minute walk to Ireland’s School of Falconry, an experience that complements a stay at Ashford. We met Laura Gallagher for a tour and a Hawk Walk with Swift, a female Harris hawk who is one of the school’s stars. Harris hawks, native to the Americas, are known for their agility and distinctive short wings and long tails, attributes that let them swoop and land with remarkable precision.
At Ashford the falconry collection also includes peregrine falcons, which are aerial hunters and typically strike prey in flight. Harris hawks, in contrast, are more apt to pursue small mammals on the ground, making them especially suited for hands-on walking experiences. After basic instruction on handling Swift, we walked across the castle grounds and along wooded paths. The sessions follow a catch-and-release routine, and we watched the hawks feed from our gloved hands and perform dramatic swoops from high perches, displaying precise control as they navigated trees and open spaces.
Ashford Castle Golf Course
Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
tel 353 94 954 6003
ashfordcastle.com