The first of the two courses to open at Carton House the O Meara course designed by two time major winner Mark O Meara the course is in perfect contrast to the it's sister Montgomerie course. Designed with very much a parkland feel the O Meara meanders and sweeps it's way through the more sheltered part of the old estate and takes full advantage of the old specimen trees and the majestic River Rye.
Measuring over 7,000 yards off the championship stakes one of the most striking features of the course is the quality of it's greens. The outward nine, though relatively open, is still a tough test but it is the homeward journey that really makes an impression. Guarded by the River Rye, the stretch of holes from 13 through 15 is particularly notable. The 175-yard, 13th hole requires an accurate iron shot from an elevated tee to a green protected by water; the 14th is a long par five, requiring an approach over the river to a green lying under the watchful eye of a weir to the right; while the 15th is another par three, reminiscent in many ways of the 12th at Augusta, which requires a shot over water to a sloping green.
With it's contrasting design to that of the Montgomerie the O Meara offers a very distinct challenge. This genteel but challenging journey complements the more vigorous test on the lower ground over the water on The Montgomerie course. Together they are a potent force - very different in nature but both abounding with class which is the overriding feel of the whole estate.
Situated 15 miles west of Dublin City, just off the N4/M4 route from Dublin City, just between the towns of Dunboyne in Meath and Maynooth in Kildare.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS:
Sidewalk Restaurant, Dunboyne, Co. Meath. Tel: (353) 1 8015730. Excellent, atmospheric restaurant in Dunboyne, serving a good range of tasty, relatively inexpensive dishes.
Wong's Chinese Restaurant, Castleknock, Dublin 15. Tel: (353) 1 8223336. Quite simply the finest Chinese restaurant in Dublin, serving fantastic, authentic cuisine with superb service.
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, 21 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (353) 1 6764192. Classical dining experience based on the best of Irish produce. Winner of all major worldwide awards.
The first of the two courses to open at Carton House the O Meara course designed by two time major winner Mark O Meara the course is in perfect contrast to the it's sister Montgomerie course. Designed with very much a parkland feel the O Meara meanders and sweeps it's way through the more sheltered part of the old estate and takes full advantage of the old specimen trees and the majestic River Rye.
