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Cill Dara golf club Kildare

Cill Dara golf course Kildare

Cill Dara Golf Course

Cill Dara Club Crest

Cill Dara Golf Club was founded in 1920 measuring 5,852 m Par 71 with a standard scratch of 70, it is a beautiful 9-hole golf course located on the edge of the Curragh approx. one mile from Kildare town. It is a flat heathland course with no water hazards. The only danger is from trees and furze bushes, which come into play on most holes.
The club has a fine Clubhouse where the visitor is assured of a warm welcome and can enjoy a drink or good food after their round of golf. Cill Dara Golf Club is one of the few 9-hole courses that, has a fulltime professional and pro. Shop.
Societies are welcome and group rates are available.

Green Fees Midweek 18-Holes: €20
Green Fees Midweek 9-Holes: €15
Green Fees Weekends & B.H. 18-Holes: €25
Green Fees Weekends & B.H. 9-Holes: €15
Green Fees with a Member 18-Holes: €15
Green Fees with a Member 9-Holes: €10
Green Fees for Opens variable: €12
Practice Green: Yes
Club Hire: No
Buggy Hire: €25/30
Yes
Soft Spikes: Yes
Full Membership Available: Yes
Full Beginners Membership Fee: €850
Full U-35 Membership Fee: €610
Full Student Membership Fee: €210
Full Junior U-18 Membership Fee: €105
Full Junior U-12 Membership Fee: €78
Entrance Fee: None
Course Type Parkland
No Holes 9
Members 542
Designer Nature
Founded 1920
Address

Little Curragh,
Kildare Town,
Co. Kildare

Telephone 045-521433
Email cilldaragolfclub@gmail.com
Website Cill Dara golf club website
Secretary/Manager: Anita Adams
Captain: Gerry Ryan
Lady Captain: Claire Dawson 
President: Séan dePaor
Junior Captain: Molly Daly
Vice-Captains': George Washignton & Sandra Mather
Hon. Secretary: Mark Dowling
Club Pro: Felix Murphy
Hon. Treasurer: Paula Kelly
Comp. Secretary: Gerry Scully & Esther Loakman
Cill Dara Golf Course Layout Course Layout

Location Map

GPS Coord*
Lat:53.171722
Long:-6.898432
*Please check information before travelling

General Facts & Information

Course opening hours: Daylight hours Clubhouse opening hours: 9.30am to 11.30pm
Mobile phones: Not on course
Dress Code: Neat and casual, no denim
Catering: Full catering, facilities Days to Avoid: Sundays & Wednesdays
Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other Days Pre-booking for open Tournaments:14 Days in advance

Cill Dara Golf Club Fixtures 2024 provisional*

Open & Major Fixtures 2025 (to be Confirmed)        
Event Start Finish Type Duration
Captain's Drive-In Monday 17 March
  Closed 1
President's Prize Friday 30 May Sunday 1 June Closed 3
President's Prize Saturday 31 May
  Closed 1
President's Prize Sunday 1 June   Closed 1
Lady Vice-Captain's Prize Wednesday 25 June   Closed 1
Lady Captain's Prize Day 1
Wednesday 9 July   Closed 1
Lady Captain's Prize Saturday 12 July   Closed 1
Captain's Prize (Q) Friday 25 July Sunday 27 July Closed 3
Captain's Prize (Q) Saturday 26 July   Closed 1
Captain's Prize (Q) Sunday 27 July   Closed 1
Captain's Prize to the Ladies Wednesday 30 July   Closed 1
Captain's Prize Saturday 2 August
  Closed 1
Vice-Captain's Prize Friday 29 August Sunday 31 August Closed 3
Vice-Captain's Prize Saturday 30 August

Closed 1
Vice-Captain's Prize Sunday 31 August
  Closed 1
Lady Captain's Prize to the Men Friday 12 September Sunday 14 September Closed 3
Lady Captain's Prize to the Men Saturday 13 September   Closed 1
Lady Captain's Prize to the Men Sunday 14 September   Closed 1
Club Fundraising Classic Friday 28 March
Sunday 30 March
Open 3
Club Fundraising Classic Saturday 29 March
  Open 1
Club Fundraising Classic Sunday 30 March
  Open 1
Start of Open Week Monday 2 June Sunday 8 June Open 7
L. & G. Fourball Stableford Monday 2 June
  Open 1
Seniors Singles Stableford Tuesday 3 June
  Open 1
Ladies Singles Stableford Wednesday 4 June
  Open 1
3-Person Scramble Thursday 5 June
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Friday 6 June
  Open 1
3-Person Waltz Saturday 7 June
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Sunday 8 June
  Open 1
Kildare Senior Alliance Wednesday 11 June   Open 1
Alzheimers Society Classic
Thursday 13 June Friday 14 June Open 2
Alzheimers Society Classic Friday 14 June   Open
1
Fourball 9/10 H’cap Friday 20 June Sunday 22 June Open 3
Fourball 9/10 H’cap Saturday 21 June  
Open 1
Fourball 9/10 H’cap Sunday 22 June   Open 1
Cill Dara RFC Classic Friday 27 June
Sunday 29 June
Open 3
Cill Dara RFC Classic Saturday 28 June   Open 1
Cill Dara RFC Classic Sunday 29 June   Open 1
Ladies 2-Person Team Event Monday 30 June   Open 1
Rathangan Welfare Classic
Friday 4 July Sunday 6 July Open 3
Rathangan Welfare Classic Saturday 5 July   Open 1
Rathangan Welfare Classic Sunday 6 July   Open 1
L. & G. Singles Stableford Monday 4 August   Open 1
Singles Stableford Saturday 9 August   Open 1
Ladies “Play in Pink” Fourball
Friday 22 August   Open 1
Club Fundraiser Saturday 23 August Sunday 24 August Open 2
Club Fundraiser Sunday 24 August   Open 1
Start of Open Week Monday 25 August Sunday 31 August
Open 7
L. & G. Singles Stableford Monday 25 August   Open 1
Seniors Singles Stableford Tuesday 26 August   Open 1
Ladies 2-Person Team Event Wednesday 27 August
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Thursday 28 August
Friday 29 August Open 2
Singles Stableford Friday 29 August
  Open 1
4-Person Team Event any combination Saturday 30 August
Sunday 31 August
Open 2
4-Person Team Event any combination Sunday 31 August
  Open 1
Singles Stableford Saturday 6 September Sunday 7 September
Open 2
Singles Stableford Sunday 7 September   Open 1
Lions Club Classic Friday 26 September Sunday 28 September Open 3
Lions Club Classic Saturday 27 September   Open 1
Lions Club Classic Sunday 28 September   Open 1

*Please check information before travelling

Card of the Course

KeyData
Red Par 71 SSS 71 4,940 m
Green Par 71 SSS 69 5,573 m
Blue Par 71 SSS 70 5,852 m

Card

Hole No. Blue Green Par Index Red Par Index
1 298
291 4 17 280
4 17
2 126
110 3 15 108 3 15
3 336 320 4 9 274
4 9
4 376
360 4 3 361
4 3
5 453
435 5 11 394
5 11
6 383
372 4 1 307 4 1
7 343 333 4 5 275 4 5
8 175
170 3 13 145 3 13
9 370
360 4 7 371 4
7
Out 2,860
2,751 35   2,515 35  
10 300 291 4 18 280
4 18
11 141 130 3 14 108 3 14
12 318 280 4 16 234 4 16
13 484
470 5 12 361
5 12
14 363
335 4 4
394
4
4
15 353
336 4 6 307 4 6
16 326
310 4 8 275
4 8
17 320 300 4 10 145
4
10
18 387
370 4 2
321
4 2
In 2,992
2,822 36   2,425 36  
Total 5,852
5,573 71   4,940
71  
SSS 70 69     71    

Notable rounds

Men's Course Record: 64 Ger Hall (0)

Ladies Course Record:

Members Achievements

Cill Dara Golf Club won the ‘Kildare Mixed Shield’ ..... the tournament was played Millicent Golf Club in May 2023. The team on the day was Herbie Wilkins with Ann Doyle, Jim Hanafin with Stephanie O'Sullivan, Frederick Archbold with Catherine Doyle, John Conlon with Ann Ryan and Gerry King with Marguerite Rowan.

The Ladies of Cill Dara Golf Club qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the All-Ireland series of the Minor Cup at Slieve Russell Golf Club on Wednesday 7th September 2022.
They were drawn against the Ladies from Castle Golf Club and won their match by 3½-matches to 1½ -match.
First on the tee was Lori Solan who went up the 19th before relinquishing the point against Jennifer Wilson, she was followed by Maiella Howard who won her match by 2 and 1 against Kathryn Wilson, Esther Loakman halved her match with Marie O’Brien, in the penultimate match Maria Scully had a 1-hole win against Mary Whooley and the bottom match of Tracey Gallagher against Sarah Mahon went 4 and 3 to the Kildare Club.
They met the Ladies from Rockmount Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final the following day and lost out by 3-matches to 2-matches.
Lori Solan led them out again but lost her match by 3 and 2 against Patricia McDonnell, next on the tee was Maiella Howard who had a comfortable 5 and 3 win against Moyra Evans, she was followed by Ester Loakman who lost her match against Karen Gowdy by 4 and 3, in the penultimate match Maria Scully won her match against Alwyn Higham by the minimum and in the bottom and deciding match Tracey Gallagher lost out by the very minimum against Sue McDonagh.  

The Ladies of Cill Dara Golf Club qualified for the All-Ireland Quarter-Final of the Challenge Cup at Slieve Russell Golf Club on Friday 9th September 2022 and lost their match against Greystones Golf Club by 3½-matches to 1½-matches.
First on the tee was Deirdre Garrett who had a comfortable 5 and 4 match against Celine Joyce, She was followed by Stephanie O’Sullivan who lost her match against Orla Rush by 5 and 5, next on the tee was Mary Conlan who went down by 7 and 6 against Regina Connaughton, in the penultimate Annette French halved her match against Wendy Lee and in the bottom Mairead Gray lost her match by 4 and 2 against Grace Dodd.                       

Cill Dara Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Pierce Purcell Shield in 2019 when they beat Castlecomer Golf Club in the Provincial Semi-Final by 3½-matches to 1½-matches and met Newlands Golf Club by 3-matches to 2-matches which was clinched on the 22th on 22th July at Greenore Golf Club.  

They made their way to Westport Golf Club to participate in the All-Ireland deciders.
They were drawn against Connacht Champions Castlebar Golf Club on 20th September and lost out by 3½-matches to 1½-matches to the Mayo club.
In the top match Mark Dowling with Paul Moran lost their match by 4 and 3 against Ray and Declan Prendergast, they were followed by Desmond Scahill with Anthony McCormack against Sean Haugh with Padraig Rice was recorded as a halve when called-in, next on the tee was Michael Malone with Christy Roche lost their match against David Molloy with Val Jennings by 5 and 3, in the penultimate match Colin O’Leary with Declan Loakman had a very comfortable 8 and 7 win against John Ouigley with Paul Fitzgerald and in the bottom match Nigel Flanagan with Eddie Cross lost out to Colin Dawson with Pat Waldron by 3 and 1.

Cill Dara Golf Club win the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield on Saturdat 17th September 2016 at Carton House Golf Club having won the Leinster Final of the Jimmy Bruen Shield at Howth Golf Club on Sunday 30th July 2016, when they beat Greenore Golf Club by 3½ matches to 1½ matches in the Semi-Final and accounted for Elm Park Golf Club by a similar score in the Leinster Final.

The made the short journey to Carton House to represent Leinster for the first time in the Cup & Shields and were drawn against Munster Champions Muskery Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final and again had a  3½ matches to 1½ matches over the Cork club.

They were led out by Ray Mackey with Christopher Harhen who halved their match against Andrew Gray with Tony Gardiner, they were followed by James Dunne with Ciaran Ryan who had a 4 and 3 win over Sean Geary with Gary Lucas, next on the tee were Tom Friary with Pat Garry who lost to Paul Herlihy with Fionn Hickey by 2 and 1 the penultimate match of David Fox with Declan Plunkett went 3 and 2 to Cill Darr against Fergal Murphy with Michael O’Brien in the bottom match Patrick Hopkins with Christy Roche clinched their place in the All-Ireland decider with a 5 and 3 win over Michael O’Callaghan with Jack Taylor.

They met Connacht Champions Athenry Golf Club in the All-Ireland Final, Athenry had accounted for Ulster Champions Fortwilliam Golf Club by 3-matches to 2-matches in their Semi-Final. They were led out again by Ray Mackey with Christopher Harhen who lost their match against Ethan Regan with Oisin O’Connell by 2 and 1, next up were James Dunne with Ciaran Ryan who recorded a 2-hole loss to David Flaherty with David Mooney 2, they were followed by David Kelly with Desmond Scahill who put the first points on the board with a 3 and 2 win over Sean O’Connell with Paul Molloy in the penultimate match David Fox with Declan Plunkett tied things up when they recorded a 2 and 1 win over beat Ian Kelly with Mark Moran, in the bottom match with the green pennant depending on the outcome Patrick Hopkins wit Christy Roche against Ciaran Coughlan with Seamus Burke went up the 19th before clinching Cill Dara’s First Green Pennant with a 3-matches to 2-matches victory in its long history founded in 1920. Well done lads.

Cill Dara Golf Club won the FBD Barton Cup in 2004, when the team was, Rory Cleary, Mick Murphy, Dessie Scahill, Niall Kennedy, Sean Dowling, Pat Doyle, Kit Harhen, Pat Hopkins, Dara Conlan, Tommie Kinane, Christy Roche, Paul Judge, John Cunneen, Martin Whiteley, they were managed by Joe Moran.

They won the Brennan Cup in 2003, when the team was, Joe Moran, Paul Ennis, John Cunneen, Christy Roche, Paul Magee, Pat Hopkins, James Dunne, Tommie Kinane, Rory Cleary, Joe Waters, David Gil,  they were managed by Ger Heffernan and Martin Whiteley.

They won the Cullen Trophy in 2003, when the team was, Dermot Corcoran, Pat Hopkins, Joe Moran, Christy Roche, Tommie Kinane, Ruth Conlan, Lily O'Connor, Kathleen King, Alice Moran, Mary Keegan and Phil Murphy.

Prior to 2001:

They were County Champions in the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy in 1996, when the team was, P. Dowling, S. Coughlan, J. Kennedy, J. Clohessy, J. Glenny, M. Fahy, K. Prendergast, R. Dolan, D. Bradley, F. Hyland and D. Sommers.

They won the Central Towns Trophy in 1995.

They won the Michael Moore Cup in 1994, when the team was, J. Kennelly, J. Kilbaine, D. O'Donnell, B. Gleeson, J. White, they were managed by P. Donnelly.

The Boys' of Cill Dara Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Fred Daly Trophy in 1995.

The Ladies of Cill Dara Golf Club won the ILGU Midland District League in 1992 and 1993.

Veteran Reg Dolan, 77 years young, won the Irish Independent Golfer of the Month for September, 2000. He was presented with a beautiful limited edition of a painting by Robert Ballagh and four rounds of golf at Druid's Glen. I, for one, would like to see lots more works of Art as prizes on the prize table. Reg plays his golf three times a week at his club, when he commutes from Dublin. He takes two buses across the city, gets the Arrow to Kildare town and walks the mile and a half to the club.

The day after his 20th birthday, Ger Hall smashed the course record when shooting a 64, beating the previous best by 3 shots.

History of Cill Dara

Instituted 1920 affiliated 1922

Cill Dara attempted to get permission from the War Department to use the Little Curragh for their golf course in 1914, but they said that the application would have to await "the Cessation of the Hostilities

The early records of the club are not available however, a rule book in the GUI archives, dated 1920, gives Mr. A. Anthony as the first Captain.

Club History

The Club is situated on the edge of the Curragh Plain, perhaps the oldest and most extensive tract of semi-natural grassland in Europe.  An area of international significance with a welth of history and archaelogical features and also home of the thoroughbred racehorse.  The Curragh plain was declared a national monument in 1996.

Thus, the golf course is uniquely located, with greens of superb texture and great charachter matched only by the delicate fabric of the fairways.  A “lush sward in summer” and a “windy tundra in winter”.

The golf club was founded in 1920 and became affiliated to the GUI the following year.  In 1922 the club purchased an army hut for seventy pounds as their new pavilion.  By 1933 further renovations to the clubhouse had taken place and by the club had celebrated its silver jubilee, Cill Dara had become very popular with leading amature and professional golfers.

JB Carr, an honorary member, played many times and won the unique Golden Ball competition.

In 1986 the present clubhouse was constructed.  The project was completed on schedule, funded entirely by Club members.

Roll of Honour

Member Year Hon. Position
Mrs. D. Coe 1989 Ladies Captain
Tommy Byrne 1989 Men's Captain
C. J. Bergin 1989 President
Mrs. A. Moran 1990 Ladies Captain
A. Walsh 1990 Men's Captain
C. J. Bergin 1990 President
Mrs. E. Campion 1991 Ladies Captain
A. Walsh 1991 Men's Captain
C. J. Bergin 1991 President
Mrs. O. Coughlan 1992 Ladies Captain
P. Prendergast 1992 Men's Captain
C. J. Bergin 1992 President
Ms. I. Brennan 1993 Ladies Captain
T. Conlon 1993 Men's Captain
M. T. O'Donnell 1993 President
Ms. A. Somer 1994 Ladies Captain
J. Kelly 1994 Men's Captain
M. T. O'Donnell 1994 President
Mrs. M. Shine 1995 Ladies Captain
E. Farrell 1995 Men's Captain
M. T. O'Donnell 1995 President
Mrs. M. Fullam 1996 Ladies Captain
S. Mulqueeney 1996 Men's Captain
M. T. O'Donnell 1996 President
J. Moran 1997 Ladies Captain
Mrs. M. Bracken 1997 Ladies Captain
M. T. O'Donnell 1997 President
Mrs. C. O'Dwyer 1998 Ladies Captain
H. Garrett 1998 Men's Captain
M. T. O'Donnell 1998 President
A. Moran 1999 Ladies Captain
Dan Doody 1999 Men's Captain
Peter Donnelly 1999 President
Ester Donnelly 2000 Ladies Captain
Tony Monaghan 2000 Men's Captain
M. McWey 2000 President
Betty Fitzpatrick 2001 Ladies Captain
Joe Watters 2001 Men's Captain
M. McWey 2001 President
Marie Flanagan 2002 Ladies Captain
Gerry McCormack 2002 Men's Captain
M. McWey 2002 President
A. Stevenson 2003 Ladies Captain
J. Rooney 2003 Men's Captain
M. McWey 2003 President
Mary Cummins 2004 Ladies Captain
Ollie Coughlin 2004 Ladies President
Ger Connelly 2004 Men's Captain
Michael McWey 2004 President
Kathleen Garrett 2005 Ladies Captain
Dermot Corcoran 2005 Men's Captain
Tony Monahan 2005 President
Catherine O'Donnell 2006 Ladies Captain
Paddy Flanagan 2006 Men's Captain
Tony Monahan 2006 President
Eileen McCabe 2007 Ladies Captain
Paddy Hartnett 2007 Men's Captain
Joe Moran 2007 President
Catherine Chapman 2008 Ladies Captain
Jim Gorman 2008 Men's Captain
Joe Moran 2008 President
Ann Doyle 2009 Ladies Captain
Art Shirran 2009 Men's Captain
Hugh Garrett 2009 President
Stephanie Conway 2010 Ladies Captain
Liam Brennan  2010 Men's Captain
Hugh Garrett 2010 President
Lesley Gorman 2011 Ladies Captain
Ollie Meade 2011 Men's Captain
Stephen Mulqueeney 2011 President
Ita Roche 2012 Ladies Captain
James P. Kelly 2012 Men's Captain
Stephen Mulqueeney 2012 President
Patricia Ennis 2013 Ladies Captain
Martin Morris 2013 Men's Captain
Joseph Watters
2013 President
Mary Dawson 2014 Ladies Captain
Paul Moran 2014 Men's Captain
Joseph Watters 2014 President
Ann Ryan 2015 Ladies Captain
Paul Ennis 2015 Men's Captain
Anne Stevenson 2015 President
Esther Loakman 2016 Ladies Captain
Sean De Paor 2016 Men's Captain
Anne Stevenson 2016 President
Dolores O'Shea 2017 Ladies Captain
Aidan McKeown 2017 Men's Captain
Paddy Flanagan 2017 President
Edwina Hanley 2018 Ladies Captain
John Conlon 2018 Men's Captain
Paddy Flanagan 2018 President
Majella Howard  2019 Ladies Captain
Nicky Brennan 2019 Men's Captain
Aidan McKeown
2019 President
Ruth Conlan 2020 Ladies Captain
Des Scahill 2020 Men's Captain
Aidan McKeown 2020 President
Maria Scully 2021 Ladies Captain
Herbie Wilkins 2021 Men's Captain
Kathleen Garrett 2021 President
Jim Hanafin 2021 Junior Captain
Maria Scully 2022 Ladies Captain
Gerry King 2022 Men's Captain
Kathleen Garrett
2022 President
Neil Conway 2022 Junior Captain
Marguerite Rowan
2023 Ladies Captain
Niall O’Donnell 2023 Men's Captain
Séan dePaor 2023 President
Cian Ryan 2023 Junior Captain
Claire Dawson  2024 Ladies Captain
Gerry Ryan 2024 Men's Captain
Séan dePaor 2024 President
Molly Daly 2024 Junior Captain
  2025 Ladies Captain
  2025 Men's Captain
  2025 President
  2025 Junior Captain

2025
Lowest Ladies H'cap

2025
Lowest Men's H'cap

Holes in One at Cill Dara

Member Date Hole No. Club Used Distance
Martin Watts        
Pat Mahon 1 July 1989 2nd 7-Iron 126 m
E. Cullagh 2 May 1999 8th   175 m
Martin Whiteley 15 June 2003 2nd   126 m
James Dunne 2 August 2003 8th   193 m
Martin Whiteley 17 September 2003 11th   141 m
W. C. Kelly 3 April 2004 2nd   142 m
Patrick Kelly 14 August 2005 8th   200 m