Clontarf golf club Dublin

Members Achievements

Clontarf Golf Club reached the All-Ireland Quarterfinal of the Pierce Purcell Shield at Gorth Golf Club on Saturday 31st August 2024 when they lost out to Co. Cavan Golf Club by 3 ½-matches to ½ -match. They were led out by Gerry Power with Martin Power who lost their match by 5 and 4 against Barry McDermott with Darren Greene, next on the tee was Richard Kelly with J. P. Auguste who lost out to Noel Johnston with Patrick O’Reilly by 2 and 1, the penultimate match of Brian Monney with Kevin Baxter against Mattie Reilly with Damien Johnston was halved and the bottom match of Eamonn Ryan with Jason O'Brien against Stephen Smith with Brendan McClarey went 3 and 2 to the Caven team.

The Ladies of Clontarf Golf Club were Runners-Up in the Regional Final of the Leinster North Women’s Intermediate Cup on Sunday 13th August 2023 when they went down to Black Bush Golf Club by 3½-matches to 1½-match.

Clontarf Golf Club qualified for Quarter-Finals of the Pierce Purcell Shield at Knightsbrook Golf Club on Thursday 15th September 2022 when they were drawn against Castlebar Golf Club and lost their match by 4-matches to 1-match.
They were led out by Eamonn Ryan with Noel Hickey who lost their match by 6 and 5 against Tommy Lawless with Colin Dawson, they were followed by Noel Hickey with Christopher Stafford against Paddy Burke with Sean Haugh and lost out by 3 and 2, next on the tee was John Delaney with Sean Malone who lost out by 4 and 3 against Billy Evans with Ray Prendergast, the penultimate match of Niall Glackin with David Corcoran against John Gilligan with Johan Collins and bottom match of J. P. Auguste with David Brennan against Tom Moylett with Declan Prendergast were both halved when called-in.                   

Clontarf Golf Club qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield at Slieve Russell Golf Club on Thursday 8th September 2022.
They were drawn against Ballinrobe Golf Club and won their match by 3-matches to 2-matches.
First on the tee was Conor Joseph O’Brien with Patrick Dunne who lost their match by 3 and 2 against Niall Staunton with Ray Darcy, they were followed by Matt O’Donnell with Sean Kellett who had a similar result against Sean Quirk with Aled Roberts, next on the tee was Dara O’Brien with Michael Kellett who won their match by 2 and 1 against Michael McManamon with Alan Jennings, in the penultimate match Philip Duffy with Ronan Considine had a very convincing 5 and 4 win against Daniel Merrigan with Tony O’Toole, in the bottom and deciding match Derek D’Arcy with John Stone secured their place in the All-Ireland Semi-Final when they beat Christopher Mellett with James Connolly by 3 and 2.
They met East Cork Golf Club the following day in the All-Ireland Semi-Final but lost out to the Cork Club by 4-matches to 1-match.
This time they were led out by Conor Joseph Dunne with Matt O’Donnell but they lost their match against Eric Cunningham with Daniel Coffey by 4 and 3, next on the tee was Philip Duffy with Rowan Considine who lost out by 5 and 4 against Sean Harrigan with Stephen O’Brien, they were followed by Michael Kellett with Dara O’Brien against Scott Covle Garde with Shane Connor who halved their match when called-in, the penultimate match of Paul Kealy with David Hennessy against Christopher Cocking with Hugh Mulcahy had a similar result and the bottom match of Derek D’Arcy with John Stone went 6 and 4 against Jim O’Keeffe with Conor Murphy.          

Clontarf Golf Club won the North Leinster Final of the Pierce Purcell Shield when they beat Skerries Golf Club at St. Margaret’s Golf & Country Club on Saturday 20th August 2022.

The Ladies of Clontarf Golf Club qualified for the All-Ireland Junior Foursomes Final Series at Shandon Park Golf Club on Thursday the 9th September 2021 where they met the Ladies from Ballyliffin Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter Finals and won by 3-matches to 0-matches.
They played the Ladies of Dun Laoghaire Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final the following day and were led out by Orla Fetherston with Jennifer White who lost their match against Lillian O’Brien with Liz Murphy by 2 and 1, they were followed by Marianne Considine with Hannah O’Neill who went down to Fiona Quinn with Marie Edwards by 7 and 6 and in the bottom match of Fionnuala Forde with Niamh Brown had a convincing 5 and 3 win against Niamh McCarthy with Liz Hogan.  
Dun Laoghaire went down to Kinsale Golf Club by 2-matches to 1-match in the All-Ireland Final the following day.

The Ladies of Clontarf Golf Club qualified for the All-Ireland Fourball Final Series on Saturday 4th September 2021 where they met the Ladies from Ballycastle Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter Finals and went down by 3½-matches to 1½-matches against the Co. Antrim Club.

They were led out by Fionnuala Forde with Rachael Murphy who won their match by 2 and 1 against Brenda McNeill with Doreen Reid, they were followed by Anne-Marie Dufficy with Niamh Brown who lost their match by 3 and 2 against Joan Kennedy with Briege Loughrey, next on the tee was Mary Sheridan with Paula Carton who lost their match against Susan Crawford with Mary Duffin by 3 and 2, in the penultimate match Marianne Considine with Frances lost out to Catherine Black with Rita McCormack by 4 and 3 the bottom match of Hannah O’Neill with Rena Walsh against Phoebe Traill with Bernadette Hegarty was halved when called-in.

Clontarf Golf Club won the All-Ireland Jimmy Bruen Shield for the second time at Castlebar Golf Club on 18th September 2010, when they beat Ulster Champions Tandragee Golf Club by 3½ matched to 1½ in the decider.

Clontarf Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Jimmy Bruen Shield at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club on Saturday 31st July 2010, when they beat Gowran Park Golf Club by 3 matches to 2 matches, having beaten Killeen Golf Club in the morning semi-final. They made there way to Castlebar Golf Club to compete in the National deciders where they were drawn against Munster Champions Carrick-on-Suir on Friday 17th September, where they beat the Tipperary men by 3½ matches to 1½ match.
First on the tee was Sean and Conor Stone who beat Daniels with Brian Conway by 4 and 2, they were followed by Ray Maguire with Adam Burke who had a 2 and 1 win over Paul Cooney with William O'Brien, next up was Frank Kellett with Bobby Doyle who lost their match by 6 and 4 to John Ryan with Johnny Quinn. The penultimate match of Paul O'Brien with Tony Duffy saw Clontarf through to the All-Ireland Final with a 2-hole win over Noel Drohan with Kevin Barry and the bottom match of Paul McLoughlin with Paul Kealy was halved against Michael Curran with David Tuohy. They met Ulster Champions Tandragee Golf Club in the All-Ireland Final the following morning when they were lead again by Sean and Conor Stone against Gordon Haire with Johnny Quinn in the top match which went all the way to the 20th-hole before the point was secured by Sean and Conor, they were followed by Dave Cameron with Mark O'Flynn who lost their match against Stefan Greenberg with Mark Bannerman by 3 and 2, next up was Ray Maguire with Adam Burke who won their match against Ryan Harpur with Warren Jardine. The penultimate match of Paul O'Brien with Tony Duffy was halved against Ross Dutton with Stefan McNeill in the bottom match of Paul McLoughlin with Paul Kealy they won their match against Emmit Nixon with Jeff Forde by 3 and 2.

Clontarf Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Mixed Foursomes in 2010 and made the long journey to Castlerock Golf Club to participate in the National Finals.

They met the Munster Champions in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on 2nd September.

First on the tee was Paul McLoughlin with Ann Gardner who lost out to Leo Hassett with Niamh Sheehan by 3 and 2. They were followed by Turlough Considine with Maura Walsh who halved their match with Eamonn Hurley with Roni Hawe. Next up was Liam O’Donohoe with Carol O’Flynn who also halved their match with Brian Donovan with Marion O’Leary. The penultimate match of Conor Murphy with Michelle Hand against Killian Hurley with Elaine Burke went the way of the team from Skibbereen by 3 and 2. The bottom match of Bobby Doyle with Elizabeth Toomey against Raymond Hayes with Marie Mackey also went South and with it the Clontarf hopes of reaching the All-Ireland Final the following which was eventually won by Oughterard Golf Club.

Clontarf Golf Club won their first All-Ireland Cups & Shields green pennant in its long history at Monkstown Golf Club when the Jimmy Bruen Shield on Saturday 20th September 2008.

They won the Leinster Final at Delgany Golf Club on Sunday 3rd August 2008, then made their way to Monkstown where they met Ulster Champions Co. Cavan Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on Friday 19th September 2008.

They were lead by Mark Brennan with Niall Lyons who had a 3 and one win over Connor O’Reilly with Sean O’Donnell. They were followed by Connor Harrington with Tim O’Connell who had a convincing 4 and 3 win over John Crotty with Philip McMahon. Next up was Michael Kellett with Noel O’Flynn who went all the way to the 20th-hole before recording the vital 3rd point and their passage to the All-Ireland Final against Padraig McEntee with Patrick Flynn. David Collins with Philip Duffy halved their match against Ed O’Hanlon with Ruairi Dunne, so to did Stephen Kealy with Tony Stanley against Tim Fitzpatrick with Ed Kellett. Their 4 matches to 1 match put them into the All-Ireland Final against the Home Club Monkstown the following afternoon.

Mark Brennan with Niall Lyons once again lead the team from the Malahide Road and put the first point on the board with a 2-hole win over Ken Tracy with Donal McCarthy. They were followed by the new pairing of Michael Fahy with Sean Stone who recorded a 3 and 1 win over Nick Hayes with Carl Toal. Next up was Conor Harrington with Tim O’Connor who halved their match against Denis Daly with John Barry. The penultimate match of Michael Kellett with Neal O’Flynn saw them record an emphatic 6 and 5 win over John Tobin with Niall Kennedy and the vital point to bring the All-Ireland green pennant back to Donnycarney for the first time in its long history. The bottom match of Stephen Kealy with Tony Stanley was halved against David O’Leary with Mark Hickey.

Clontarf Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Mixed Foursomes on 7th August 2004, when Elizabeth Toomey sank the winning putt on the first plat-off hole at Foxrock Golf Club against The K Club.

Clontarf retained the Metropolitan Cup when they beat Hermitage at Hermitage Golf Club by 11.5 to 6.5 on August 25th 2002. The team was B. Fennelly, B. Foy, D. Cameron, J. Harrington, D. Heary, J. Synnott, T. Wall, P. Hennessy and C. Looby.

Clontarf Golf Club were Runners-Up in the Leinster Finals of the Pierce Purcell Shield at Glen-of-The-Downs Golf Club in 2002. They lost out to Castlewarden, when the team was Ray Foley, Frank Moran, Michael Fahy, Tom Owens, Conal Regan, Joe Sheriden, Dave Dalton, Mark Johnston, Fred Kelly, David Pierce, Paddy Coy, John Dillon, David Corcoran, Michael Murphy, Frank Byrne and Enda Morris. They were managed by Sean O'Dea.

Clontarf were Leinster Champions in the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy in 2002, when the team was, H. Lambe, T. Duffy, P. Hennessy, J. Joyce, N. Gilroy, J. McClean, T. Crawford, T. Brennan, J. Kellett, T. Wall, F. Kellett, L. Watson, J. Maher, M. Alford, B. Higgins, G. Walsh and F. Byrne. They were County Champions in 2004.

Clontarf won the Metropolitan Cup when they beat Greystones Golf Club in August 2001. They had a convincing win 8 matches to 1 match. The team was B. Foy, P. Connolly, M. Carroll, T. Crawford, D. Heron, S. Kavanagh, E. O'Dulainn, J. Synnott and T. McCarthy, they were managed by T. Duffy.

The Girls of Clontarf Golf Club won the Fingal Cup in 2003, when the team was, Dervla Gaine, Carol O'Flynn, Lisabeth McCoy, they were managed by Margaret McLoughlin.

Eileen Coggins and Ann Harrington won the Countess of Granard's Challenge Cup in 2002.

Prior to 2001:

Clontarf Golf Club won the All-Ireland Mixed Foursomes in 1973.

Clontarf Golf Club won the Leinster Final and were All-Ireland Finalists in the Irish Junior Cup in 1995, when the team was, Conor Murphy, Stephen Walsh, Dermot O'Raw, Tim Collins, Greg Kelly, Michael Kellett, Turlough Considine and Dave Hennessy.

Clontarf Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Junior Cup in 1988, when the team was, Richard Murphy, Liam O'Donohoe, Tony Wall, Stephen Walsh and Greg Kelly.

Clontarf Golf Club won the Leinster Final and were All-Ireland Finalists in the Irish Junior Cup in 1969, when the team was, Kevin Hayes, Paddy Hennessy, Noel Gilroy, Michael Alford and John Mooney.

They won the Leinster Final of the Pierce Purcell Shield in 1972.

They won the Leinster Final of the Irish Mixed Foursomes in 1973.

Clontarf were County Champions in the J. B. Carr Diamond Trophy in 2000.

Clontarf won the Uden Cup in 1997, when the team was, B. Curran, R. Foley, D. McHugh, G. Sullivan, G. Walsh, C. Seery, T. Brennan, F. Byrne, B. Dolan, V. Ryan, D. Allen, L. Preston, J. O'Reilly, H. O'Neill, M. Cahill, D. Dalton, T. Linnane, T. Cook, T. Redmond, S. Doody, Mick Melligan, they were managed by T. Hempenstall and M. Geoghegan.

Clontarf Golf Club won the Best Cup in 1983, when the team was, David Dalton, Owen Donohoe, Leo Jackson, Sean Nolan, John Behan, Eugene O'Doherty, Frank Crawley, Tony Heron, Jim McMullan and Greg Harkin.

They won the Metropolitan Trophy in 1994.

Clontarf Golf Club hold the record of wins in the FBD Barton Cup, having first won it in 1921, when the team was, T. Ryan, C. Jamieson, J. G. Aston, P. C. Sythes, J. S. Kerr, T. Carson, S. H. Dunseith, P. C. Gore and H. F. Fradley.

They next won it in 1926, when the team was, W. Cooper, T. A. Hanly, J. G. Aston, V. Lyons, J. S. Kerr, T. Ryan, H. F. Fradley, T. Carson, M. Ashbee and C. Jamieson.

They won it again in 1932, when the team was, T. Pierce, R. White, D. Lynch, M. Kennedy, D. Finn, M. Knightly, P. Gaffney, J. Pierce, R. Greene, M. Ashbee, P. Lynch P. T. Ryan, W. Crozier and E. H. Verdon.

They won it in 1938, when the team was, P. B. Heffron, R. Rice, M. Fitzgerald, M. Martin, G. O'Neill, A. Byrne, E. H. Verdon, P. T. Ryan, P. J. Cregan and J. G. Barnewell.

They followed that win in 1942, when the team was P. B. Heffron, K. I. Holland, S. McMahon, M. J. Minogue, G. E. Clancy, D. J. Fitzgerald, S. I. Tierney, R. Rice, F. J. Quinn, T. T. Prestage, M. S. McEvoy, Jos. O'Reilly and B. J. Cauldwell.

They won it again in 1945, when the team was, S. Kennedy, H. Murphy, V. Herlihy, N. O'Boyle, F. G. Moran, H. Delaney, R. Rice, D. Fitzgerald, R. Grogan, V. Clarke, C. Garvey, T. Prestage, A. Byrne, F. Quinn and K. Holland.

They won it again in 1949, when the team was, C. Garvey, A. Byrne, J. Moran, C. Byrne, H. Murphy, D. Fitzgerald, F. Moran, V. Clarke, J. Belton and V. Herlihy.

They next won it in 1952.

They last won it in 1968, when the team was, M. Dalton, G. Devey, E. Grumley, J. O'Neill, M. O'Shea, D. Condon, J. Clancy, F. Kellett, T. Buggy, A. Lally, H. O'Donnell, J. Lawlor, A. Smyth, J. Curtin, J. Dillon, J. McClean, S. O'Sullivan and D. McCarthy.

The Boys' of Clontarf Golf Club won the Smurfit Trophy in 1982, when the team was, Ray Maguire, Brian Mooney, Richard Murray, Colm Dempsey, John Murray, Stephen Walsh and John Murphy.

They won the Irish Junior Foursomes in 1993.

They won the Squire Ennis Trophy in 1992.

The Ladies of Clontarf Golf Club were District Champions in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland Ladies Fourball in 2000.

They won the ILGU Eastern District (4thTeam) in 1990, when the team was, Phyllis Preston, Maura Walsh, Christine Conroy, Paddy O'Cassaide, Eileen McLoughlin, Enda Kellett, Carmel Shaw, Eileen Crowley, Miriam Dunphy and Fionnuala Murphy, they were captained by Betty McCarthy.

The 3rd team won it in 1980, when the team was, R. Freaney, A. Howett, T. O'Brien, K. Stapleton, N. Tully, they were captained by M. Spillane.

The Girls' of Clontarf Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Smurfit Juvenile Girls Golf in 1992, when the team was, Marie Therese Custace, Pamela Murphy, Clare Louise Fitzpatrick and they were captained by Anita Langstone.

Barry Heary who plays off a handicap of seven, won Chiquita Long Drive Challenge at Lucan Golf Club in September, 2000. He drove the ball 301 yd‘s down the fairway at the first. The prize was Top Flite merchandise and a cheque for £500 to his chosen charity.

Members who played representative golf for Country or Province;

Paul Congdon represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1981 to 1982 playing 8-times won 7-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 14-points;

P. Connolly represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 2005 playing 2-times won 0-matches and lost 2-matches accumulating 0-points;

R. Murray represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 1986 playing 8-times won 5-matches and lost 3-matches accumulating 10-points;

L. O’Donoghue represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 1983 playing 4-times won 3-matches halved one and lost 0-matches accumulating 7-points;

Anita Langstone played for the Irish Girls in the Home Internationals at Mosely Golf Club in 1992 and at Helensburgh Golf Club in 1993;

History of Clontarf

Instituted 1912 affiliated 1912

A very ecumenical gathering were the driving force behind Clontarf’s Golf Club foundation. At a meeting held in the Clontarf Town Hall, in January, 1912,. the Rev. J. L. Morrow, together with the Rev. J. Hickey P.P., Rev. P.J. Ryan C.C., and Rev. J. O’Connell, with eleven others were the founder members of this famous club.

The Rev. Morrow had been Hon. Secretary of the GUI since 1901, and was elected the first President of the club. Mr. J. McNie, was the first Captain, and Mr. J. Moore the first Hon. Secretary.
Land was leased from Mr. Picton at Mount Temple, which was opened by the Lord Lieutenant Lord Aberdeen on the 25th May 1912. In 1914 The Royal Dublin Golf Club was dispossessed by the British Army and Clontarf made its members, honorary members.

According to Irish Life, 5th April, 1918 the course became under threat from would-be plot-holder's, who targeted Clontarf and its 45 acres. The club moved to Porters Field in 1922 and extended to 12 holes. Fifty new members were taken in, then in 1927 the club acquired more land, and an additional six-holes were added, which became the basis of the present eighteen.

What the Club tells us:

Clontarf Golf Club is one of the oldest established golf clubs to be found around Dublin. Founded in 1912, on the lands of nearby Mount Temple, thanks mainly to the contribution and influence of Dr. John Love Morrow.

Clontarf Golf Club is one of the oldest established golf clubs to be found around Dublin. Founded in 1912, on the lands of nearby Mount Temple, thanks mainly to the contribution and influence of Dr. John Love Morrow.

The Early Years

Morrow, who was born in County Antrim in 1860, was a Presbyterian Minister who moved to the Clontarf area in 1890. As a young man he enjoyed fishing and shooting, but was soon to develop a passionate interest in golf. He became a player of the highest standard, reaching the status of a plus handicapper. He was later to become a member of Royal Dublin, Portmarnock, Royal Portrush, Lahinch and Knock.

Morrow’s commitment to the game continued to grow and in 1898 he became the Irish golf correspondent of Golf Illustrated. By the year 1900 he had become involved in the administration of the game, and six years later he was appointed Hon. Secretary of the Golfing Union of Ireland. It became generally accepted, in those early years, that he had done more than anyone else to popularise the game of golf in Ireland. His talents also led him into course design and he was the architect behind the Rossmore course in Monaghan.

His dream to set up Clontarf Golf Club became a reality in 1912 when he successfully negotiated with the owner, Pickton Bradshaw, for leases of land at Mount Temple. He called and chaired a General Meeting in January 1912 to form the Club, and it was agreed that the entrance fee for Clontarf residents would be two guineas and three guineas for those living outside the area.

At the time of its foundation the total membership numbered 280 of which 70 were Lady Associates and 20 were Five-Day Members. Clontarf Golf Club was to become the first Irish Club to have Five-Day Members and, at the time, no golf was played on Sundays.

On May 28th, 1928 Walter Hagen played an exhibition match over the new 18-hole course. Hagan partnered Club professional Jack Quinn against Willie Holley and Willie Nolan who won on the 15th.

There is some great video footage available on the Britsh Pathe website - click here to view. The photo opposite shows Walter in action that day.

The Course

The original entrance to the course and clubhouse was on the Howth Road, just 200 yards from the now defunct Clontarf railway station. The Club affiliated to the Golfing Union of Ireland on May 13, 1912, and the course was officially opened by The Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on May 25, 1912.

Due to problems over the leasing of the land, the Club was left with no option but to move and in August 1921, after much negotiation, secured the lease from Dublin Corporation on the land attached to Donnycarney House. The then well known course architect, Harry Colt, who was associated with many other courses in Ireland including the re-designing of both Royal Portrush and Royal Dublin, was commissioned to lay out a twelve hole course, comprising outer and inner loops of six holes. The Club’s new home was officially opened in June 6, 1923 by the Governor General, Tim Healy, who was presented with an inscribed putter which is today on display in the club lounge.

The course was extended to eighteen holes and the new six holes were opened for play on June 4, 1927 although the course was not officially opened until May 9,1928. The extended course was achieved through the acquisition of additional land which today gives us our famous quarry holes-plus the 15th to the 17th holes. Apart from the addition or removal of hazards and re-siting the positions of the 12th, 13th and 15th greens the course remains very much the same as the original 18 holes layout completed in 1927.

he Clubhouse

The clubhouse was originally built in 1781 as a private residence by Robert Carroll, and was known as Donnycarney House. Carroll was the proprietor of Donnycarney Quarries, the stone from which was used in the 18th and 19th centuries to pave many of the streets of Dublin.

The house was later to be sold several times and in 1853, it became the home of Alex Thom, the famous Scottish-born printer who had launched Thom’s Irish Almanac and Official Directory in 1844.

Thom died in Donnycarney House in 1879, and when his widow, Sarah, passed away in 1903 the house became the property of Sir Andrew M. Porter, Master of the Rolls. He died in 1919. In August 1921, the Rev. John Love Morrow, President of Clontarf Golf Club, received a letter from Porter’s widow, Helen, informing him of her intentions to move out. In November of the same year, after the terms set out by Dublin Corporation were accepted, Donnycarney House became the splendid new home of Clontarf Golf Club.

Our refurbished top quality Clubhouse, completed in mid 2011, provides a fine architectural blending of old and new. It offers convivial surroundings that can be enjoyed before and after a round of golf on our superbly manicured course.

Since its foundation the membership of the Club has continued to rise and now stands at 1350. To finish on a historical note, at an S.G.M. on September 5, 2001, the members voted  to facilitate the progression of Lady Members to Ordinary Membership.