Rathcore golf club Meath
Rathcore Golf Course
The course may be described as parkland but this would not be sufficient. The defining features of this 18 Hole golf course are the 2 ring forts, the motte and the numerous natural springs that enable 12 of the holes to have water features.
Under the direction of Mel Flanagan (Irish Golf Design) this course has been moulded by Mick and Austin Lyons with emphasis on retaining the inherent charm of the surrounding area. All greens have been shaped by Ollie Sutton who has worked on some of the finest courses in Ireland.
Located 4 miles from Enfield, Rathcore Golf and Country Club offer's a magnificently fashioned golf course offering 18 challenging holes of play set against the backdrop of the rolling drumlins of Co. Meath. Spectacular water features reflect tree-lined horizons, generous greens and wide fairways. History embraces the creativity of this modern course design. The charm and special ambience of the course has been crafted in rapport with nature to provide a unique challenge to every standard of golfer.
Members and visitors alike should be able to find all necessary information about the club on the website but if not the office will be more than pleased to deal with any enquiries whether by phone or e-mail.
Rathcore was voted the No. 93-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2009;
Rathcore was voted the No. 83-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2008;
Green Fees Monday to Thursday: | €25 |
Green Fees Weekends & B.H.: | €30 |
Green Fees with a Member: | €20/30 |
Green Fees for Opens: | €30 |
Practice Area: | Yes |
Club Hire: | Yes |
Buggy Hire: | Yes |
Soft Spikes: | Yes |
Full Membership Available: | Yes |
Full Membership Fee: | €659 |
Full Ladies Membership Fee: | €458 |
Full Husband & Wife Membership Fee: | €917 |
Full Under-35 Membership Fee: | €458 |
Full 1st time GUI Membership Fee: | €408 |
Full 5-Day Membership Fee: | €458 |
Full 3-Day Membership Fee: | €308 |
Full Student Membership Fee: | €258 |
Entrance Fee: | None |
Course Type | Parkland |
No Holes | 18 |
Members | 396 |
Designer | Mel Flannigan |
Founded | 2004 |
Address | Rathcore, |
Telephone | +353 (0)46 9541883 |
info@rathcoregolfclub.ie | |
Website | Rathcore golf club website |
Secretary/Manager: | Mick Lyons/Aileen McDonnell |
Captain: | Joe O'Donoghue |
Lady Captain: | Lucy McLeron |
President: |
Val Callanan |
Vice-Captains': | None |
Hon. Secretary: | Sean Ward & Sharon Conway |
Club Pro: | Colm Dunne |
Hon. Treasure: | Ciaran Geoghegan & Susan O'Donoghue |
Comp. Secretary: | Michael Dowling, Micheal Greaney & Jess Shiels |
Location Map
Lat:53.450058
Long:-6.833539
General Facts & Information
Course opening hours: Daylight hours | Clubhouse opening hours: am to pm |
Mobile phones: Not on course |
Dress Code: Neat and casual, no denim |
Catering: Full catering, facilities | Days to Avoid: None |
Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other Days | Pre-booking for open Tournaments:14 Days in advance |
Rathcore Golf Club Fixtures 2024 provisional*
Open & Major Fixtures 2024 (Confirmed) | ||||
Event | Start | Finish | Type | Duration |
Captains' Drive-In | Sunday 24 March |
Closed | 1 | |
Vice-Captains Prize | Saturday 25 May |
Sunday 26 May | Closed | 2 |
Vice-Captains Prize | Sunday 26 May |
Closed | 1 | |
Ladies Vice-Captains Prize |
Sunday 26 May | Closed | 1 | |
President's Prize | Saturday 29 June | Sunday 30 June |
Closed | 2 |
President's Prize | Sunday 30 June |
Closed | 1 | |
President's Prize to the Ladies |
Sunday 30 June | Closed | 1 | |
Captain's Prize Day 1 | Saturday 24 August | Sunday 25 August | Closed | 2 |
Captain's Prize Day 1 | Sunday 25 August |
Closed | 1 | |
Captain's Prize |
Saturday 31 August | Closed | 1 | |
Lady Captain's Prize | Saturday 31 August | Closed | 1 | |
Lady Captain's Prize to the Men | Saturday 28 September | Sunday 29 September | Closed | 2 |
Lady Captain's Prize to the Men | Sunday 29 September | Closed | 1 | |
Captain's Prize to the Ladies |
Sunday 29 September | Closed | 1 | |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Wednesday 3 January | Thursday 4 January |
Open |
2 |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Thursday 4 January | Open | 1 | |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Wednesday 10 January | Thursday 11 January |
Open | 2 |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Thursday 11 January | Open | 1 | |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Wednesday 17 January | Thursday 18 January |
Open | 2 |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Thursday 18 January |
Open | 1 | |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Wednesday 24 January | Thursday 25 January |
Open | 2 |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Thursday 25 January |
Open | 1 | |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Wednesday 31 January |
Thursday 1 February |
Open | 2 |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Thursday 1 February | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Fourball Betterball |
Monday 5 February | Open | 1 |
|
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Wednesday 7 February | Thursday 8 February |
Open | 2 |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Thursday 8 February | Open | 1 | |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Wednesday 14 February | Thursday 15 February |
Open | 2 |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Thursday 15 February | Open | 1 | |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Wednesday 21 February | Thursday 22 February |
Open | 2 |
9-Hole Singles Stableford | Thursday 22 February | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 28 February |
Thursday 29 February |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 29 February |
Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 6 March | Thursday 7 March |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 7 March | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 13 March | Thursday 14 March |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 14 March | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Saturday 16 March | Sunday 17 March |
Open | 2 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Sunday 17 March | Open | 1 | |
2-Person Scramble | Monday 18 March | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 20 March | Thursday 21 March |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 21 March | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Saturday 23 March | Open | 2 |
|
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 27 March | Thursday 28 March |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 28 March | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Friday 29 March |
Sunday 31 March |
Open | 3 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Saturday 30 March |
Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Sunday 31 March |
Open | 1 |
|
3-Person Rumble |
Monday 1 April | Open | 1 |
|
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 3 April | Thursday 4 April | Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 4 April | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 10 April | Thursday 11 April |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 11 April | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 17 April | Thursday 18 April |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 18 April | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 24 April | Thursday 25 April |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 25 April | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 1 May | Thursday 2 May | Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 2 May | Open | 1 | |
Junior Scratch Cup | Saturday 4 May |
Sunday 5 May | Open | 2 |
Junior Scratch Cup | Sunday 5 May |
Open |
1 |
|
Inter. Scratch Cup | Saturday 4 May | Sunday 5 May | Open | 2 |
Inter. Scratch Cup | Sunday 5 May | Open | 1 | |
Minor Scratch Cup | Saturday 4 May | Sunday 5 May | Open | 2 |
Minor Scratch Cup | Sunday 5 May | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford | Tuesday 7 May | Open | 1 |
|
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 8 May | Thursday 9 May |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 9 May | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 15 May | Thursday 16 May |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 16 May | Open | 1 | |
Club Charity Day | Friday 17 May | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 22 May | Thursday 23 May |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 23 May | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 29 May |
Thursday 30 May |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 30 May |
Open | 1 | |
3-Person Champagne Scramble | Saturday 1 June | Sunday 2 June |
Open | 2 |
3-Person Champagne Scramble | Sunday 2 June | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Monday 3 June | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 5 June | Thursday 6 June |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 6 June | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford | Tuesday 11 June | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 12 June | Thursday 13 June |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 13 June | Open | 1 | |
Singles Stableford | Wednesday 19 June | Thursday 20 June |
Open | 2 |
Singles Stableford | Thursday 20 June | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. 4-Ball Betterball | Saturday 22 June | Sunday 23 June | Open | 2 |
L. & G. 4-Ball Betterball | Sunday 23 June | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 26 June | |
Open | 1 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Tuesday 2 July | Wednesday 3 July |
Open | 2 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 3 July | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 10 July | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 17 July | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 24 July |
|
Open | 1 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 31 July |
|
Open | 1 |
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford | Tuesday 6 August | Wednesday 7 August |
Open | 1 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 7 August | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G.Singles Stableford | Wednesday 14 August | |
Open | 1 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 21 August |
|
Open | 1 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 28 August |
|
Open | 1 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Tuesday 3 September | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 4 September | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 11 September | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 18 September |
Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 25 September |
Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford | Tuesady 1 October | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 2 October | |
Open | 1 |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 9 October | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 16 October | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 23 October | Open | 1 |
|
3-Person Rumble any combination | Monday 28 October | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 30 October | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford | Tuesday 5 November | Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 6 November | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 13 November | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 20 November | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 27 November | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Seniors Singles Stableford | Tuesday 3 December |
Open | 1 | |
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 4 December |
Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 11 December | Open | 1 |
|
L. & G. Singles Stableford | Wednesday 18 December | Open | 1 |
Card of the Course
Key | Data |
White | Par 72 SSS 74 6,555 yd?s |
Yellow | Par 72 SSS 72 6,008 yd?s |
Red | Par 72 SSS 72 5,321 yd?s |
Green | Par 72 SSS 73 6,318 yd's |
Card
Hole No. | White | Green | Yellow | Par | Index | Red | Par | Index |
1 | 543 | 530 | 510 | 5 | 5 |
434 | 5 | 7 |
2 | 390 | 380 | 367 | 4 | 9 |
285 | 4 | 13 |
3 | 311 | 293 | 270 | 4 | 7 |
264 | 4 | 9 |
4 | 188 | 180 | 168 | 3 | 11 |
120 | 3 | 15 |
5 | 425 | 410 | 390 | 4 | 3 | 367 | 4 | 3 |
6 | 317 | 317 | 301 | 4 | 17 | 271 | 4 | 11 |
7 | 311 | 300 | 292 | 4 | 15 | 277 | 4 | 5 |
8 | 465 | 435 | 435 | 4 | 1 | 390 | 4 | 1 |
9 | 138 | 130 | 121 | 3 | 13 | 84 | 3 | 17 |
Out | 3,088 | 2,975 | 2,854 | 35 | 2,492 | 35 | ||
10 | 515 | 510 | 481 | 5 | 18 | 457 | 5 | 12 |
11 | 165 | 165 | 154 | 3 | 14 | 106 | 3 | 18 |
12 | 442 | 435 | 403 | 4 | 2 | 366 | 4 | 2 |
13 | 557 | 532 | 513 | 5 | 12 | 471 | 5 | 6 |
14 | 367 | 345 | 328 | 4 | 10 | 311 | 4 | 10 |
15 | 406 | 388 | 369 | 4 | 4 |
322 | 4 | 8 |
16 | 197 | 178 | 139 | 3 | 6 |
110 | 3 | 16 |
17 | 337 | 320 | 308 | 4 | 16 | 294 | 4 | 14 |
18 | 481 | 470 | 459 | 5 | 8 | 392 | 5 | 4 |
In | 3,467 | 3,343 | 3,154 | 37 | 2,829 | 37 | ||
Total | 6,555 | 6,318 | 6,008 | 72 | 5,321 | 72 | ||
SSS | 74 | 73 | 72 | 72 |
Notable rounds
Men's Course Record:
Ladies Course Record:
Members Achievements
The Ladies from Rathcore Golf Club reached the All-Ireland Semi-Final of the Women’s Intermediate Foursomes at Gorth Golf Club on Friday 13th September 2024 when they lost out to the Ladies of Athenry Golf Club by 2½-matches to 1½-matches. They were led out by Edel McNally with Ann Moylan-Cleary who lost heir match by the minimum against Marian Hosty with Eilish O'Flynn, they were followed by Sharon Conway with Jess Shiels who lost their match by 4 and 2 against Ailish Duke with Kara O'Neill, in the penultimate match Majella O'Donoghue with Noreen Sheridan won their match by 1-hole against Aoife McCormack with Fiona Burke and in the bottom match of Kathleen Broad with Marian Prat against Maria Conlon with Marion O'Brien was halved.
They met the Ladies from Co. Cavan Golf Club in the Quarter-Finals on Saturday 31st August at the same venue and recorded a 3-matches to 1-match. First on the tee was Edel McNally with Ann Moylan-Cleary who halved their match against Joanne Hayes with Anne Callaghan, next up was Sharon Conway with Jess Shiels who had a 2 and 1 win against Grainne Thurston with Claire Thomas, in the penultimate match Majella O'Donoghue with Noreen Sheridan had a 2-hole win against Caroline Griffith with Mary Mulvey and in the bottom match of Kathleen Broad with Marian Pratt against Catherine O'Hanlon with Margaret Sheridan was halved.
The Ladies of Rathcore Golf Club won the East Leinster Final of the Challenge Cup at the K Club on Sunday 1st September 2019 when they beat the Ladies of Black Bush Golf Club by 3-matches to 2-matches.
They were led out by Kay Dermody who beat Eileen Hughes by 4 and 3, she was followed by Carmel Kennedy who had a very comfortable 7 and 6 win over Carmel Grimes, next on the tee was Noreen Sheridan who recorded a 3 and 2 win over Brenda Fagan, in the penultimate match Anne Maher lost her match against Ita Dillon by 6 and 5 and in the bottom match Mary Flood lost her match by a similar margin against Pat Barry.
History of Rathcore
Starting in February 2002, the site consisted of rolling grassland, several natural springs, 3 ponds, several furze covered natural hillocks and 3 recorded archaeological sites. It is these factors which have influenced the design of the course and this natural form has enabled it to be one of the most exciting new golf courses in Ireland.
The royal site of Rathcore - Dún Cúair, which was ruled by the Cenél Coirpri branch of the Uí Néill dynasty, was the chief settlement in the surrounding region during the early medieval period. It's position close to the border with Leinster - Laigin, meant it played an important role in the politics of 9th century Ireland. In 804 AD the high king áed Oirdnide (áed the ordained) attended a meeting here with the synods of the Uí Néill'. It is suggested that it was here that áed became the first king of Tara to be inaugurated ecclesiastically. Dún Cúair was also a regular rendezvous for Uí Néill armies attacking Leinster. It is also said that the road from the west of Ireland to the Hill of Tara went thru the course during this time.
It is this sense of history which becomes very evident when one is navigating the fairways adjoining two ring forts and motte. These features play a large part in providing for a memorable golfing experience.
What the Club tells us:
Field Survey: Rathcore Golf and Country Club
This survey is intended to give the reader an overview of the ancient monuments located on the grounds of Rathcore Golf and Country Club in the townland of Rathcore in south County Meath. The monuments are silent testimony to continuous human activity in these lands from the Bronze Age. The recorded history associated with the monuments also give an indication of the strategic importance of Rathcore in the early 9 th century right up to and including the Norman era.
The townland of Rathcore forms part of the parish of Enfield and Rathmolyon in south County Meath, in the Barony of Moyfenrath. The name of Rathcore is an anglicised version of its ancient name Dun Cuair meaning Cuair’s dun or rath. (O'Donovan, 2001). Rathcore Golf and Country Club is located 3.5km north by north-west of the village of Enfield. From the village take the Rathmolyon/Trim road, then the first left turn and then the next right, continuing past Jordanstown Church. Take the next left after the church and travel almost to the end of this road, where access to the monuments is through the main gate of the golf club. 1
The 130-acre golf course site contains two recorded ringforts and a recorded motte. (Moore, 1987). As part of the process for developing the land into a golf course, a pre-development archaeological assessment was carried out in 1999 to accompany the planning permission application for the development. This identified one additional potential archaeological site (Meenan, 1999). In 2002, an archaeological survey of the lands was carried out, and this identified an additional site thought to be a fulacht fiadh. (Clutterbuck, 2003). This was not the site that was identified in the 1999 survey.
1 Entrance to the monuments requires permission from the owners of the club.
The fields, which contain the monuments have been farmed from ancient times until recently when they were developed along with surrounding lands to become part of the golf course. The natural landscape of the land has been drastically altered in the building of the course. As protected monuments, the raths or motte were not disturbed but much of the area of land surrounding them was, and many artificial mounds and hills were built so now it is difficult to get an overall sense of the natural landscape of the site. The fields surrounding the golf course are naturally undulating farmland of grass and tillage and they, however, have remained unaltered, thus giving some idea of the natural landscape.
On the golf course site there are two streams, one of which forms the boundary of the golf course with a neighbouring farm. This stream also marks the boundary of the townlands of Ballinaskea and Rathcore. The second stream is a tributary of the first and it runs through the golf course site. Its course was altered so that it could be incorporated into the artificial water features of the course and it is now mostly running underground. It also marks the boundary of the townlands of Rathcore and Jordanstown, although it is mostly not now visible on the landscape.
The Archaeological Evidence
The description of the two ringforts and the motte on the site are taken from the files of the Archaeological Survey accessed in the office of the National Monuments Service, Dublin IN April 2009. These surveys were carried out in the years 1969-70 and added to in 1984-5; I have also included some of my own observations on changes to the monuments since these surveys were carried out.
SMR48:003
On entering the golf course by the golfer’s route, the first of the monuments comes into view to the east. It is the largest in size of the two ringforts on the site and is situated on the south slope of a small hill. The interior of the ringfort is almost circular in shape with its diameter measuring 50m east-north-east – west-south-west and 52m north-north-west – south-south- east. It is surrounded by a broad U-shaped fosse (Fig1). There is a visible gap in the bank at north-north-east and this may be the original entrance (Fig 2). There are also two other gaps in the bank but these are more likely recent alterations. They are at the east and south-south- west side.
The original survey in 1969 noted that one side of the entrance was lined with spalls. It also recorded wide cultivation ridges running east-west through the interior but these, however, are not now visible. The south bank of the rath is now covered in hawthorn, elder and briars making this area difficult to investigate.
SMR48:004
Leaving that ringfort and walking east-north-east, the second ringfort can easily be seen ahead as it is situated on top of a fairly high round hillock (Fig 3). The interior is broad oval in shape measuring 28m north-north-east – south-south-west and 22m west-north-west – east- south-east. There are only slight remains of an earthen bank surrounding it. A possible entrance is at north-north-east where there is a narrow gap in the bank. On the west side there is also a smaller gap possibly made by cattle. The 1969 surveyor recorded that directly inside this gap there were some depressions in the ground, possibly the remains of a souterrain. The first depression was recorded as roughly circular, with a smaller one to its east, and these were linked by a narrow curving depression. The depressions are still somewhat visible today but seem to have deteriorated into one. The ringfort is surrounded by whitethorn trees and briars in places (Fig 4 & 5).
SMR48:5
The motte is situated east of this rath in the townland of Jordanstown. It is accessed by crossing the stream that marks the townland boundary between Rathcore and Jordanstown.
The motte is situated on top of a natural hillock on a ridge that runs north-north-west – south- south-east (Fig 6). The 1969 survey records “no definite traces of antiquity at this site” but the subsequent survey of 1985 states that a motte did stand on top of this natural hill. What remains at present is a flat-topped mound measuring 12.5m north-south and 9m east-west (Fig 7). On the east side of the mound there is an old quarry hole which destroys the natural slope of the hill but the top of the motte is clearly round on this side where it is 1m higher than the natural slope of the hill. The hill is covered in furze bushes on the south side and overgrown with bushes and briars on the other sides so it is difficult to visualize the area mentioned in the 1985 survey. As with many such sites there is a single tree growing on top of it.
The Fulacht Fiadh
This site directly south-east of the motte was identified in the Meath County Council Field Monuments advisor during the development stage of the golf course. A condition of the planning permission was that archeological monitoring of the site was carried out prior to development and as part of this task, soil-stripping was carried out and subsequently a burnt mound was discovered on the proposed site of green 3.
It was visible as an area of black soil with sandstone and charcoal, situated on the margin of an area of marshy water-logged ground. A further area measuring c. 20m in diameter could be seen as a raised area nearby, close to the proposed green 3. The site appeared to be a burnt mound or a possible fulacht fiadh. No further archeological investigation was carried out, and the burnt area was re-covered with soil. The proposed design of the green was altered in order to avoid the site. The area was not marked in any manner and is not now visible on the ground due to being overgrown.
The potential archaeological site:
This area which was identified in initial archaeological report of 1999 is situated north-east of the motte. The site was believed to be the remains of a small ringfort. It was visible as a kink in a field fence, semicircular in shape and approximately 20m in diameter (Fig 8). During the development of the golf course, it became apparent that this site would be impacted upon by the removal of the natural field boundary. The recommendation was that the field boundary could be removed but that no further ground disturbance could take place. The work was carried out under supervision and the area of the potential archeological site was built up with soil in order to protect it and to define its position.
These are the known archaeological sites on the golf course. The monitoring by soil-stripping process was carried out over all of the planned eighteen greens and tees but no further archaeological features were discovered.
The Recorded Historical Evidence
The earliest evidence of human habitation around the immediate area of the golf course comes from an early Bronze Age axe that accompanied a single burial site which was found in the townland of Jordanstown, in the eastern most part of the grounds of Ryndville House (Harbison, 1968). This site is just about 2 kilometers east of the golf course.
The oldest known written record of Rathcore is from the 9 th century. Rathcore (its ancient name was Dun Cuair) was, at that time, in the part of the country that was ruled by the Cenél Coirpri branch of the Uí Néill family (Keating). From the annals, it appears that Dun Cuair was a prominent settlement and/or ceremonial site of the Uí Néill clan. Lying close to the border with Leinster, it hosted gatherings of the Uí Néills for both ceremonial occasions and as a meeting place for the clan before its attacks on the neighbouring kingdom of Leinster. In AD 804, Áed Oirdnide, the Uí Neill King brought an army to Dun Cuair from where he caused the devastation, twice in one month of the Kingdom of Laigin (Leinster). In the same year at Dun Cuair there was a meeting of the synods of the Uí Neill clan, presided over by Connmach Abbott of Armagh. In AD 805, from Dun Cuair Áed Oirdnide enforced a division of Laigin between two kings, Muireadhach, son of Ruaraidh and Muireadhach, son of Bran. (AU 804.7/805.7/818.6)
With reference to the geographical importance of Rathcore, Geissel (2006) contends that there is evidence to suggest that the route from Clonmacnoise or Galway to Dublin on the Slighe Mhor would have deviated at Clonard to Dun Cuair and on to Tara. Taken in the context of above recorded frequent gatherings of the Uí Neill at Dun Cuair, this would seem a feasible route.
Keating mentions that at the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111, “Carn Duin Cuair” was to form the southern border of the See of Daimhliag (Duleek). This is the only record of “Cairn” Dun Cuair. It is an interesting reference as there is no cairn visible on the landscape today but I make reference to it in the context of the 1969 surveyor’s intriguing description of the hill on which the motte stands as “a natural truncated cone shaped sandhill”.
Conclusion
As can be seen from the accompanying map, there is a significant cluster of archaeological sites in the general area of Rathcore. Apart from the monuments already cited, two other monuments lie in the immediate vicinity of the golf course at Rathcore. SMR48:6 a ringfort, 58 metres in diameter and SMR48:7 a cropmark. Because of their proximity, they could arguably be associated with the golf course sites.
From the archaeological and historical evidence outlined above, it can be seen that Rathcore was a strategically important site for the Uí Neill clan from the 9 th century and because of its historical significance was fortified by the Normans in the 12 th century.
The coming of the Normans to Ireland had a huge effect of the county of Meath; it became one of the most colonised regions of the country. The area of Rathcore in the Liberty of Meath was granted by King Henry II to the Norman Knight Sir Hugh de Lacey in 1169. The motte in the townland of Jordanstown is the only remaining visual evidence in the area of this Norman colonisation although there did exist a castle in the area in the 1600’s (Simington, 1940). The building of the motte at Jordanstown (very close to Dun Cuair) would seem to fit in with the Norman practice of building their fortifications at sites of previous strategic importance.
My survey has hopefully given the reader a general idea of the ancient monuments located on the grounds of Rathcore Golf and Country Club. It is gratifying to know that despite the large-scale development of recent years, because they are protected monuments, their future is safe for future generations to view and contemplate.
Bibliography
Clutterbuck, R. (2003). Archaeological Monitoring Report for the proposed golf course in Rathcore - Jordanstown, Co. Meath. Dublin: Cultural Resource Development Services Ltd.
Geissel, H. (2006). A road on the long ridge: in search of the ancient highway on the Esker Riada. Newbridge: CRS Publications.
Keating, G. (n.d.). The History of Ireland (BOOK I-II). Retrieved August 22, 2009, from CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College, Cork: http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100054/
Moore, M. J. (1987). Archaeological inventory of County Meath . Dublin: Government Stationary Office.
O'Donovan, J. (2001). Ordnance Survey letters Meath:letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Meath collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1836. Dublin: Four Masters press.
Annals of Ulster, (2009). CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College Cork. Retrieved August 20, 2009, from http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T100001A.html
Harbison, Peter (1968), Catalogue of Irish Early Bronze Age associated finds containing copper and Bronze PRIA Vol. 67
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Roll of Honour
Member | Year | Hon. Position |
Michael McGlynn | 2005 | Men's Captain |
Lynn Elliott | 2005 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2005 | President |
Michael McGlynn | 2006 | Men's Captain |
Lynn Elliott | 2006 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2006 | President |
Tommy Kenny | 2007 | Men's Captain |
Lynn Elliott | 2007 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2007 | President |
Denis O'Keeffe | 2008 | Men's Captain |
Dolores Lyons | 2008 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2008 | President |
Jim Reilly | 2009 | Men's Captain |
Aida Satchwell | 2009 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2009 | President |
Muriel Ryle | 2010 | Men's Captain |
Derek Kavanagh | 2010 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2010 | President |
Muriel Ryle | 2011 | Men's Captain |
Eddie Hussey | 2011 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2011 | President |
Donal Clavin | 2012 | Men's Captain |
Rosaleen Collins | 2012 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2012 | President |
Martin McEnroe | 2013 | Men's Captain |
Rosaleen Collins |
2013 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2013 | President |
Frank Long | 2014 | Men's Captain |
Elaine Young | 2014 | Ladies Captain |
Patrick V. Lyons | 2014 | President |
Tom Conaty | 2015 | Men's Captain |
Helen Walsh |
2015 | Ladies Captain |
Eddie Hussey | 2015 | President |
Margaret Noone | 2015 | Lady President |
Colm Dunne | 2016 | Men's Captain |
Christine Kenny | 2016 | Ladies Captain |
Eddie Hussey |
2016 | President |
Margaret Noone |
2016 | Lady President |
Joe Kenna | 2017 | Men's Captain |
Mary Flood | 2017 | Ladies Captain |
Eddie Hussey | 2017 | President |
Margaret Noone | 2017 | Lady President |
2018 | Men's Captain | |
2018 | Ladies Captain | |
2018 | President | |
2018 | Lady President | |
Brendan McGrath | 2019 | Men's Captain |
Jacinta O'Keeffe | 2019 | Ladies Captain |
Paddy Lyons |
2019 | President |
Elaine Young | 2019 | Lady President |
Patrick Dunne | 2020 | Men's Captain |
Kathleen Broad | 2020 | Ladies Captain |
Mary Brennan | 2020 | Lady President |
Charlie Ennis | 2020 | President |
Michael Dowling | 2021 | Men's Captain |
Majella O'Donoghue | 2021 | Ladies Captain |
Mary Brennan | 2021 | Lady President |
Charlie Ennis | 2021 | President |
Michael Martin | 2022 | Men's Captain |
Edel McNally | 2022 | Ladies Captain |
Val Callinan |
2022 | President |
Charlie Ennis | 2023 | Men's Captain |
Ann Moylan-Cleary |
2023 | Ladies Captain |
Val Callinan |
2023 | President |
Joe O'Donoghue | 2024 | Men's Captain |
Lucy McLeron | 2024 | Ladies Captain |
Val Callinan | 2024 | President |
Terry Lyons | 2024 | Lowest Handicap |
Holes in One at Rathcore
Member | Date | Hole No. | Club Used | Distance |
Seamus McElwain | 22 February 2009 | 11th | 165 yd’s | |
Pat McMahon | 5 August 2009 | 16th | 197 yd’s |