Kirkistown Castle Golf Club

Kirkistown Castle Golf Club — old-school links on the Ards Peninsula

Wild, windswept and gloriously old-fashioned, Kirkistown Castle is links golf stripped to its essentials. Out on the tip of the Ards Peninsula, with the Irish Sea on the horizon and a ruined castle beside the course, it is a firm, fast, no-nonsense test shaped by the great James Braid.

Kirkistown Castle Golf Club is a traditional links at Cloughey, County Down, on the Ards Peninsula. It plays to a par of 70 over about 6,167 yards from the white tees, across hard, running turf exposed to the sea wind. Founded in 1902 and reshaped by five-time Open champion James Braid in 1934, it is a much-loved, authentic links.

Key Details

• Location: Cloughey, County Down, Northern Ireland
• Length: about 6,167 yards (white tees)
• Par: 70
• Designers: laid out in 1902; reshaped by James Braid (1934)
• Established: 1902
• Notable Events: host of amateur tournaments, including the All-Ireland Mixed Foursomes

History and significance

Kirkistown Castle Golf Club was formed in 1902 on the low-lying links land of the Ards Peninsula, beside the ruins of the 16th-century Kirkistown Castle that gives the club its name. The course took its enduring shape in 1934, when the legendary five-time Open champion James Braid visited to reposition tees, greens and bunkers — work that still defines the round today.

For more than a century it has been a favourite of Ulster golfers who relish traditional, unpretentious links golf, and it has hosted its share of amateur events. Modest updates in recent years have kept it in good order without losing its old-school character.

What makes Kirkistown special is exactly that character: firm ground, quirky humps and hollows, a genuine sea wind and a Braid pedigree — a proper links experience without the crowds or the price of the big names.

Photo via Google Business Profile (Kirkistown Castle Golf Club)

The course and how it plays

Kirkistown is a true links: hard, fast-running fairways, small firm greens and an ever-present sea breeze that can turn a gentle hole into a brute. James Braid’s routing uses the natural humps and hollows of the ground, so bounce and run matter as much as carry, and the ground game is richly rewarded.

It is not overly long, but the wind and the firm surfaces make it a real test of shot-making and nerve. This is links golf as it used to be played — honest, exposed and hugely enjoyable for those who embrace the elements.

Signature holes

Kirkistown’s named holes give the round real character; three stand out.

Hole 10 (Long Reach)

A muscular par five of around 524 yards into the prevailing wind — a genuine three-shot test where length and accuracy are both at a premium.

Hole 12 (Hill Top)

A fine par four of about 400 yards played to higher ground, rewarding a well-placed drive and a confident approach into the breeze.

Hole 18 (Long Last)

A stout closing par five of roughly 524 yards — a demanding finish where a strong, well-judged three shots earn a satisfying end to the round.

Why play Kirkistown Castle Golf Club

Kirkistown offers authentic, affordable links golf with a genuine James Braid pedigree, out on the peaceful Ards Peninsula. It rewards the ground game and a bit of grit against the wind, and its old-school character is a refreshing change from the polish of the big-name courses. For lovers of traditional links, it is a hidden gem worth seeking out.

Clubhouse and facilities

The clubhouse is friendly and welcoming, with dining serving local fare and views over the links, plus a pro shop for the essentials. Trolleys and buggies are available, and the relaxed, unfussy atmosphere is very much part of the appeal. It is a comfortable base for a day’s traditional links golf.

Green fees and booking

Kirkistown Castle offers a warm welcome to visitors every day and is well known as an affordable, good-value links, having been recognised as a leading value golf experience in Ulster. Green fees vary by day and season and remain modest for a course of this quality.

Advance booking is essential, and the course is walking-only. For current green fees and tee times, check the official website.

Getting there and parking

Kirkistown Castle is at Cloughey, near the tip of the Ards Peninsula in County Down.

• By car: from Belfast, take the A20 down the Ards Peninsula through Newtownards and Portaferry direction, following signs to Cloughey; the club is on the coast road.
• By public transport: Translink buses serve the Ards Peninsula from Newtownards, with a short taxi to the club.
• Address & parking: 142 Main Road, Cloughey, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 1JA, with on-site parking.

Where to stay

The Ards Peninsula and nearby towns offer quiet, scenic bases:

• Cloughey & Portaferry: guesthouses and B&Bs near the coast and the links.
• Newtownards: the nearest town, with hotels and a wider choice.
• Belfast: about an hour away for a bigger-city base and a wider trip.

Book ahead in summer, when the peninsula is popular with visitors.

What to pack

Exposed seaside links golf — pack for the wind above all:

• Waterproof jacket and trousers, plus a windproof layer
• A warm layer and a hat for the sea breeze
• Spare gloves and extra balls for the firm, running links
• Sturdy golf shoes for firm, undulating turf

Nearby attractions

The Ards Peninsula is rich in coast, history and wildlife.

Conclusion

Kirkistown Castle is links golf with the frills stripped away: firm turf, a Braid pedigree, a ruined castle and the sea wind for company. Play it and you will remember why the ground game is such a joy — and why the Ards Peninsula’s quiet gem deserves a place on any links lover’s list.

Frequently asked questions

When was Kirkistown Castle Golf Club established?

Kirkistown Castle Golf Club was formed in 1902 on the links land of the Ards Peninsula, beside the ruins of the 16th-century Kirkistown Castle. The course was given its enduring shape in 1934 by the legendary five-time Open champion James Braid, who repositioned tees, greens and bunkers. More than a century on, it remains a much-loved, traditional links, with modest recent updates keeping it in good order.

What is Kirkistown Castle’s par and length?

Kirkistown Castle plays to a par of 70 over about 6,167 yards from the white tees. It is not a long course, but as a firm, fast-running links exposed to the sea wind it plays far tougher than the card suggests. Small, firm greens and James Braid’s use of natural humps and hollows put a premium on the ground game, shot-making and nerve in the breeze rather than raw length.

Who designed Kirkistown Castle?

The club dates to 1902, but the course owes its lasting character to James Braid, the five-time Open champion and prolific course architect, who reshaped it in 1934 — repositioning tees and greens and placing the bunkers that still define the round. Braid’s traditional links routing, using the natural contours of the ground, is a large part of why the course is so admired by lovers of old-school golf.

How do I get to Kirkistown Castle Golf Club?

Kirkistown Castle is at Cloughey, near the tip of the Ards Peninsula in County Down. By car from Belfast, take the A20 down the peninsula through Newtownards towards Portaferry, following signs to Cloughey; the club sits on the coast road. By public transport, Translink buses serve the peninsula from Newtownards, with a short taxi to the club. The address is 142 Main Road, Cloughey, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 1JA, with on-site parking.

Are there other courses nearby?

Yes. The Ards Peninsula and North Down offer plenty of golf: the two courses at Clandeboye near Bangor, and Royal Belfast at Craigavad, are within a comfortable drive, and the championship links of County Down are within reach for a wider trip. Kirkistown’s traditional links makes a characterful addition to any golfing tour of the region.