Top Early days

Ballybunion Golf Club was originally founded in 1896 but died after only two years. The club was re-established in 1906 when a nine hole course was laid out on the instructions of Lionel Hewison, a prominent journalist of the day. It was extended to 18 holes in 1926.

When the Irish Championship of 1937 was fixed for Ballybunion, the English architect Tom Simpson was hired to give advice and make suitable alterations to the routing of the holes and the siting of the tees and greens.

He laid out the links very much as we know it today. But when the new clubhouse was built in 1970 the numbers of the holes had to be altered. The 14th (featuring Mrs. Simpson's mid fairway bunkers) became the 1st and the 13th the 18th.

The course - widely accepted as one of Ireland's best - attracts visitors from all over the world. Set in the relatively remote south-west, Ballybunion has not as yet been invited to stage any international professional tournaments. But the Irish men's and ladies' championships have taken place there several times, including 1991.