Course of the Month - Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow, Ireland

The English name Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag in Irish) came from Lord Walter Bagenal, who based the town on Versailles in France, and the town's courthouse resembles that of Versailles. Bagenal built the town on the River Barrow to allow for trade and access to the town. He originally wanted the town to be called "New Versailles".

Bagenalstown boasts a long established (1963) Pitch and Putt course, which measures 941 yards (860 metres).Bagenalstown Pitch and Putt is considered to be one of the best in the country in terms of design and level of maintenance. It is an undulating course with a great variety of holes from long to short, which will test the skills of even the best players.

Holes 4 and 8 of the Bagenalstown layout are particularly attractive with their elevated tee boxes. Holes 11 and 15 will bring the best out of the long hitters. The greens are generous and in top condition due to the dedicated work of the members, so birdies can be in good supply. The club is situated in a unique and pleasant setting with views of Mount Leinster and Leighlin Hills.

Back in the 1930s, it was the pavilion of the local 9 hole golf course, a layout that stretched from the town to the railway track - on the Dublin to Waterford mainline. Just after the new millennium, the structure was lavishly restored as the clubhouse of the Bagenalstown civic sporting amenity, a wonderful facility that is currently shared by the town's Pitch and Putt, soccer club and tennis Clubs.

The Bagenalstown sports facility (adjoined by the local cricket and GAA clubs, in a real feat of sporting ecumenism in Co. Carlow) was originally funded by a grant of IR£93,000 in 1943 by Bagenalstown native, Daniel McGrath, who had a famous tea emporium of Bachelor's Walk, Dublin).

Course address is:
McGrath Park, Dunleckeny,
Bagenalstown,
Co Carlow
Phone: +353 (0) 59 9721833

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