The European Club – Championship Links on Ireland’s East Coast

Overview

The European Club is one of Ireland’s most revered modern links courses, located on the rugged coastline of Brittas Bay in County Wicklow. Designed, built and owned by the legendary Pat Ruddy, the course opened in 1993 and has since earned a reputation as one of the purest, toughest and most beautifully crafted links experiences in the world. Its dramatic dunes, rolling fairways, strategic bunkering and Atlantic scenery make it an essential stop for golfers seeking a true championship links challenge.

Set across a spectacular stretch of coastline, The European Club was created with a clear vision: to honour the traditions of links golf while elevating it through thoughtful, modern design. The routing flows through towering dunes, wide sandy corridors and natural ridges, offering golfers constant elevation changes, stunning ocean views and a thrilling variety of holes. Every fairway and green site feels completely natural, blending seamlessly into the ancient linksland.

The course is famously demanding. Firm and fast fairways run diagonally across the landscape, coastal winds change the strategy daily, and long, beautifully contoured greens test imagination and precision. Ruddy’s trademark bunkers — deep, revetted and often dramatically sculpted — define the risk-reward nature of the layout. The 12th and 13th holes run directly alongside the beach, providing some of the most breathtaking seaside golf in Ireland.

One of the club’s unique features is its 20-hole layout, which includes two additional short holes designed to enhance variety and flexibility during play. This adds character and reinforces the club’s identity as a place where tradition meets innovation.

The European Club has hosted some of the game’s best players, including multiple practice rounds by Tiger Woods before The Open Championship. Its consistent ranking among the top 100 courses worldwide reflects its status as one of the greatest modern links creations.

The clubhouse is understated yet welcoming, offering panoramic sea views, comfortable dining and bar areas, and a relaxed, golfer-focused atmosphere. Practice facilities include putting greens and warm-up areas suitable for preparing for the strategic test ahead.

The European Club is an extraordinary blend of natural beauty, rugged challenge and visionary architecture. It stands proudly as one of the finest links in Ireland — bold, pure and unforgettable.