The Island golf club Dublin
The Island Golf Course
The Island is one of Ireland's famous links golf courses in recognition of which it has hosted the Irish Close Championships 1998 and the Irish PGA Championship 1999. It has just completed a fine new clubhouse, which offers excellent facilities for members and guests.
Every hole on this course is a challenge, in particular the 13th, par-3 and there is a tremendous finishing hole on the 18th. If you play to your handicap on this course you will have played an excellent round of golf. The professional course record is held by, Darren Clarke at 63 in the Irish PGA Championship, his 63 can only be compared to the 60 he shot at The K Club in 2000. My son Shane is the assistant professional at this superb test of golf, if he is ever going to get his game back then it is here it will happen, as if you can play good golf at The Island you can play good golf anywhere.
The club has produced many fine golfers down through the years, as with many clubs in the country one family name is synonymous with the club. In the case of the Island it is the Rodgers, Aideen Rogers turned professional but has given it up, the rest of the family were all excellent golfers. The visitor is assured of a memorable and testing round of golf and the warmest of welcomes is extended by members and staff.
The Island was voted the No. 10-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Irish Golfer” in 2024 (Up-1);
The Island was voted the No. 11-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Irish Golfer” in 2023 (Up-1);
The Island was voted the No. 12-ranked golf course in Ireland, by “Irish Golfer” in 2022;
The Island was voted the No. 13-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2020 (Same);
The Island was voted the No. 13-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2019 (Same);
The Island was voted the No. 13-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2018 (Same);
The Island was voted the No. 13-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2017 (Same);
The Island was voted the No. 13-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2016 (Same);
The Island was voted the No. 13-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2015 (Up-1);
The Island was voted the No. 14-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2014 (Same);
The Island was voted the No. 14-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2013 (Down-2);
The Island was voted the No. 12-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2012;
The Island was voted the No. 10 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2012, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;
The Island was voted the No. 12-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2010;
The Island was voted the No. 10 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2010, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;
The Island was voted the No. 18-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2009;
The Island was voted the No. 10 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2009, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;
The Island was voted the No. 19-ranked golf course in Ireland, by "Golf Digest Ireland" in 2008;
The Island was voted the No. 10 Links/Shoreline Course in Ireland by "Backspin" Irelands leading Golf magazine in 2008, the panel comprised of a selection of 52 Professional and amateur golfers throughout Ireland;
Green Fees Summer Monday to Thursday: | €270 |
Green Fees Weekends Friday to Sunday. | €295 |
Green Fees with a Member: | €40 |
Green Fees for Opens: | Phone |
Practice Area: | Yes |
Club Hire: | Yes |
Buggy Hire: €50 |
Yes |
Soft Spikes: | No |
Membership Available: | Yes |
Full Membership Fees: | €1,630 |
Full Life Overseas Membership Fees: | €25,000 |
Full 29-year old Intermediate Membership Fees: | €1,530 |
Full 19-year old Intermediate Membership Fees: | €373 |
Full Junior 11-16 Membership Fees: | €220 |
Full Junior 11-15 Membership Fees: | €165 |
Full Juvenile 8-10 Membership Fees: | €55 |
Entrance Fee: | €11,410 |
Course Type | Links |
No Holes | 18 |
Members | 984 |
Designer | Fred Hawtree & Eddie Hackett |
Founded | 1890 |
Address | Corballis, |
Telephone | 01-8436205 |
info@theislandgolfclub.com | |
Website | The Island golf club website |
General Manager: | John Kelly |
Club Administrator: | Gary Carty |
Captain: | Stephen Craig |
Lady Captain: | Noelle Hurley |
Junior Captain: | |
President: | Eugene Reilly |
Vice-Captains': | & |
Hon. Secretary: | Joe Quinn |
Club Pro: | David Costigan 01-8435002 |
Hon. Treasurer: | Andrew Nolan |
Comp. Secretary: | Michael Magee & Liz Delaney |
Location Map
Lat:53.466759
Long:-6.126831
General Facts & Information
Course opening hours: Daylight hours | Clubhouse opening hours: 8.00am to 12.00pm |
Mobile phones: Not on course |
Dress Code: Neat and casual, no denim |
Catering: Full catering, facilities | Days to Avoid: Weekends, Wednesdays & Thursdays |
Green Fees and Societies Welcome: Other days | Pre-booking for open Tournaments:14 Days in advance |
The Island Golf Club Fixtures 2024 provisional*
Open & Major Fixtures 2024 (to be Confirmed) | ||||
Event | Start | Finish | Type | Duration |
Captains' Drive-In | Sunday 17 February |
Closed | 1 | |
Captain's Prize (Q) | Saturday 15 June | Sunday 16 June | Closed | 2 |
Captain's Prize (Q) | Sunday 16 June | Closed | 1 | |
Captain's Prize |
Sunday 22 June | Closed | 1 | |
Lady Captain's Prize 1st Day | Thursday 27 June | Closed | 1 | |
Lady Captain's Prize 2nd Day | Saturday 6 July |
Closed | 1 | |
President's Prize |
Saturday 20 July | Sunday 21 July | Closed | 2 |
President's Prize |
Sunday 21 July | Closed | 1 | |
President's Prize to the Ladies | Thursday 25 July | Closed | 1 | |
Professional's Prize to the Ladies | Thursday 22 August | Closed | 1 | |
Professional's Prize | Saturday 24 August | Closed | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 4 January | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 1 February | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 7 March | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 4 April | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Fourball Betterball | Tuesday 7 May | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 2 May | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 6 June | Open | 1 | |
Ladies 2-Person Team Event | Tuesday 4 June | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Play in Pink 4-Person Team Event |
Thursday 6 June | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Singles Stableford | Tuesday 11 June | Open |
1 |
|
Ladies 2-Person Team Event | Sunday 23 June | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Singles Stableford | Tuesday 2 July | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 4 July | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 1 August | Open | 1 | |
Philip Walton Trophy | Tuesday 6 August | Open | 1 | |
Ladies 3-Person Team Event |
Thursday 8 August | Open | 1 | |
Ladies 4-Person Team Event | Thursday 4 September |
Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 3 October | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Fourball Betterball |
Saturday 19 October |
Sunday 20 October |
Open | 1 |
Ladies Fourball Betterball | Sunday 20 October | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 7 November | Open | 1 | |
Ladies Seniors Singles Stableford | Thursday 5 December | Open | 1 |
Card of the Course
Key | Data |
White | Par 72 Slope 129 6,439 m |
Yellow | Par 72 Slope 124 5,632 m |
Red | Par 75 Slope 122 5,446 m |
Green | Par 72 Slope 127 6,120 m |
Card
Name | Hole No. | White | Green | Gold | Par | Index | Red | Par | Index |
Partridge Hollow | 1 | 398 | 386 | 370 | 4 | 4 |
368 | 5 | 17 |
Caul's View | 2 | 364 | 337 | 310 | 4 | 6 |
299 |
4 | 7 |
Cois tra |
3 | 462 |
453 |
370 | 5 |
16 |
365 | 5 | 15 |
Lambay | 4 | 143 |
125 |
115 | 3 |
14 |
334 |
4 |
13 |
Skylark's Nest |
5 | 391 | 343 | 334 | 4 | 2 |
300 |
4 | 1 |
Desert |
6 | 336 |
313 |
305 | 4 | 18 | 276 |
4 | 5 |
Ridge |
7 | 307 |
301 |
300 | 4 | 12 |
352 |
4 | 9 |
Tower |
8 | 389 |
368 |
360 | 4 | 8 |
253 |
4 | 11 |
Sandmartin |
9 | 374 |
366 |
329 | 4 |
10 |
130 |
3 |
3 |
Out | 3,164 |
2,992 | 2,793 | 36 | 2,694 | 37 | |||
Quarry | 10 | 479 | 462 | 450 | 5 | 9 |
455 | 5 | 2 |
Cricket Field | 11 | 385 | 362 | 290 | 4 | 11 |
298 | 4 | 16 |
Valhalla | 12 | 401 | 384 | 330 | 4 | 3 | 290 | 4 | 8 |
Broadmeadow | 13 | 190 | 197 | 190 | 3 | 7 |
186 | 4 | 18 |
Old Clubhouse | 14 | 333 | 315 | 300 | 4 | 15 | 271 | 4 | 10 |
Praire | 15 | 506 | 474 | 450 | 5 | 17 | 425 | 5 | 4 |
Andes | 16 | 173 | 158 | 130 | 3 | 13 | 125 | 3 | 14 |
Ireland's Eye | 17 | 385 | 355 | 320 | 4 | 5 |
314 | 4 | 12 |
Boulia Field | 18 | 423 | 421 |
370 | 4 | 1 | 405 | 5 | 6 |
In | 3,275 | 3,128 | 2,830 | 36 | 2,769 | 38 | |||
Total | 6,439 | 6,120 |
5,623 | 72 | 5,446 | 75 | |||
Slope | 129 |
127 |
124 | 122 |
Notable rounds
Men's Course Record: 66 Stuart Taylor Ass. Pro. 21/09/2009 Pro. 63 Darren Clarke
Ladies Course Record: Tara Delaney (Carlow Golf Club) 2004
Members Achievements
The ladies of the Island Golf Club reached the All-Ireland Semi-Finals of the Women’s Senior Cup when they lost out to the Ladies of Royal Portrush Golf Club by 4-matches to 1-match at Carlow Golf Club on Thursday 28th August 2024. They were led out by Lorna Fitzsimons who lost her match by 5 and 4 against Hannah Lee-McNamara, she was followed by Gillian O'Leary who lost her match against Gemma McMeekin by 4 and 3, next on the tee was Una McQuillen who went down to Judithe Allen by 7 and 5, the penultimate match of Gertie McMullen against Kayleigh Mulholland was halved as was the bottom match of Angie Dwyer against Laura Webb.
They met the Ladies from Royal Co. Down in the Quarter-Final in the morning and had a 3-matches to 2-matches win against them. Lorna Fitzsimons led them out and had a convincing 6 and 4 win against Beth Rodgers, next up was Una McQuillan who lost her match by 2-holes against Emma Dickson, she was followed by Gillian O'Leary who lost her match against Danielle McVeigh by 3 and 2, in the penultimate match Gertie McMullen had a 2 and 1 win against Joanna Campbel and in the bottom match Angie Dwyer had a comfortable 5 and 4 win against Elsie Campbel.
The Ladies from the Island Golf Club reached the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals of the Women’s Junior Cup on Friday 6th September 2024 at Athlone Golf Club when they lost out to the Ladies from Rockmount Golf Club by 3½-matches to 1½-match. They were led out by Eithne Knight who put the first point on the board with a 3 and 2 win against Jan Lindsay, she was followed by Angela Dwyer who went up the 19th before relinquishing the point to Andrea Watson, Karen McAllister lost her match against Abbie Poole as did Geraldine Ryan against Alexandria Poole and in the bottom match Nessa Mulcahy halved her match against Ciara Agnew.
The Island Golf Club qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the All-Ireland of the Irish Senior Cup at Tramore Golf Club on Saturday 3rd September 2022.
They were drawn against Athenry Golf Club and lost out by 3-matches to 2-matches.
They were led out by Joseph Hanney who won his match by 4 and 3 against David Mooney, he was followed by Eoin O’Sullivan who lost his match by the minimum against Aaron Gilligan, next on the tee was Kevin Leblanc who went down by 5 and 3 against David Kitt, in the penultimate match Conor Murtagh had a comfortable 5 and 4 win against Sean O’Connor and in the bottom and deciding match Jack Black lost out to Joe Bernie Jnr. By 4 and 3.
The Island Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Jimmy Bruen Final at Royal Tara Golf Club on 27th July 2019 when they beat Naas Golf Club by 3½-matches to 1½-matches.
They made their way to Westport Golf Club to participate in the All-Ireland deciders.
They were drawn against Munster Champions Nenagh Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on 20th September and recorded a 3½-matches to 1½-matches result at Westport Golf Club.
In the top match John Grant with Paul Cullen had a 2 and 1 win against Conor O’Dwyer with Tom O’Gara, next on the tee was John W. White with John Blake who lost their match by 1-hole against Padraic Hackett with Ray Hurley, they were followed by Conor and Cillian Hurley who went up the 19th before securing the point against Brian Freeman with and Matthew O’Gara Jnr. in the penultimate match Cain McCormack with Rory Govan beat Michael Scroope with Jack Adler by 3 and 1 and in the bottom match of John Gartland with Conor McGleenon against Michael Corrigan with Bernard Hackett was recorded as a halve when called-in.
The following day they met Ulster Champions Tandragee Golf Club in the All-Ireland decider and were led out again by John Grant with Paul Cullen, who won their match against Benjamin Boyd with James McConville by 3 and 2, they were followed by John W. White with John Blake who lost their match by 6 and 5 against Christopher Fearon with Adam Proctor, next on the tee was Conor and Cillian Hurley who went up the 19th before securing the point Johnny Quinn with Dean Acheson, in the penultimate match Cian McCormack with Rory Govan lost their match by 1-hole and in the bottom match John Gartland with Conor McGleenon went up the 19th before conceding the point and the green pennant against Jeff Forde with Aidan Place.
Paul McBride was selected as the only Irish representive on the Walker Cup Team for 2017.
The Ladies of The Island Golf Club won the Irish Ladies Senior Cup for the first time since the did the double back in 1928 and 1929, when they beat Kilkenny Golf Club in the decider by 3-matches to 2-matches at Thurles Golf Club on Saturday 15th August 2015, having accounted for Lahinch Golf Club by 4-matches to 1-match in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals and The Heath Golf Club by a similar margin in the Quarter-Final.
They were led out by Emma O’Driscoll who lost her match against the legendry Mary Dowling by 4 and 2, she was followed by Julie McCartney who went all the way to the 19th before securing the point for the North Co. Dublin Club, next on the tee was Amy Farrell who went down to Katie Aherne by 2 and 1, the penultimate match of Gillian O’Leary against Leahy Browne went 2 and 1 to The Island. The bottom match was never in doubt when Gertie McMullen had a very comfortable 6 and 5 win over Sarah Molloy.
The Ladies of The Island Golf Club won the East Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup when they beat Co. Louth on their home course by 3-matches to 2-matches on Saturday 11th May 2013.
It was on to Portumna Golf Club to compete in the National Deciders on Friday 16th August 2013, where they were drawn against where they were drawn against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Quarter Finals. First on the tee was Gillian O'Leary lost her match against Mary Dowling on the 19th, she was followed by Rachel Cassidy beat Eileen Rose Power 18th, next up was Julie McCarthy beat Mary Leahy Browne on the 18th, the penultimate match of Gertie McMullen against Orla Dunphy went all the way to the 20th before Kilkenny secured the point, in the bottom match Ashleigh Wilton lost out to Ann Smee by 3 and 2, so close, Kilkenny lost in the All-Ireland decider against Royal Portrush by 3½ matches to 1½ matches.
My congratulations to Gavin Moynihan on his call-up to the Walker Cup team to represent Great Britain & Ireland against the USA at the National Golf Links of America in Southampton, New York from September 7th and 8th. What a wonderful achievement for an 18-year-old.
The Ladies of The Island Golf Club reached the Semi-Finals of the All-Ireland Senior Cup Championship at Grange Golf Club on Sunday 18th August 2012, when they were beaten by Mid Leinster Champions Kilkenny Golf Club by 3½-matches to 1½-matches.
They were lead by Anna Courtney who lost out to the Kilkenny No. 1 Mary Dowling by 2 and 1, she was followed by Susy Sheehan who recorded a 3 and 2 loss to Eileen Rose Power, next up was Gertie McMullen who won her match by 4 and 3 against Mary Leahy-Browne by 4 and 3. In the penultimate match Ashleigh Wilton lost out to Orla Dumphy by 3 and 2, in the bottom match Angie Dwyer halved her match with Ann Smee when called in.
They played Portumna Golf Club in the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals on the Saturday and recorded a 3-matches to 2-matches victory against the Galway club.
This time they were lead again by Anna Courtney who lost out by 2 and 1 to Suzanne Corcoran, next up was Susy Sheehan who also lost her match against Ann Cassidy by 3 and 2, she was followed by Gertie McMullen who had a very comfortable 6 and 5 win over Claire Callanan. In the penultimate match Ashleigh Wilton beat Carmel McLoughlin by 5 and 3 and in the bottom match Angie Dwyer beat Anita Carey by 6 and 4.
They won the East-Leinster Senior Cup Championship when they beat Milltown Golf Club by 4-matches to 1-match at Headfort Golf Club on Sunday 13th May 2012.
They beat Laytown & Bettystown by 3-matches to 2-matches in the Semi-Finals that morning. They were lead by A. Courtney who beat A. Taylor on the 20th, next up was S. Sheehan who lost to C. Wickham by 4 and 3, she was followed by Gertie McMullen who beat P. O’Gorman by 2 and 1, the penultimate match saw A. Wilton beat B. Cooney by 2 and 1. In the bottom match E. Lowe lost out to R. Taylor by 5 and 3.
They played Milltown Golf Club in the Afternoon Finals and were lead again by A. Courtney who had a 1-hole win over D. Walsh, she was followed by S. Sheehan who halved her match against D. Carr, next up was Gertie McMullen who had a 4 and 2 win over P. Gleeson, the penultimate match of A. Wilton against M. McCarthy again went to the Island by 4 and 3. The bottom match of A. Constantine against U. O’Reilly was halved.
Gavin Moynihan won the Irish Open Championship at the Royal Dublin Golf Club on 13th May 2012 beating Dutch International Robin Kind by one shot in wind swept conditions showing composure and maturity way beyond his tender age of 17-years. Gavin had shown he is one for the future, having become the first Irish player to lift the prestigious Peter McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath on 19th with a splendid score of 275 to win by 5-shots.
The Ladies of The Island Golf Club won the East-Leinster Final of the AA Insurance Senior Foursomes and played in National deciders at Royal Tara Golf Club in 2009, where they met Connaught Champions Enniscrone Golf Club in the All-Ireland quarter-Final. First on the tee was Gertie McMullen (5) with Eileen Lowe (5) who lost their match against Sarah Helly (4) with Joan Ruane (14) by 5 and 3, they were followed by Geraldine Ryan (7) with Miriam Garland (7) who also lost their match by 4 and 3 against Frances Bourke (9) & Dolores Tuohy (12), the bottom match of Angie Dwyer (5) & Mary Dinan (10) was halved against Rita McGoldrick (9) & Alice Higgins (13).
The Island Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Club Youths' in 2007, and made the journey down the road to Malahide Golf Club on Tuesday 21st August to participate in the All-Ireland decider.
They met Ulster Champions, Donaghadee Golf Club, Munster Champions, Castletroy Golf Club and Connacht Champions Claremorris in the All-Ireland Final.
They finished second to Donaghadee who had a score of 296, The Island 302, Castletroy 311 and Claremorris 313.
The Team on the day was David Weldon, James Monaghan, Simon Arthur and Conor Whyte.
The Island Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Fred Daly on Tuesday 1st August 2006 at Balbriggan Golf Club. They beat a good Rosslare team in the quarter-final by 4 matches to 1 and then The Royal Dublin in the afternoon by 3 matches to 2 matches, at Killerig Golf Club on Friday 7th July.
They played the near neighbours Mallahide in the Leinster Final and had a comfortable 4 matches to 1 match to secure the Leinster Title.
It was back to Balbriggan on 28th August for the All-Ireland Finals. They were drawn against Connacht Champions Athenry in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals and had a comfortable 5 matches to 2 matches win over the boys’ from Galway. First on the tee was James Monaghan who lost to Andrew Trill by a single-hole. He was followed by Simon Arthur who had a 6 and 5 win over Patrick Neville. Next up was David Weldon who beat Cillian Broder by 5 and 4. Conor Whyte halved his match with Sean Coyne. Then Eoghan Buckley beat Ronan Everiss by 3 and 2. The penultimate match was halved between Robert Hutton and Barry O’Brien. The final match saw Darragh Rogers beat Hubert Newell by 5 and 4.
They met Ulster Champions Belvoir Park in the afternoon All-Ireland Final, where things didn’t go quite so well for them. First up again was James Monaghan who lost to David Carvill by 2 and 1, Simon Arthur beat Ross McConnell by 2 and 1. He was followed by David Weldon who lost to Jonathan Graham by a single-hole. Conor Whyte had a night-mare against Youseff Hassay losing out at the 13th-hole, Eoghan Buckley secured the second point when he beat Grant Lewis by 2 and 1. Robert Hutton lost to David Elliott by 2-holes and Darragh Rogers lost to Ryan McLarnon by 3 and 2.
The Island Golf Club won the All-Ireland Junior Foursomes at Balbriggan Golf Club on 29th August 2006, having come through Leinster, they were drawn against Munster Champions Castletroy Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Final.
First on the tee were James Monaghan with Darragh Rodgers against Brendan Reidy with Jack Molyneaux, they had a comfortable 5-holes win over the Limerick pair. They were followed by Simon Arthur with David Weldon against John Kavanagh with John O’Dwyer who recorded a 1-hole win, giving The Island a 6-hole victory and a place in the All-Ireland Final in the afternoon.
They met Ulster Champions Fortwilliam Golf Club in the final, having beaten Connaught Champions Portumna by 2-holes in their Semi-Final.
The manager kept the same format and James Monaghan with Darragh Rodgers had a 2-hole win over Conor McLarnon with Mark Fitzgerald, Simon Arthur with David Weldon lost to Chris Crangle with Eoin McComb. With the match all-square the final was not decided until the 20th-hole.
The Island won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup in 2006 when they beat Elm Park Golf Club by 3 and half matches to 1 and half matches at Royal Tara Golf Club on Sunday 20th August.
It was on to Enniscrone on Friday 15th of September to participate in the All-Ireland Finals. They were drawn against Connacht Champions Galway in the All-Ireland Semi-Final.
Young David Rawluk was first on the tee against Joe Lyons who had a bad day going down by 5 and 4 to the man from the west. Next up was The Islands number-one, Eoin O’Sullivan who went down to Eddie McCormack by a salutatory hole. Declan Moran was next on the tee against David Scully whose match finished on the 17th. Robert McCarthy was pitched against Stephen Keenan who recorded a halve. The final match say Andrew Pitcher record a very convincing win over Galway’s anchor man Tom Nolan with a 6 and 5 victory.
Congrats to The Island on wining the Leinster Final and doing so well against the eventual winners of the All-Ireland. We look forward to seeing this Club back seeking another Green Pennant in the near future, as I am reliably informed that this north Dublin club has a wonderful youth program in place.
The Island Golf Club completed a wonderful year in golf when they captured the Jimmy Bruen Shield for the second time in three years. As Leinster Champions they were drawn against Ulster Champions Mannan Castle in the All-Ireland Semi-Final at Rosslare Golf Club on Friday 16th September 2005.
Joe Cuffe & & Stephen Rodgers were first out in the afternoon against Tony Donagher & Frank Kelly and had a 3 and 1 victory from the Ulster men. They were followed by Denis Gaffney & Barry Hughes, who halved their match against Seamus Finnegan & Shane Donahue. Next up were Anthony Sheridan & Ian McCormack against Shane Corr & Noel Gartlan who won their match by 2 and 1. Gerry Dowdall & David Weldon where next on the tee against Barry McCourt & Danny Carr and recorded another 2 and 1 victory. The bottom match say Noel Rogers & Conor Whyte pitched against Rory Fitzhenry & Brendan McMahon who recorded another halve to give the Island a 4 matches to 1 match victory.
Having overcome the Ulster Champions they met Munster Champions Ballybunion Golf Club the following morning when they had a comfortable 4 matches to 1 match victory to become 2005 Jimmy Bruen Champions.
The first match say Joe Cuffe & Stephen Rodgers against Brendan McKeon & Eoin O’Shaughnessy, they had a very comfortable 5 and 4 win. The 2nd match saw Denis Gaffney & Barry Hughes record a crushing 6 and 5 win against Edward Stack & Dominic Moriarty. They were followed by Anthony Sheridan & Ian McCormack who halved their match against Johnathan Murphy & Kieran Kennelly. Next on the tee were Gerry Dowdall & David Weldon, who recorded the crucial halve against Mark Dilger & Des O’Donnell. The bottom match saw Noel Rodgers & Conor Whyte win their match by 4 and 2 against Didgie O’Connor & David Mulvihill. They were captained by Liam Delaney and managed by Paul Cullen.
I was in Galway for the speech by Lorcan Redmond (ex Dublin Football great and captain of the Island Golf Club in 2002) lament that it had been 1983 since this famous club last won a green pennant. Little did he or I know that they would be back only 3-years latter to win the "Bruen" again, I hope my son Shane who is the assistant profession at The Island had a little part to play in it. Indeed he would have known the Rodgers for a long time as he came up against them in schools’ golf.
The squad was David Weldon, Denis Gaffney, James Cullen, Jack Carney, Ian McCormack, Declan Reilly, Anthony Sheridan, Stephen Rodgers, Gerry Dowdall, Barry Hughes, Willie O’Rourke, Noel Rogers, Conor Whyte and Dan Sutton.
The Island Golf Club won the Leinster Championship of the Irish Club Youths Championship in 2005. The All-Ireland deciders were played at Kilkeel Golf Club, in this three man team event where they compete off scratch with two cards to count.
They won the All-Ireland Irish Club Youths' green pennant with a fine score of 296 having 8-shots to spare over their nearest rivals Munster Champions Limerick Golf Club.
James Monaghan returned rounds of 77 and 74, Andrew Pitcher shot rounds of 73 and 78 while David Rawluk returned rounds of 74 and 75.
Eoin O'Sullivan was selected on the Leinster team for the Interprovincial Matches played at Portmarnock Golf Club from 11th to 13th August 2004.
Rachel Cassidy was selected on the Leinster ILGU Team for the Interprovincial's. played at Ballybunion Golf Club from 18th to 20th August 2004.
The Island won the Leinster and All-Ireland Fred Daly Trophy in 2003, when the team was Mark Smyth, Anthony Pitcher, Neil Tobin, David Rawluk, Brendan Walton, Ronan O'Connor, they were managed by Willie O'Rourke.
The Island Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Jimmy Bruen Shield at Tullamore when they beat Borris Golf Club in 2002 and were drawn against Ulster Champions Warrenpoint in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals at Galway Golf Club on September 6th. They beat Warrenpoint by 3 matches to 2 matches and came up against Connaught Champions in the All-Ireland Final whom they beat comfortably on the Saturday. The team was Eddie Meaney, Caoimhin Quigley, Niall Tobin, Conor Ryan, Andrew Pitcher, Brendan Walton, Joe Cuffe, Gerry Dowdall, Noel Rogers, Tom Boland, Paul Cullen, Ciaran McGuinness, and Denis Gaffney. The team on the day was Niall Tobin with Andrew Pitcher who won by 1-hole, Paul Cullen with Denis Gaffney who won 3 and 2, Tom Boland with Joe Cuff won 2 and 1, Gerry Dowdall with Eddie Meaney halved, Brendan Walton (15 year old son of Ryder Cup hero Philip) and young Noel Rogers halved their match. They were, managed by Don Sutton.
The Island won the Leinster Final of the Junior Foursomes and, were drawn against Ulster Champions Killymoon Golf Club in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals at Roscrea Golf Club on August 19th 2002. The team was Brendan Walton with Mark Smith and Andrew Pitcher with Nial Tobin, they won the semi-final and met Connacht Champions Claremorris in the final when they lost the National Final by 3-holes.
They won the Fingal Seniors in 2003 when the team was, P. J. Connaughton, Dave Stobie, Liam Dockrell, Nicky Lundberg, Ned Meehan, Dennis Ryan, Pat Mahon, Jim Higgins, Brian Quinn, David Evans, Noel O'Brien, John Kane, Alex Dowling, Christy McCarthy, John Cullen and Des McManus.
They won the Fingal Trophy in 2003 when the team was J. Kearney, M. Smyth, N. Tobin, C. White, D. Weldon, B. Walton, J. Cullen, K. Gregory, A. Pitcher, they were managed by Donal Quigley and Willie O'Rourke.
David Rawluk was selected on the Irish Boy's team for the Home Internationals at Blairgowrie, Scotland in early August 2002 and the Irish Boys team to play at Rejkjavik, Iceland on July 9th 2002. David also played for the Leinster Boys' in the Interprovincial Championships at Headfort Golf Club from August 28-30.
Robert McCarthy was selected on the Irish Youths team that played in Gdansk, Poland on July 9th 2002.
Lady Captain Terry McDonnell, Captain Lorcan Redmond and Vice-Captain H. Kelleher, qualified for the National Finals of the Mercedes-Benz Irish Independent Executive Golf Classic at The K Club on August 12th 2002.
The Island won the Leinster Section of the Fred Daly Trophy in 2001 when the team was Tony Montgomery, David Rawluk, Karl Gregory, Ronan O'Connor, Robert McCarty, Andrew Pitcher, Brian Walton, they were managed by Willie O'Rourke and Frank Devine.
They won the Uden Cup in 2001, when the team was, H. Duffy, D. Sutton, G. Collins, J. Sheridan, D. O'Meara, G. O'Connor, T. Kelleher, D. Kane, J. Flynn, L. Riley, E. Nolan, F. Meenaghan, G. Dowdall, S. Hayes, D. Gaffney, S. Butler, P. McGee, A. Cullen, D. Foley, S. Cassidy, P. Kane and they were managed by T. Boland.
They won the McDonnell Cup in 2001, when the team was, C. Boland, K. O'Rourke, D. Rawluk, D. O'Boyle, D. Sutton, B. Carney, N. Ryan, B. Martin, G. Dinan, D. O'Dwyer, B. Cassidy, N. Quinn, F. Leahy, J. Granahaghan, A. R. McCarthy, H. O'Donoghue, H. Caldwell, D. Evens and they were managed by J. Cauldwell. Robert McCarthy and David Rawluk were selected on the Irish Boys' team for the Home Internationals at Moortown, Leeds in August 2001.
The Islands Ladies team won the Townsend Cup, when they beat Headfort on the 27th October 2001. The team was Pamela Murphy with Miriam Gartland, Geraldine Ryan with Gertie McMullan and Angle Dwyer with Mary Dinan.
Prior to 2001:
The Island Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup at Royal Co. Down G. C. in 1983, when the team was Tony Smith, Shay Keenan, Bernard Rodgers, Brendan Moore, Kevin Rodgers, Seamus Rodgers, George Smillie and Ray Kane.
The Island won the All-Ireland Irish Senior Cup at Co. Sligo G. C. in 1967, when the team was Brendan Moore, Dermot Horish, Brendan Rodgers, Raymond Kane, Peter Kane and Liam Rodgers.
The Island won the All-Ireland Junior Foursomes in 1994, when the team was, M. Sutton, John Rodgers, Greg Rodgers, Mel Flanagan, Stephen Rodgers and D. Flood. They were managed by C. O'Sullivan and Willie O'Rourke.
The Island won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup in 1978, when the team was, L. Rodgers, R. Kane, B. Rodgers, K. Rodgers, Alan Walton and B. Moore. .
They won the Leinster Final of the Irish Junior Foursomes in 1985, when the team was John Grant, Robert McEvoy, Michael Henry and Garry Guinness, they were managed by Des McManus.
The Island won the Metropolitan Cup in 1995, when the team was M. Sutton, A. Kennedy. R. Keane, T. McLoughlin, P. Conlon, N. Rodgers, J. Healy, T. Sheridan, K. Montgomery, J. McEvoy, G. Marks, P. Blake, M. Cronin, they were managed by J. Cuffe and L. Hickey.
They won it prior to that in 1978, when the team was, S. Sludds, K. Sludds, J. Smith, F. O'Brien, D. Fitzgerald, W. Heather, J. Murnane, T. Conway, A. Swan, B. Walsh, D. Rushe, W. Donnelly, L. Harrison and D. McNally, they were selected by D. McManus and B. Mooney.
Congratulations to the under-15 boys of The Island who won the Leinster inter-clubs at Hollystown Golf Club in November 2000, when they overcame Hazel Grove, convincingly. The team was Brendan Walton, Conor Ryan, Ronan O'Connor, Stephen Gallagher and David Rawluk.
The Juniors' won the Fingal Team Trophy in 2000, when the team was Brendan Walton, Ronan O'Connor, Tony Montgomery, Caoimhin Quigley, Stephen Gallagher, John Coughlan, David Rawluk, Daniel Barnes, they were managed by Frank Devine and Willie O'Rourke.
They won the Leinster Under-15 Inter Club Match Play in 2000, when the team was Brendan Walton, Ronan O'Connor, Neil Tobin, Conor Ryan, Stephen Gallagher, John Coughlan, David Rawluk and they were managed by Frank Devine and Willie O'Rourke.
They won the Uden Cup in 1991, when the team was P. Kane, B. Browne, P. Cullen, K. McGuinness, P. Conlon, P. McGee, M. Kelly, J. Doherty, J. Cuffe, J. Sullivan, R. Stobie, M. Venables, N. Rodgers, F. Devine, H. Kelleher, F. Meenaghan, they were managed by J. Fitzpatrick and J. McEvoy.
They won it the previous year with, Paul Cullen, Brendan Slevin, Don Sutton, Paul Conlon, Pat McGee, Patsy Reilly, Frank Meenehan, Noel Lane, Jerry Crowley, Declan Reilly, Bobby Brown, Pat Kane, John Kelly, they were managed by Seamus Rodgers.
Members who played representative golf for Country or Province;
R. M. Kane represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1965 to 1879 playing 60-times won 24-matches halved five and lost 31-matches accumulating 53-points;
Martin Sludds represented Ireland as a Senior International in 1982 playing 12-times won 4-matches halved two and lost 6-matches accumulating 10-points. He represented Ireland at international Youths level in 1980 playing 4-matches, won 1-match halved one and lost 1-match accumulating 2-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1981 to 1982 playing 12-times won 7-matches and lost 5-matches accumulating 14-points;
Robert McCarthy represented Ireland at international Youths level in 2002 playing 3-matches, won 2-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 4-points. He represented Ireland at Irish Boys level in 2001 playing 9-times won 3-matches halved three and lost 3-matches accumulating 9-points;
B. O’Conner represented Ireland at Irish Boys level in 2002 playing 5-times won 1-match and lost 4-matches accumulating 2-points;
Eoin O’Sullivan represented Ireland at Irish Boys level in 1993 playing 4-times won 2-matches and lost 2-matchs accumulating 9-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 2001 to 2005 playing 21-times won 11-matches halved three and lost 7-matches accumulating 25-points;
A. Pitcher represented Ireland at Irish Boys level in 2004 playing 4-times won 1-match halved one and lost 2-matchES accumulating 3-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 2006 to 2007 playing 8-times won 1-match halved two and lost 5-matches accumulating 4-points;
David Rawluk represented Ireland at Irish Boys level from 2001 to 2003 playing 21-times won 10-matches halved five and lost 6-matches accumulating 25-points. He represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 2005 playing 5-times won 1-match and lost 4-matches accumulating 2-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 2005 playing 5-times won 3-matches and lost 2-matches accumulating 6-points;
J. Grant represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1992 playing 6-times won 3-matches and lost 3-matches accumulating 6-points;
P. Kane represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1963 playing 2-times won 1-match and lost 1-match accumulating 2-points;
Robert McCarthy represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 2002 to 2003 playing 9-times won 2-matches halved one and lost 6-matches accumulating 5-points;
James Monaghan represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 2009 playing 4-times won 4-matche and lost 0-matches accumulating 8-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 2009 playing 6-times won 3-matches halved one and lost 2-matches accumulating 7-points. He represented Leinster at Boys Interprovincial level from 2005 to 2006 playing 8-times won 4-matches halved one and lost 3-matches accumulating 9-points;
B. Moore represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1977 to 1979 playing 14-times won 7-matches halved one and lost 6-matches accumulating 15-points;
B. Rodgers represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level from 1977 to 1979 playing 13-times won 5-matches halved two and lost 6-matches accumulating 12-points. He represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1963 to 1965 playing 6-times;
A. Smith represented Leinster at Senior Interprovincial level in 1985 playing 1-time won 0-matches and lost 1-match accumulating 0-points;
B. Byrne represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 1985 playing 4-times won 1-match and lost 3-matches accumulating 2-points;
J. Grant represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 1989 playing 7-times won 0-matches and lost 5-matches accumulating 0-points;
R. Kane represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1962 to 1964 playing 6-times;
L. Rogers represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 1965 playing 2-times;
M. Sheridan represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial from 1986 to 1987 playing 12-times won 6-matches and lost 6-matches accumulating 12-points;
Brendan Walton represented Leinster as a Youth Interprovincial in 2008 playing 6-times won 2-matches halved one and lost 3-matches accumulating 5-points. He represented Leinster at Boys Interprovincial level in 2004 playing 6-times won 2-matches and lost 4-matches accumulating 4-points;
Patrick Devine represented Leinster at Boys Interprovincial level in 1997 playing 6-times won 3-matches halved one and lost 2-matches accumulating 7-points;
Ronan O’Connor represented Leinster at Boys Interprovincial level in 2003 playing 5-times won 1-match and lost 4-matches accumulating 2-points;
Niall Foley represented Leinster in the inaugural Boys under-15 Interprovincial Championships in 2010 playing 3-times won 1-match halved one and lost 1-match accumulating 3-points;
Paul McBride represented Leinster in the inaugural Boys under-15 Interprovincial Championships in 2010 playing 3-times won 3-matches and lost 0-matches accumulating 6-points;
Mel Flanagan represented Connacht at Senior Interprovincial level from 1996 to 1997 playing 8-times won 2-matches halved three and lost 3-matches accumulating 7-points. He represented Connacht as a Youth Interprovincial from 1995 to 1998 playing 19-times won 4-matches halved three and lost 12-matches accumulating 11-points;
B. Moore represented Munster as a Senior Interprovincial from 1977 to 1979 playing 14-times won 7-matches halved one and lost 6-matches accumulating 15-points;
Aideen Rogers was selected to represent Ireland in the European Ladies Team Championship at Royal Haagsche, Holland in 1993 and the European Ladies Junior Championship at Shannon Golf Club in 1990, at Saint Nom La Breteche, France in 1992 and at the Colony Golf Club, Vienna in 1994. She played for Ireland in the Girls' Home Internationals in 1989, and at Penrith Golf Club in 1990 and at Whitechurch Golf Club in 1991. She won the European Championship in 1993 and represented Ireland in 1992 and 1993. She won the Irish Girls Close Championship in1989 and 1991. Aideen is now on the Ladies Professional Tour;
Miss Moira Cassidy played Irish Girls in1978 and won the Stroke Play Foursomes together with Miss Mairead Mullins of Woodbrook in 1987;
Pamela Murphy was selected to represent Ireland in the European Ladies Junior Championship at Nairn Golf Club, Scotland, in 1996 and at Oslo Golf Club, Norway in 1998. She won the Irish Girls Championship fo the 4th time at Tullamore G. C., in 1999, and Captained the Irish Girls team at Mullingar G. C. in the Girls' Home Internationals 1998 and played at Forfar Golf Club in 1997 and Formby Ladies Golf Club in 1996 at Northop Golf Club in 1995 and at Gog Nagog Golf Club in 1994;
Maurice O'Meara (9) teamed up with his mother Mary, the 1997 Lady Captain at Balbriggan Golf Club, in the final regional qualifiers of the Spar-Irish Independent Mixed Pairs Challenge at Westmanstown Golf Club in early August 2001. They returned 56 points to give them the runners-up position. They went on to compete in the National Finals at Adare Manor Golf & Country Club on the 25th of August;
History of The Island
Instituted 1891 affiliated 1901
Mystery surrounds the origins of golf in the Island. What is known is that it was only reachable by boat. Indeed, I have meet people who remember crossing from Malahide.
It appears the following ten men were responsible for the Island coming into being. They were James R. Bristowe, J. R. Law, J. R. Blood, J. H. Barrington, T. Stewart, H. J. Daly, Daniel Martin Wilson, W. S. Hayes, Godfrey Fergusson and David T. Moore. Sunday golf was not permitted at the Royal Dublin and the above group decided the best way around this was to form another club and be able to play their golf on the Sabbath.
The club was run by these "members", who acted as a permanent committee, all others were associate members. This situation was reversed in 1952, when a committee was elected by the associate members, who became full members. The first President was Lord Talbot De Malahide, the Captain, Norman Chance, and Hon. Secretary George Watson. Since then the links have been changed to make it into one of the very best link courses in the country. A new clubhouse was opened in 1998.
What the Club tells us:
The Island Golf Club was founded in 1890 thus making it one of the oldest golf courses in Ireland. Besides being one the first twelve golf clubs founded in Ireland, it is the third oldest in Dublin and predates Portmarnock Golf Club by four years. The club was unique in that it had no military connection and was initiated as a private proprietary club. The ten founder members, known as the “Syndicate”, only permitted others to join the club on an annual basis as annual ticket holders. Most of the members of the “Syndicate” were already members of The Royal Dublin Golf Club which was founded in 1885. However, The Royal Dublin Golf Club forbade golf on Sundays and this rule was not to the liking of members of the “Syndicate”.
“In September 1887 four men rowed across the channel which separates the North Dublin village of Malahide from the spur of land to the north known locally as the Island. Their mission was to survey the wilderness and assess its suitably as a golf links.”
The visionary boat journey is thus described in the history of the club “A Century of Golf on the Island”. Besides referring to one hundred years of golf played on the links between 1890 and 1990, the “Century” part of the title also alludes to the cricketing term for “one hundred not out” to draw attention to a cricket match in which the legendary English cricketer W.G. Grace played in the early 1900s on the present eleventh hole, now known as “Cricket Field”. Incidentally, W.G. was allegedly bowled for a “duck” which is a cricketing term for “no score”!
Once the “Syndicate” had negotiated a lease of the land with the Cobbe Estate, a local landowner was engaged to mow the fairways and greens with a scythe in preparation for a mowing machine. The early course, comprising eighteen individual holes, was laid out generously in terms of land as the founder members, precluded from any serious earth-moving, followed the valleys between the sand hills. The course has altered several times since that time, however, to become the championship course of today.
The original clubhouse, a quaint wooden pavilion, was situated at the far end of the links and overlooked the Malahide estuary. It was abandoned when the boat service to and from the links was discontinued in 1973. The present clubhouse dates from this time and is sufficiently well-appointed to host major amateur tournaments as well as meeting the needs of the members and the many visitors who come to enjoy the links.
The Founders or the “Syndicate”
The founder members numbered ten in total and were collectively known as the “Syndicate”. They were John Redmond Blood, David Francis Moore, James J. Law, James Rippingham Bristow, Henry J. Daly, William Samuel Hayes, James Henry Barrington, Godfrey Ferguson, Thomas Stewart and Daniel Martin Wilson.
Law, Bristow and Ferguson were from Belfast and came to Dublin to work for the Northern Bank. Stewart hailed from Derry and was a barrister. Wilson, born in Limerick, was also a barrister; he was later to become Chief Justice and stood for election to the Westminster Parliament. The remaining founders members were from Dublin. As members of the original “Syndicate” passed on, others replaced them and the practice of a “Syndicate” running the club survived until the early 1950s.
The Boat
Painted in 1972 by Tony McCarthy, artist and member of The Island Golf Club
As its title suggests, the last leg of the journey to play golf at The Island was by boat and there are many stories about the boat, the boatmen, the order of embarkation and the priority thereof. When the boat took a party of golfers to The Island, they were entirely dependent on the boat for the return journey. Often it happened that the weather conditions deteriorated while the golfers were “out” and they had no option but to return home through Swords. While this is the common means of travel today, it was a huge journey in the early part of the twentieth century.
The signal to the boatman on the far side of the estuary to collect golfers from the links was to open a large red and white disc on the side of the pavilion. The disc was hinged in the centre and could be seen from the shore by the boatman. When the disc was in the closed position it was green in colour and blended in with the wall of the pavilion.
Annual Membership
Male annual ticket holders were admitted in 1896 and lady ticket holders were admitted the following year. Lionel Munn (attached to North West Golf Club) and Francis Jameson (attached to The Royal Dublin Golf Club) were both annual ticket holders when they each won the Irish Close Championship in the early part of the last century.
Munn and Jameson were followed by the great lady golfers of The Island namely Mabel Harrison, Janet Jackson and Patricia Jameson. Mabel Harrison won the Ladies’ Close Championship in 1910, 1911 and 1912, followed by Janet Jackson in 1913, 1914, 1919, 1920, 1923 and 1925. Janet Jackson’s successful run was only interrupted by the Great War and, following her last victory in 1925, Patricia Jameson won the title in 1926. Mrs J.B. Walker was the next Island lady to win the Championship and she went on to play in the first ever Curtis Cup.
Modern Times
The modern era of The Island Golf Club was shaped in 1952 when the “Syndicate” of the day handed over its entire interest in the club to the existing annual ticket holders who now became the new members of The Island Golf Club.
Since the hand-over by the “Syndicate”, golfing at The Island has progressed, through increasing membership numbers, entering inter-club competitions, redesigning the links, and the continuous improvement of club facilities. The club has hosted the Irish Ladies’ Close Championship (1990), the Irish Close Championship (1997) and the Irish PGA (1999). Other Men’s and Ladies’ provincial, inter-provincial and international competitions have also been played on the links and all who have taken part have been generous in their praise of the links.
British Prime Minister’s secret visit to The Island ends in tragedy
Andrew Bonar Law (1858 to 1923) was elected leader of the Conservative Unionist Party in England in 1911. The Canadian-born son of a Scottish Clergyman, he played a pivotal role in Llyod George’s First World War cabinet and was elected Prime Minister of Britain in 1922.
Bonar Law’s connections with The Island first surfaced on Saturday, 17th May 1913, when he played the links accompanied by Lord Glenavy (J.H.Campbell MP) who later served as Lord Chief Justice from 1916 to 1918.
Also on the links that summer’s morning was The Very Reverend Reginald Godfrey Michael Webster, Dean of The Chapel Royal, Malahide, who was playing a match against the Honorary Secretary of the club, Mr J.R. Blood.
The “Syndicate” at that time had close ties with the British Army and often held social functions in the pavilion to raise funds for the many Irish-born soldiers injured during the Great War.
With political tensions high in Ireland between Britain and Irish Republicans during the early part of the 20th Century, and with genuine fears for his safety, Bonar Law’s visit was shrouded in secrecy.
However, during the course of his match against Mr Blood, played in benign conditions over a much different links than today, The Very Reverend Webster became ill. Despite efforts to revive him, he died on the eighth tee. Word spread quickly throughout the nearby village of Malahide that Dean Webster had died on The Island and that Bonar Law and Lord Glenavy were also on the links. The Royal Irish Constabulary arrived at the scene and Dean Webster’s remains were transported to Blood’s house at Ballykilty, Malahide.
The story was carried on the front page of The Irish Times the next day and read as follows:
“Saturday was a particularly fine day and a large number of golfers were here and there on the links-among them being the Unionist leader, Mr.Bonar Law MP and Mr.J.H.Campbell MP.
The Coroner for North Dublin, Christopher Friery was communicated with. It happened that he had just left his house in Dublin for Raheny. Some of the party then drove in Mr.D.M. Wilson’s motor car to Raheny, and the motor car was placed at the disposal of the coroner.
Mr.Friery returned in the motor car to Dublin for the necessary papers and was on The Island links before 5 o’clock-two hours after Dean Webster’s death.”
Bonar Law, who died six years later, remains the only British Prime Minister to have visited The Island.
The legacy that Dean Webster left The Island is in the shape of a splendid silver trophy, commissioned in his memory by the “Syndicate” shortly after his untimely death. Each year “The Webster Cup”, a keenly contested singles competition, signals the start of the Men’s golfing season and serves as yet another reminder of the fascinating history of The Island Golf Club.
Roll of Honour
Member | Year | Hon. Position |
L. McKee | 1990 | Ladies Captain |
S. A. Craig | 1990 | Men's Captain |
D. P. McManus | 1990 | President |
I. Poynton | 1991 | Ladies Captain |
T. G. McCarthy | 1991 | Men's Captain |
M. C. Henry | 1991 | President |
M. McNamara | 1992 | Ladies Captain |
Michael Venables | 1992 | Men's Captain |
M. C. Henry | 1992 | President |
M. Cahill | 1993 | Ladies Captain |
Willie Leggett | 1993 | Men's Captain |
M. C. Henry | 1993 | President |
S. McShane | 1994 | Ladies Captain |
Eamonn Lee | 1994 | Men's Captain |
L. Hickey | 1994 | President |
M. Reddington | 1995 | Ladies Captain |
Celsus Brennan | 1995 | Men's Captain |
L. Hickey | 1995 | President |
S. Lonergan | 1996 | Ladies Captain |
Frank J. Walshe | 1996 | Men's Captain |
J. M. McBride | 1996 | President |
P. Dowdall | 1997 | Ladies Captain |
Pat Dooley | 1997 | Men's Captain |
J. M. McBride | 1997 | President |
D. Nolan | 1998 | Ladies Captain |
D. H. McSweeney | 1998 | Men's Captain |
D. O'Meara | 1998 | President |
M. O'Reilly | 1999 | Ladies Captain |
M. J. Geoghegan | 1999 | Men's Captain |
D. O'Meara | 1999 | President |
Angie Dwyer | 2000 | Ladies Captain |
D. G. B. Evans | 2000 | Men's Captain |
E. Henderson | 2000 | President |
Marie Keogh | 2001 | Ladies Captain |
John Doherty | 2001 | Men's Captain |
E. Henderson | 2001 | President |
Teri McDonnell | 2002 | Ladies Captain |
Lorcan Redmond | 2002 | Men's Captain |
S. O'Neill | 2002 | President |
Maureen Griffin | 2003 | Ladies Captain |
Humphrey Kelleher | 2003 | Men's Captain |
Seamus O'Neill | 2003 | President |
Mary Romeri | 2004 | Ladies Captain |
Aidan Kennedy | 2004 | Men's Captain |
Eddie McDonnell | 2004 | President |
Stephanie Mooney | 2005 | Ladies Captain |
Liam Delaney | 2005 | Men's Captain |
Eddie McDonnell | 2005 | President |
Mary Quinn | 2006 | Ladies Captain |
Des Parkinson | 2006 | Men's Captain |
Dave McSwiggan | 2006 | President |
2007 | Ladies Captain | |
Denis McFerran | 2007 | Men's Captain |
Dave McSwiggan | 2007 | President |
Fionna Taylor | 2008 | Ladies Captain |
Henry Collier | 2008 | Men's Captain |
Mick Murphy | 2008 | President |
Rose Terry | 2009 | Ladies Captain |
Donal Boyle | 2009 | Men's Captain |
Mick Murphy | 2009 | President |
Nuala Delany | 2010 | Ladies Captain |
Donal O’Meara | 2010 | Men's Captain |
John Campion | 2010 | President |
Miriam Gartland | 2011 | Ladies Captain |
Fred Plunkett | 2011 | Men's Captain |
John Campion | 2011 | President |
Carmel Linnane | 2012 | Ladies Captain |
Tony Bell | 2012 | Men's Captain |
Henry Collier | 2012 | President |
Eithne Knight | 2013 | Ladies Captain |
Christy Bollard | 2013 | Men's Captain |
Henry Collier | 2013 | President |
Pauline Evans | 2014 | Ladies Captain |
Paul Corkery | 2014 | Men's Captain |
Louis Harkin | 2014 | President |
Stella Geraghty |
2015 | Ladies Captain |
Eugene Reilly | 2015 | Men's Captain |
Louis Harkin |
2015 | President |
Gail Sinclair | 2016 | Ladies Captain |
George Hurley | 2016 | Men's Captain |
David Evans |
2016 | President |
Mary Cunneen | 2017 | Ladies Captain |
Fergus Duddy | 2017 | Men's Captain |
David Evans | 2017 | President |
Carmel O’Brien | 2018 | Ladies Captain |
Denis Gaffney | 2018 | Men's Captain |
Mary Quinn | 2018 | President |
Brid McGee | 2019 | Ladies Captain |
Michael l Kearne | 2019 | Men's Captain |
Mary Quinn | 2019 | President |
Darina Flynn | 2020 | Ladies Captain |
Paul Goti | 2020 | Men's Captain |
Daniel Rawluk | 2020 | President |
Darina Flynn |
2021 | Ladies Captain |
Paul Goti |
2021 | Men's Captain |
Daniel Rawluk |
2021 | President |
James Stenson | 2021 | Junior Captain |
Ann Short |
2022 | Ladies Captain |
Finbar Gaffney | 2022 | Men's Captain |
Eugene Reilly | 2022 | President |
2022 | Junior Captain | |
Noelle Hurley | 2023 | Ladies Captain |
Stephen Craig | 2023 | Men's Captain |
Eugene Reilly |
2023 | President |
2023 | Junior Captain | |
2024 | Ladies Captain | |
2024 | Men's Captain | |
2024 | President | |
2024 | Junior Captain | |
Gillian O'Leary | 2024 | Lowest Ladies Handicap |
Lauren Walsh |
2024 | Lowest Ladies Handicap |
Alice Spani-Molella (0) | 2024 | Lowest Ladies Handicap |
Gertie McMullen (1) | 2024 | Lowest Ladies Handicap |
Joyce Gillespie Mahon (7) | 2024 | Lowest Ladies Handicap |
Gavin Moynihan (-4) turned Pro |
2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Eoin O’Sullivan | 2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Kevin Le Blanc (-2) |
2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Rhys Clarke (-1.6) |
2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Jack Blake (-1.1) | 2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Conor Murtagh | 2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Sean Dowling | 2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Alex Crowley (0.3) |
2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Fergal Kennedy (-0.4) |
2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Joseph Hanney (0.9) | 2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Jonathan Quinn (1.4) |
2024 | Lowest Men's Handicap |
Holes in One at The Island
Member | Date | Hole No. | Club Used | Distance |
Joe Walton | 9th | 159 m | ||
Jane Holland | 25 June 1996 | 9th | 138 m | |
Grace Ryan | 12 July 1997 | 9th | 9-Wood | 130 m |
Thomas Boland | 15 March 2000 | 16th | 137 m | |
Jim Byrne | 24 August 2001 | 9th | 165 m | |
Eddie Nolan | 19 September 2001 | 13th | 215 m | |
Denis Gaffney | 10 July 2002 | 9th | 159 m | |
Thomas Boland | 15 March 2003 | 16th | 137 m | |
Mary Reddington | 21 April 2003 | 9th | 130 m | |
Gavin Smith | 26 April 2003 | 13th | 195 m | |
Mark Irwin | 15 August 2007 | 13th | 225 m | |
Maurice Whyms | 9 July 2022 | |||
Colin Delaney | 14 August 2022 | |||
Gerard Nugent | 28 August 2022 | |||
Katen McAllister | 1 August 2023 | 4th | 6-iron | 143 yd's |