Bearna Golf Club
Bearna Golf Club sits in rugged country above Galway Bay, a few minutes west of Galway city on the edge of Connemara. A par 72 of about 6,820 yards designed by R.J. Browne, it threads its fairways between rock and heather with water in play on thirteen holes and commanding views to the Burren and the Aran Islands.
Photo: Bearna Golf and Country Club via Google.
The verdict
Bearna is a characterful inland test in a spectacular position. R.J. Browne routed the holes through typical Connemara terrain of rock, heather and water, so accuracy and course management count for more than raw length. The bay and mountain views are a constant distraction in the best possible way.
It is a public, welcoming club rather than a championship links, and that is its appeal. As a relaxed parkland round to balance the great links of the west coast, or as a convenient day's golf when you are based in Galway, Bearna is a genuinely enjoyable and well priced addition to a trip.
Bearna Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1996
- Designer
- R.J. Browne
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 6,820 yds
- Green fee
- From about EUR 40, indicative
Designer, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Bearna Golf Club and leading course databases. R.J. Browne designed the parkland course, a par 72 of about 6,820 yards with water in play on thirteen holes. Green fees vary by season and day; indicative 2026 rates begin around EUR 40, with the club publishing current pricing. Always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Bearna is set on a high, exposed parcel of Connemara, the fairways carved between outcrops of rock and banks of heather, which gives the course a wild, distinctive look. R.J. Browne used the natural water and the terrain to shape the strategy, so position off the tee matters far more than distance.
Water is the defining hazard, in play on thirteen of the eighteen holes, gathering the loose shot and forcing you to commit to a line. The greens are fair but the wind off Galway Bay can make club selection a negotiation, particularly on the more exposed holes near the top of the property.
All the while the views do their work, out across the bay to the limestone hills of the Burren and the low profile of the Aran Islands. It is a course to enjoy as much for its setting as its challenge, and a fine, good value counterpoint to the famous links of the west.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public club; visitors and societies welcome year round |
| Green fee | From about EUR 40, varying by season and day of week (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Online or through the golf shop; early and twilight rates often available |
| Best months | May to September for the driest conditions, though it plays year round |
| Getting there | Bearna, about 8 km west of Galway city, on the road into Connemara |
| On the day | Walking on rugged parkland terrain; buggies available; pack for Atlantic weather |
Compare and reserve times through our tee time booking partner, or let us hold the times as part of a trip.
Access and fees verified June 2026; pricing changes by season, so always confirm current rates and tee availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Galway city is the obvious base, about ten minutes east, with a lively choice of hotels, one of Ireland's best dining and pub scenes and easy access to the whole of the west coast. It makes an excellent hub for a Connemara and Galway golf trip.
For a quieter, golf focused stay, the villages along the coast toward Connemara put Bearna and the wider region on the doorstep, ideal for pairing this round with the great links at Galway Bay, Connemara and beyond.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Bearna Golf Club.
Build a Galway and Connemara golf trip
We arrange tee times at Bearna, pair it with the great links of the west and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Bearna Golf Club questions
Who designed Bearna Golf Club and what kind of course is it?
Bearna is a parkland course designed by R.J. Browne, set in rugged Connemara terrain above Galway Bay a few minutes west of Galway city.
What is the par and length of Bearna?
It is a par 72 of about 6,820 yards, with water in play on thirteen of the eighteen holes, so accuracy and course management matter more than length.
Can visitors play Bearna and what does it cost?
Yes. Bearna is a public club that welcomes visitors and societies year round. Indicative 2026 green fees start around EUR 40 and vary by season and day. Always confirm current rates before booking.
What are the views like at Bearna?
The course enjoys commanding views over Galway Bay to the limestone hills of the Burren and the Aran Islands, part of what makes the round so memorable.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.