Fota Island
A wooded island in Cork Harbour, a resort built for golf, and a championship parkland with real tournament pedigree. Christy O'Connor Jr and Peter McEvoy laid out the Deerpark course in 1993, Jeff Howes revised it in 2000, and it went on to host three Irish Opens. A par 71 of roughly 6,900 yards, it is the most polished resort golf in the southwest.
Photo: Fota Island Resort via Google.
The verdict
Fota Island is the rare Irish parkland that earns a place on a links heavy itinerary. Set on a wooded island in Cork Harbour, ringed by the wildlife park and the estuary, it offers a change of pace and scenery without dropping the standard. The championship Deerpark course was created by Christy O'Connor Jr and Peter McEvoy in 1993, then sharpened by Jeff Howes in 2000, and it carries the credibility of three Irish Opens staged here in 2001, 2002 and 2014.
What you get is mature, tree lined parkland with subtle landforms, well guarded greens and a routing that asks for position rather than brute length. As a resort it does the whole job: 27 holes across three loops, a hotel and spa on site, and easy access from Cork city and airport. For a group pairing the great southwest links with a soft day or a stay and play base, Fota Island is the obvious anchor.
Fota Island at a glance
- Opened
- 1993
- Designer
- O'Connor Jr and McEvoy; Howes revision 2000
- Type
- Parkland resort
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 6,900 yds
- Green fee
- From about 70 euros
Designer, opening year and par verified June 2026 from Fota Island Resort and leading course databases. The championship Deerpark course was designed by Christy O'Connor Jr and Peter McEvoy in 1993, revised by Jeff Howes in 2000, a par 71 of roughly 6,900 yards from the back markers, and one of three 18 hole configurations across the resort's 27 holes. Group green fees were quoted from about 70 euros per person in 2026, with individual and peak season rates higher. Fees are indicative for the 2026 season and change by season and time; always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Deerpark routing moves through mature woodland and gently rolling ground, the fairways framed by stands of oak and the greens defended by sand and water rather than by length. It is a thinking player's parkland: find the correct side of the fairway and the approach opens up, miss it and the trees and run off areas make par a grind.
Water comes into play across the middle of the round, with lakes pinching landing areas and guarding several greens, the kind of holes that decided Irish Open Sundays here. The par 3s are varied and well bunkered, and the par 5s reward a committed second for those who can carry the trouble. There is no tricked up theatre, just sound, repeatable strategic golf on excellent surfaces.
The closing stretch is where Fota earns its reputation, a run of strong, water guarded holes that ask for nerve and an accurate long game to bring it home. Played off the championship tees in a Cork breeze, it is a genuine test; played from the members markers on a still morning, it is one of the most enjoyable parkland rounds in the country.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course open to visitors; tee times booked directly or as a stay and play package with the on site hotel and spa |
| Green fee | From about 70 euros per person for groups, with individual and peak season rates higher (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book online through the resort or by phone; combine with a Cork and southwest links itinerary for the best value |
| On the day | Buggies, club and trolley hire available; the clubhouse handles meals and spa add ons |
| Getting there | On Fota Island near Carrigtwohill, about 20 to 25 minutes east of Cork city and Cork Airport |
| Best months | May to September for the warmest, driest conditions, though the parkland turf holds up well in shoulder season |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; resort rates and packages change, so always confirm directly before booking with the resort or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
The simplest plan is to stay on the island. Fota Island Resort puts a hotel, lodges and a spa within a wedge of the first tee, which makes it an ideal base for a southwest golf week and an easy sell to non golfing partners drawn by the wildlife park and the harbour setting.
For a livelier evening, Cork city is 20 minutes west with its restaurants and bars, and the resort sits within comfortable driving range of the great Cork and Kerry links, so a group can pair soft parkland days at Fota with the heavyweight links of the southwest. It is one of the best stay and play anchors in Ireland.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Fota Island.
Build a southwest Ireland golf trip
We base groups at Fota Island, secure the tee times, and pair the resort with the great Cork and Kerry links and a comfortable run of drives. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Fota Island questions
Who designed Fota Island and when did it open?
The championship Deerpark course at Fota Island was designed by Christy O'Connor Jr and Peter McEvoy and opened in 1993, then revised by Jeff Howes in 2000 ahead of the resort's Irish Open years.
What is the par and length of Fota Island?
The Deerpark championship configuration plays as a par 71 of roughly 6,900 yards from the back tees, one of three 18 hole loops across the resort's 27 holes.
Has Fota Island hosted professional tournaments?
Yes. Fota Island hosted the Irish Open in 2001, 2002 and 2014, which is the basis for its standing among Ireland's leading parkland resorts.
Can visitors play Fota Island?
Yes. Fota Island is a resort course open to visitors, with tee times booked directly or as part of a stay and play package. Indicative group green fees in 2026 start from around 70 euros, varying by season; always confirm directly before booking.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year and par verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.