Mahony's Point
For pure beauty, few courses on earth rival Mahony's Point. This lakeside parkland beside Lough Leane sits under the MacGillycuddy's Reeks in County Kerry, a par 72 of roughly 6,700 yards that closes with one of the loveliest par 3s in golf, a tee shot across the water to a green framed by pines and mountains.
Photo: Killarney Golf and Fishing Club via Google.
The verdict
There is golf, and then there is golf in Killarney. The lakeside courses of the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club enjoy what is widely held to be the most beautiful setting in Irish golf, laid out beside Lough Leane with the mountains of Kerry rising behind. The original eighteen here date to the late 1930s, when the holes were first brought down to the water's edge, and Mahony's Point still carries much of that original character.
It is a par 72 of around 6,700 yards, a gentle, mature parkland of tall trees, blazing rhododendrons and constant glimpses of the lake and the Reeks. It does not pretend to be the fiercest test in the land, and it does not need to. What it offers instead is a round of rare serenity and visual splendor that lives long in the memory, crowned by a finish that has charmed golfers for generations.
Mahony's Point at a glance
- Opened
- 1939
- Design
- Campbell · Longhurst
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- ~6,700 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Design history, par and setting verified June 2026 from Killarney Golf and Fishing Club and leading course databases. The original lakeside eighteen opened around 1939 to a design associated with Sir Guy Campbell and Henry Longhurst, and Mahony's Point is a par 72 of roughly 6,700 yards. Killarney welcomes visitors; green fees vary by season and day (indicative, 2026), so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Everything at Mahony's Point builds toward its celebrated 18th, a par 3 played along and across the shore of Lough Leane to a green ringed by pines and ablaze with rhododendrons in early summer. With the lake glinting to one side and the mountains beyond, it is regularly named among the most beautiful finishing holes in the world, and it asks for a precise, committed strike to a target that allows little room for error.
The journey to it is a pleasure in itself. The fairways wind through tall stands of timber, the lake reappears at every turn, and the parkland turf gives a soft, walkable round far removed from the rigors of the great links. Position and a steady iron game matter more than raw length, and the course rewards the player who keeps the ball in play and enjoys the view.
It is a course to be savored rather than conquered, a place where the scenery is part of the test and the experience is as much about where you are as how you score. For many visitors it is the gentle, gorgeous counterpoint to the wild dune golf elsewhere in Kerry.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A welcoming members club with three courses that takes visitors throughout the season; advance booking is recommended, especially in summer |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor green fees in the region of 90 to 150 euros depending on season and day (2026); always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve ahead through the Killarney office; combine Mahony's Point with the championship Killeen Course for a full day at the lakes |
| On the day | Smart golf dress; the parkland walks comfortably over gentle ground with buggies available, and the setting deserves an unhurried round |
| Getting there | On the edge of Killarney town in County Kerry, around twenty minutes from Kerry Airport and an easy reach of the Ring of Kerry |
| Best months | Late spring through early autumn, with the rhododendrons at their best around the 18th in May and June |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Killarney is one of Ireland's best loved tourist towns, with hotels for every taste, lively pubs and restaurants and the national park on its doorstep, all just minutes from the course.
Mahony's Point pairs naturally with the great links of the southwest, so a trip can balance its lakeside calm with the wild dune golf of Kerry and Clare for a wonderfully varied few days.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Killarney.
Build a Kerry golf trip
We arrange tee times at Killarney and across the great courses of Kerry and the southwest, pair them with the best lodging and handle the logistics. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Killarney questions
Who designed Mahony's Point at Killarney?
The lakeside golf at Killarney dates to the late 1930s, with the original eighteen laid out beside Lough Leane around 1939 to a design associated with Sir Guy Campbell and Henry Longhurst. The club later grew to thirty six holes, with Mahony's Point carrying many of the original holes.
What is the par and length of Mahony's Point?
Mahony's Point plays as a par 72 of roughly 6,700 yards of lakeside parkland beneath the mountains of County Kerry.
What is the famous hole at Mahony's Point?
The closing 18th is one of the most admired par 3s in golf, a tee shot played across the edge of Lough Leane to a green framed by pines and rhododendrons with the mountains beyond. It is regularly named among the prettiest finishing holes anywhere.
Can visitors play Killarney Golf Club?
Yes. Killarney welcomes visiting golfers across its courses. Book in advance through the club and confirm the current green fee before you travel.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Design history, par and setting verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.