Powerscourt East
Half an hour south of Dublin, on one of Ireland's great country estates, the East Course at Powerscourt is parkland golf with a backdrop few can match. Peter McEvoy, the Walker Cup captain, routed it through mature woodland and rolling estate land in 1996, framing the conical Sugar Loaf mountain at every turn. A polished, walkable championship test within easy reach of the capital.
Photo: Powerscourt Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Powerscourt is one of the finest parkland destinations within reach of Dublin, set on the historic Powerscourt Estate near Enniskerry in the Wicklow hills. The East Course, the senior of the resort's two layouts, was designed by Peter McEvoy, a distinguished amateur and Walker Cup captain, and opened in 1996. McEvoy followed the contours of the mature estate land closely, so the course feels settled into its surroundings rather than imposed on them.
It plays to a par 72 and stretches up to about 7,100 yards from the championship tees, a genuine test that has hosted national professional events, yet from the forward tees it is a thoroughly enjoyable resort round. The conditioning is consistently excellent, the routing serves up the conical Sugar Loaf mountain as a constant companion, and the estate setting, complete with views to the eighteenth century Powerscourt House, lifts it above ordinary parkland golf.
Powerscourt East at a glance
- Opened
- 1996
- Designer
- Peter McEvoy
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Up to about 7,100 yds
- Green fee
- From 70 euros
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Powerscourt Golf Club and leading course databases: Peter McEvoy, East Course opened 1996, par 72, up to about 7,100 yards from the back tees (it plays around 6,400 yards from regular tees). Indicative 2026 visitor green fees run from around 70 euros midweek to roughly 130 euros at peak weekend times. Fees change by season and day; always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The East Course is defined by its setting and its short holes. Three of the four par 3s play downhill, asking for confident, well judged iron play with the slope and the wind to factor in, and the fourth and most photographed of them, the sixteenth, plays across water to a green that demands commitment. It is the signature moment of the round and a hole that decides plenty of matches over the closing stretch.
Length and shape come from a strong set of par 4s that bend with the natural fall of the estate land. McEvoy used the mature trees as framing rather than as a gimmick, and the fairways are generous enough to swing freely while the greens, firm and true, reward an approach from the correct side. The thirteenth is a particular highlight, offering a majestic view of the historic Powerscourt House and the range of Wicklow hills rising behind it.
Throughout, the Sugar Loaf mountain sits on the horizon like a painted backdrop, and the round has a satisfying rhythm of climbs and descents that never feels strenuous. It closes near the clubhouse and the estate gardens, and most visitors pair it with the resort's West Course or a visit to the celebrated Powerscourt gardens to round out the day.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public access resort golf; visitors welcome with tee times bookable in advance |
| Green fee | From around 70 euros midweek to roughly 130 euros at peak weekend times for 18 holes (indicative, 2026); twilight and resort packages available |
| Booking | Book through the club or your trip planner; combine the East and West courses for a full day, and pair with a stay at the on site hotel |
| On the day | Walking and buggy golf; buggies, trolleys and clubs available to hire, with a full clubhouse, pro shop and practice facilities on the estate |
| Getting there | The Powerscourt Estate at Enniskerry in County Wicklow, about 30 to 40 minutes south of Dublin city and the airport |
| Best months | May to September for the best of the parkland conditioning and Wicklow weather, though the estate is a fine round in any shoulder season |
Access and fee details verified June 2026 from Powerscourt Golf Club; rates and policies change, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Powerscourt Hotel, an Autograph Collection property on the estate itself, which makes a stay and play built around the two courses and the famous gardens effortless. Enniskerry village, just below the estate, adds characterful smaller options for those who prefer to stay in the heart of the Wicklow countryside.
Because Powerscourt sits so close to the capital, it also pairs naturally with a wider Ireland golf trip taking in the great courses around Dublin and the Wicklow coast, from the links of the east to the championship parklands of the Garden of Ireland.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Powerscourt East.
Build a Wicklow golf trip
We book the tee times on both Powerscourt courses, arrange a base on the estate or near Dublin, and pair it with the best of the surrounding Wicklow and east coast golf. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Powerscourt East questions
Who designed the East Course at Powerscourt?
The East Course was designed by Peter McEvoy, the distinguished amateur golfer and Walker Cup captain, and opened in 1996. He routed it through the mature land of the historic Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow.
What is the par and length of Powerscourt East?
Powerscourt East is a par 72 that stretches up to about 7,100 yards from the championship tees and plays around 6,400 yards from the regular tees. It is a parkland course with four par 3s, ten par 4s and four par 5s.
How much does it cost to play Powerscourt East in 2026?
Indicative 2026 green fees run from around 70 euros midweek to roughly 130 euros at peak weekend times for 18 holes, with twilight and resort packages available. Rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly before booking.
What are the signature holes at Powerscourt East?
The most photographed hole is the par 3 sixteenth, which plays across water, one of three par 3s that play downhill. The thirteenth is also a highlight for its view of the historic Powerscourt House, with the Sugar Loaf mountain framed throughout the round.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, opening years, par, yardage and indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.