The opening of Ballinacurra House, a magnificent private residence just outside Kinsale, means that golfers can now enjoy spectacular golf at one of Ireland’s top courses, Old Head Golf Links, whilst staying in the lap of luxury.
Set within a walled garden with 10 foot-high stone walls and 30 acres of woodland and lawns, this unique estate just 20 minutes away from Old Head offers guests a welcome retreat for golfers at the end of a challenging round of golf.
Regularly rated in the top 100 courses in the world, Old Head’s unique location on a promontory overlooking the Atlantic makes for some of the most dramatic scenery ever seen on a golf course whilst the course is offers a fantastic challenge to golfers at all levels.
The three-year renovation of Ballinacurra, originally built in 1791, reflects its colourful history of owners and residents from an old Cork family dynasty, an English colonel, a retired British counsel to a convent at one stage.
Its owners, Des and Lisa McGahan, have combined Ballinacurra’s eclectic background with influences brought from their time spent in the Far East and Australia giving the house the exotic feeling of “East meets West meets Ireland”.
The surrounding area of Cork is full of attractions and spectacular scenery. Kinsale itself, hailed as the gourmet capital of Ireland, is the jewel in the crown of the West Cork experience. It has one of Ireland’s most beautiful harbours and award-winning Irish bars and restaurants.
Ballinacurra is now available on an exclusive basis by the day or week, with tailor-made rental packages for small to larger groups. This concept offers its residents an individual private residence without forfeiting any of the luxuries of a five-star setting.
The House can accommodate up to 30 people in the 13 individually-themed en-suite bedrooms and boasts ample facilities such as bar, snug, dining room, ballroom, news room, sitting room, living room, commercial and domestic kitchens, golf club drying room, and massage facilities.
The beautiful south facing aspect includes an outdoor entertainment patio, croquet lawn, playground, helipad, picnic lawn, pond, small boat jetty, forest pagoda, and woodland walks.
Set on farmland, the 7,300-yard, par-72 Old Head was designed five years ago, primarily by Ron Kirby, one of the foremost golf course designers of the modern era. Formerly the chief architect for Jack Nicklaus‘ Golden Bear design company, he has worked on such projects as The London Club and St Mellion Golf Club in the UK and Muirfield Village and Grand Cypress in the USA. Also included in the design teams were the late Eddie Hackett, Paddy Merrigan, Dr. Joe Carr and Irish golf professional Liam Higgins.
Ballinacurra House www.ballincurra.co
Old Head Golf Links www.oldheadgolflinks.com
Spectacular golf in the lap of luxury
