Surrounded by the famous lakes of Killarney and the Magillycuddy Reeks mountains in the distance, this is probably the most picturesque golf course in Ireland. Correction, it's probably the two most picturesque courses in Ireland!! The Killarney Golf & Fishing Club has two championship courses, Killeen and Mahoney's Point. Killarney staged the Irish Open in 1991 and 1992, when it was won on both occasions by Nick Faldo. Firm fairways and true greens are the hallmark of these courses. The courses are in a mature setting with lots of old trees and plenty of water hazards to keep you on your toes. When the wind blows down the mountains the funnelling effect of the trees raises the challenge of the course. Kerry is famous for its links courses like Ballybunion and Waterville, but Killarney's two parkland courses offer a different type of challenge to a golfer.
    Being chosen to host the Irish Open posed a dilemma to the club, namely which of their magnificent courses to use? They finally went for the newer Killeen course, which is much admired by the aforementioned Faldo. Plans are afoot to build another course to be cut from the woodlands on higher ground. However, there have been objections on environmental grounds, so it remains to be seen whether it will be built yet.