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Atlantic Coast Links Golf Club, Kilbrittain. County Cork. (1903 - 1920s)

The club was founded in 1903.

In 1903/4 the professional  was James Brown.

The following information is taken from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Secretary, W A S Riversdale P.J., Kilbrittain Castle, County Cork; No Entrance Fee - Subs, 21/-; 18-holes; Professional, E Cahill; Professional record - J Brown, 37 (9-holes); Amateur record - Captain Gribble and J Crosbie, 38. These links comprise both an inland and seaside course, and at every stroke there are magnificent land and sea views. The Hotel (whose proprietor is the Secretary) and clubhouse are in the centre of the course, and beside the first tee.   

Pictures below are from a postcard stamped June 1906.

Above images courtesy of Graham Rowley.

In 1906 the secretary was J F Moriarty of Clonakelty, Kilbrittain, County Cork and the professional M Cahill. It was listed as an 18-hole course at this time. Course records were, amateur J Crosbie 38 and professional J Brown 37. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 5/- a week, and 10/6d per season. Visitors staying at the hotel used the course free of charge. The Station at Bandon was 9 miles away.

The following is an advert of the time for the Atlantic Golf Links Hotel. “The Railway station, Bandon, 9 miles. Car service. Hotel facing the Atlantic amenities include, electric lights. hot, fresh and salt water baths, cuisine perfect, moderate tariff, golf free to hotel visitors. Bathing at all tides good sea fishing, boating, duck and snipe shooting, Croquet and Tennis”

The important article below gives a great insight into the club and course.

The rare images above and the following brilliant article are from the World of Golf Thursday August 2nd 1906:-
“Atlantic Golf Club, Cork – In these days of overcrowded links, the question is often asked “Where can I go to combine a good game with peace and comfort?” The question is easily answered by those who have had the good fortune to visit Harbour View and use their golf clubs over the Atlantic Golf Club course.

For landscapes and seascapes Harbour View is unrivalled, and even in so fair a land as dear old Erin this place stands out prominently and unsurpassed. Here one as a variety almost unparalleled. There is a large extent of silvery sand on which leisurely break the long Atlantic rollers. Passing closely are the liners of the Cunard and White Star Line; on the left the grand old Head of Kinsale, far off to the right are the Seven Heads; nearer are Coulen Cliffs, the highest, steepest and grandest in Ireland, and yet nearer the ocean sweeps round a well sheltered bay, well wooded on either side, until it loses itself down a picturesque valley, where it washes the foundations the grand old Franciscan Abbey, the first home of those monks whose history is largely bound up of that of Ireland. Behind one lies the rolling downs, gorse clad, terminating in high, tree crowded hills, through which a glimpse can be caught of the historical tenth century Kilbriattain Castle, once the home of the Kings of Munster.

Starting on the upland of the links one plays in a south-westerly direction, facing down the valley, bearing round in half circle, until one plays almost due east at right angles to the ocean. Stopping just short of it, sea level is reached, and play is resumed on a sandy soil which is covered by short, spongy turf which is ideal for golf. A long sweep is made playing the next few holes, until from the final tee a long drive lands the ball directly in front of the Atlantic Links Hotel, which is also the clubhouse, and close to the home green.

The making of these links is the enterprise of Mr & Mrs Alcock S Riversdale, of Kilbrittain Castle, who are owners of the estate around.  In fact, with the keen insight into possibilities which is one of the characteristics of her nation (the lady hails from Boston, U.S.A,) Mrs Riversdale may be said to have discovered Harbour View. The fact is beyond dispute that she is the one who placed its advantages at the disposal of the public.

The Hotel was opened in June 1904 under the management of Mr Macro and its success was assured in the first season.”   

In 1914 it appeared as the Atlantic Golf Club, Kilbrittain. The secretary was J T Moriarty and the professional T Kenny (from 1906). It was now listed as a 9 hole course with a membership of 70. There was no entry fee and the subs were £1/1/0. The fees and conditions were as 1906. There was an additional station listed at Timoleague 5 miles away.

Above is the Atlantic Coast Golf links Hotel which had stunning views over Courtmacsherry Bay. There was a shuttle bus (in the picture) to collect and dispatch its guests and a ferry service to and from Courtmacsherry (the West Cork Railway connected to Courtmacsherry at the time). The Golf Links Hotel operated until the early 1920s when it was sold to the Walsh Family of Bandon at which point it became a private family residence.

The Google Map below shows Harbour View.