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Malahide Golf Club, County Dublin. (1892 - 1990)

Founded in 1892.

The original nine-hole links course was located in the dunes at Malahide, due to coastal erosion the course was never going to survive, in the 1920s the club moved to an inland site at Malahide. The club continued at this course, with its wonderful views until 1990 when the land was required for housing development.

The club moved to its current location at Beechwood in 1990.

There is evidence that golf was played in a haphazard fashion over the sandbanks in the mid 1880s.

The three pioneers of the golf club; Nathanial Hone, an artist; William Reid, a clergyman;  Richard Wogan, fifth Baron Talbot de Malahide, land owner.

The first invitation handicap was played on Saturday 30 November 1894 and was won by F H Kennedy with a score of 92-13-79. Result below.

Irish Independent Tuesday 4 December 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A competition for the monthly medal winners was held in December 1895. Dr W S Elliot was the winner with a score of 86-2-84. In the ladies competition there was a tie between Mrs H Tandy Cannon and  Miss G Campbell with a net score of 121, Mrs Cannon won the play-off.

Below the club secure a new clubhouse in 1896.

From the Belfast News-Letter Wednesday 5 August 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the January medal 1897; Captain Osborne RN, 93-12-81; R A Campbell, 98-14-84; T O’Reilley, 106-16-90; C H Dillon, 117-18-99. The following also competed; Rev W Reid, N Hone, H T Carmon, Arnold Graves and Ernest Manders. Ladies section; Miss Kathleen Murphy, 114-17-97; Miss Corrigan, 116-10-106; Miss Mabel Power, 127-20-107; Miss M Campbell, 132-25-107; Mrs J H Campbell, 123-13-110; Miss M Corrigan, 142-30-112. Mrs Cannon, Miss Albert Joynt and Miss Kathleen Murphy also played.

Result of the ladies’ bogey competition for February 1897; Miss Corrigan (7) all square; Mrs J H Campbell (9) 4down; Mrs Blood (15) 6down; Miss Maunder (18) 10down; Miss Manders (16) 16down.

On Thursday 4th November 1897 the competition for prizes given by the ladies’ captain, Mrs J R Blood, was held in glorious weather. Miss Georgie Campbell, net85, won the first prize, a silver cream jug, Miss Mabel Wade was second, net87, and won a gold safety brooch. Other scores; Miss Dodd,100-11-89; Miss M Bates, 114-24-90; Miss Watson, 125-30-95; Miss N Moore, 127-30-97; Miss M Corrigan, 134-30-104; Miss Story, 145-3-115. The following had no returns; Miss Corrigan (20), Miss Helen Moore (30), Miss Maunder (30), Mrs Barrington (30), Mrs C H Dillon (30), Mrs Webb-Smith (30), Miss Gray Jones (30), Miss Dora Campbell (30). Following the competition Mrs Blood entertained all the members to tea on the links.

In December 1897 the Malahide club, loyal to their traditions, held a mixed foursome bogey competition on St Stephen’s Day. It created a lot of interest and there was a large entry, Miss Helen Moore and Mr Kinahan won the first prize, a handsome gold and pearl bangle, presented by Mr E Johnston, Grafton Street. Miss Powell and Mr R A Campbell won second prize, an aluminium driver, presented by Elvery & Co. Result as follows; Miss H Moore & Mr G Kinahan (15) 5up; Miss Powell & Mr R A Campbell (13) 1up; Miss Corrigan & Rev R G Webster (14) all square; Miss Campbell & Mr T O’Reilly (17) all square; Miss E Powell & Dr Elliott (13) 1down; Mrs Cannon & H T Cannon (15) 1down; Miss G Campbell & W H Maunder (16) 2down; Mrs Blood & Hans Kennedy (16) 2down; Mrs Dillon & Captain Grant (18) 5down; Miss Maunder & H Harden (18) 5down; Mr & Mrs A J Mitchell (17) 8down. In the afternoon Dr Elloitt, club captain, entertained the competitors and other guests to tea in the clubhouse.

Result of the monthly medal played on Saturday 2nd April 1898; J G Jameson, 84-16-68; A L Figgis, 80-11-69; Rev. N Richardson, 99-30-69; Dr. Elliott, 82-11-71; R A Campbell, 82-8-74; B Bradshaw, 108-30-78.

Result of the ladies’ monthly medal competition for January 1899; Miss Emilie Powell, 105-28-77; Miss G Campbell, 103-19-84; Mrs Day, 112-28-84. Others played but made no returns.

Early picture of the Malahide course and clubhouse. Image courtesy of Brendan Simpson.

From the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1892; Number of members 218; Station at Malahide quarter of a mile; Hon. secretary – C H Dillon J.P., The Lodge, Malahide; Captain, W Trumbull; Entrance fee £3 and subs £2 (Country members residing 30 miles away £1, and no entrance fee); Nine-holes; Professional, J J McKenna; Green-keeper, P Reilly; Professional record, J J McKenna 68 for 18-holes; Amateur record, Dr. R A Campbell 66 for 18-holes; Terms for visitors – Members of a Golf Club three days free, afterwards 1s a day if introduced. Visitors sleeping in the Grand Hotel 1s a day. All visitors 2s on Saturday.  The green is situated on the sand dunes just outside the town, all the putting greens are large and admirably kept, the bunkers are natural sand, a pond and one road. The course is well laid out, and the holes of good length. The bogey of the green is 72.

Result of a ladies match played at Malahide against Carrickmines in February 1907.

It was reported that the first competition on the new extended links took place on Tuesday 3 April 1906 when the ladies’ bogey was played, result; Mrs Franks (14,) 1up;  Miss Hone (23,) 1down; Miss F Powell (15,) 2down; Miss Henry (20,) 3down; Miss Powell (12,) 4down; Mrs Cannon (17,) 4down; Miss Story (13,) 5down; Miss A Moore (15,) 5down. The following also took part; Miss M Story, Mrs Barrington, Miss N Hely-Hutchinson, Miss M Corrigan, Miss C McFarland, Miss D Turnbull.

Following is the result of the January monthly medal 1908; G R Thornhill, 98-20-78; F E Thornhill, 94-9-85; Stafford H Dillon, 95-10-85. Result of the ladies medal - Miss Dora Turnbull, 112-28-84; Miss F Powell, 108-18-90; Miss M V Bates, 118-26-92; Mrs Mangin, 114-18-96; Miss L Mooney, 116-20-96. 

In February 1909 C H Wilkinson was appointed professional. He was formerly assistant to R Caird, City of Newcastle Golf Club.

Report on the club in October 1912.

Sport (Dublin) Saturday 12 October 1912. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It was reported in March 1917 that C W Wilkinson, professional at the Malahide club, had joined the Royal Garrison Artillery. For many years Wilkinson had been regarded as the best coach amongst the Irish professionals, and his services were much in demand prior to the war.

Also in March 1917 it was agreed that the arable land on the golf course should be used for cultivation to aid the war effort. 

From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 190; Hon. secretary, E J Crowley; Green-keeper, J Lowry; Professional, J Nugent; Nine-holes; Course records; Amateur; E J Crowley, 72; Professional; C H Wilkinson, 72; Visitors' fees, 2s/6d a day, 10s a week, 25s a month; Sunday play.

Golfer’s Handbook 1933; Membership 200; Hon. secretary, K O’Neill; Green-keeper, J Dunne; Professional, G Bryan; Nine-holes; Station at Malahide quarter of a mile; Visitors’ fees, 2s a day, 2s/6d Sunday and holidays, 10s a week, 25s a month.

Golfer's Handbook 1937; Membership 200; Hon. secretary, K O’Neill; Green-keeper, J Dunne; Professional, G Bryan; Nine-holes, SSS 68; Amateur course record, J B Connell, 69; Station at Malahide quarter of a mile; Visitors’ fees, 2s a day, 2s/6d Sunday and holidays, 10s a week, 25s a month.

Result of the 1940 Monthly Cup; H Verso (13) 72; A B Robertson (14) and J H McCreadie (12)  both 73.

Irish Independent Monday 20 January 1941. Image © Independent News and Media PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

At the time of WW2 the secretary was K O’Neill and the green-keeper J Dunne; Nine-holes SSS 70; Amateur record D Lyne, 73; Visitors’ fees, 2s a day, 2s/6d Sunday and holidays, 10s a week, 25s a month.

Evening Herald (Dublin) Friday 20 August 1948. Image © Independent News and Media PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In August 1949 R Larkin won the 36-hole stoke competition with a score of 136; runner-up was H Stafford, 142. 

Irish Independent Saturday 23 September 1950. Image © Independent News and Media PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1951 - 1957; Membership 230; Manager, K O'Neill; Green-keeper, J Dunne; None-holes, SSS 70; Amateur course record, D Lyne, 73; Visitors, 2s a day, 2s/6d Sundays and bank holidays, 10s a week, 25s a month. 

Report on the annual meeting in February 1960.

Drogheda Independent Saturday 13 February 1960. Image © Independent News and Media PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1982; Membership 250; Secretary, Dr S Gallen; Professional, Cecil Connolly; Nine-holes, 5,568 yards, SSS 65; Amateur course record; Tom Craddock, 66; Visitor, £1 (£2 weekend).

In the Golfer’s Handbook 1988 the address was Coast Road. The secretary was B Balger, and the professional C Connolly. The club had a membership of 250. The nine-hole course total measurement was 5,568 yards with a SSS67. Amateur course record; P Killeen, 63. Visitors’ fees £6.

The Google Map below shows “The Old Golf Links.”