| Club History |
Instituted 1885, affiliated 1882. The Royal Dublin, although its original records were lost in the clubhouse fire on 2nd August 1943, can trace its original location to a site in the Phoenix Park, when it was a military golf club in 1884. The founding meeting of the club took place on 15th of May, 1885, in No. 19 Grafton Street. Mr. John Lumsden was in the chair. Forty-one members attended the meeting. At the AGM, the following January John Lumsden presented The Lumsden medal which is still competed for and the records show that the course was reduced to twelve-holes in winter owing to difficulty of upkeep. At the following AGM there was a balance against the club of fifteen shillings and six pence and it was decided to reduce the number of holes to nine. By 1888 the club was on the move to Sutton and a course was laid out at Cush Point. However, the lease was retained in the Phoenix Park. Sutton proved to be out of reach for most of the members. A meeting on 19th January 1889, informed John Lumsden that permission had been obtained from Colonel Vernon and the Dublin Port and Docks Board to play at Dollymount for a fee of one £1 and one shilling. Mr. Petrie proposed that Old Tom Morris be retained to design the course, but this decision was postponed owing to expense. The course was laid out by, the President, John Lumsden, and the Captain, Mr. Gilroy. On the 14th May, 1891, the title "Royal" was conferred on the club in a letter signed by E. Leigh-Pemberton and addressed to the club care of Mr. J. Balfour, who was Chief Secretary of Ireland, (who was) a fanatical golfer.
The first members consisted of various professional groupings and the military garrisons, notably The Blackwatch Regiment and the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. The Royal Dublin played a major part in the development of golf in the metropolitan area. With John, the founder Captain and Vice President of the GUI in 1891 being involved, together with club professionals, Anthony Brown, George Coburn and Tom Hood laying out many courses. In 1914, the course was closed and was occupied by the army. It was not until April 1920, that the club was reopened. Then in January 1921, H. C. Colt was retained to redesign the course. |
| Members Achievements |
Gary McGrane won the Irish Boys' Amateur Close Championship at Malahide Golf Club on Friday 24th August 2007. He returned rounds of 72, 69, 73 and 72 for a total of 286, to pip the young I. Keane from the home club by one shot. Keane won the Under 16 Trophy. This was a magnificent performance by this young man who has played Leinster Boys and has represented his club at Senior and Junior Cup level, definitely one to watch in the future.The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the Barton Cup in 2006, when they beat Old Conna by 7 and halve matches to 2 and halve matches. The first leg of the Final was played at The Royal Dublin on Saturday 19th August when The Royal Dublin returned a 4 match to 1 match lead going into the second leg away to Old Conna on Saturday 2nd September. These matches finished 3 and halve to 1 and halve to the away team giving The Royal Dublin a comfortable win.
The Royal Dublin continue to develop their young players under the watchful eye of Mannix Kennedy, having won the All-Ireland Fred Daly Trophy in 2004. Their panel of young players achieved considerable individual credits in 2005.
Niall Kearney won the Irish Boys’ Close Championship at Kilkeel Golf Club in August 2005, he reached the Semi-Final of the Connacht Youths’ and was selected on the club Senior Cup team. Niall was considered a "veteran" when he represented Ireland in the Boys' Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa, Lioncolnshire on 2nd August 2005 having been selected the previous year at Portmarnock Golf Club. He and Seamus Power (West Waterford) were the only two survivors from the 2004 team.
Barry Fennelly won the Ulster Boys’ at Lisburn Golf Club and finished in the top 10 in the Irish Boys’ he was selected on the club Senior Cup team and partnered Paul O’Grady on the Barton team that reached the Semi-Final.
Neil O’Briain won the Connacht Youths' at Carne in August 2005, was selected on the club’s Senior Cup team and partnered John O’Donovan on the Barton team that reached the Semi-Final.
Gary McGrane was selected on the Irish and Leinster Boys’ teams in 2005, and partnered Michael Chambers on the Barton team that reached the Semi-Final. He played Senior and Junior Cup for the club.
The Royal Dublin Juniors won the All-Ireland Fred Daly Trophy National Final in 2004, when the team was M. Cooke, Niall Kearney, Barry Fennelly, C. Keogh, D. O'Beirne, Neil O'Briain, Gary McGrane, C. Knightly, C. Glavey and D. O'Halloran, they were captained by Mannix Kennedy, they went on to win the home countries final at La Manga in December 2004.
Niall Kearney was selected on the Irish Boys Team that played Canada in a Junior Challenge match at Hamilton Golf and Country Club from 7th to 9th September 2004.
Darren Crowe was selected on the Irish Team for the Home International Matches at Royal St. David's Golf Club in Harlech, Wales, from September 11th-13th 2002. He was also selected on the Irish Youths team to play in Gdansk, Poland on July 9th 2002.
The Royal Dublin won the Irish Senior Cup at Killarney G. C. in 1969 and in 1929, 1927, 1925 and 1924.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup at Co. Louth N. O'Brien, T. Hutchinson, E. Brady, B. O'Malley, L. Brady, T. Kone-Nash and they were captained by G. O'Donovan.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the All-Ireland Barton Shield, on their home course in 1968, when the team was, T. D. Garvey, M. B. Costello, M. J. Jordan, G. N. Fogarty and D. P. Herlihy. They also won it in 1925 and 1924.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the All-Ireland Irish Junior Cup in 1957, when the team was, M. B. O'Halloran, F. O. Gogarty, J. S. Conway, B. J. Sampson and T. Kane. They won the Irish Junior Cup at Royal Portrush in 1932 and 1927.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Irish Senior Cup at Co. Louth N. O'Brien, T. Hutchinson, E. Brady, B. O'Malley, L. Brady, T. Kone-Nash and they were captained by G. O'Donovan.
The Royal Dublin Golf Club won the Leinster Final of the Pierce Purcell Shield in 1981 and were All-Ireland Runners-Up at Grange Golf Club, when the team was O. Egan, F. Lyon, T. Kirin, E. Doherty, M. Collins, R. O'Malley, M. Wisdom, F. B. Doyle, D. Courteney, K. Courtney, E. Cardan, A. I. McGann and T. Summers, they were captained by S. Donnelly.
The Royal Dublin won the Barton Cup 1967, when the squad was, C. A. Byrne, P. V. O'Neill, P. J. Ryan, K. C. Moore, D. Cooper, P. H. Gunning, G. C. Fitzgerald, T. D. Garvey, J. S. Conway, P. Flanagan, F. G. Moran, K. Murray, B. J. Sampson, M. J. Jordan, M. B. Costello, J. L. Mahon, F. Sharpe, P. C. Haughey, G. N. Fogarty, D. K. Corcoran, J. J. O'Haneon, J. M. O'Dwyer, B. Howard, J. J. Quill and T. C. Trinder.
W. J. Slattery was elected to the council of the Leinster Branch of the GUI for 2001.
Niall Manchip a teaching Pro. at The Royal Dublin won the Smurfit Irish PGA Championship at The Island on 17 October 99 to receive the largest cheque of his professional life.
Eamonn Brady who turned professional in September 2000, represented Ireland in the Home International matches from 1995-1998, he played Leinster Youths from 1993 to 1995, playing 18 matches.
D. K. Corcoran played for Leinster from 1972 to 1973.
P. M. O'Boyle was selected in 1977.
J. Hutchinson represented Leinster from 1983 to 1990, having played 16 matches.
N. McGrane represented Leinster in 1989.
W. Gillen played Leinster Youths in 1995.
Lee Owens played Leinster Boys in 1997.
|
| Holes-in-One |
| Person |
Date |
Hole No. |
Club Used |
Distance |
| George Hayden |
30 January 1997 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| Liam Bergin |
12 April 1997 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| Tom Higgins |
12 April 1997 |
4th |
|
157 m |
| Des Downey |
16 April 1997 |
6th |
|
164 m |
| Joe O'Donovan |
14 June 1997 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| Gerry O'Donovan |
15 October 1997 |
6th |
|
164 m |
| Billy Wallace |
16 November 1997 |
4th |
|
157 m |
| John Healy |
10 January 1998 |
6th |
|
164 m |
| Art I. McGann |
25 February 1998 |
4th |
|
157 m |
| G. Fogarty |
9 March 1998 |
4th |
|
128 m |
| Ronan Collins |
18 March 1998 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| Brendan Coghlan |
8 April 1998 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| Desmond Woods |
1 June 1998 |
12th |
|
172 m |
| Cathal Mullan |
1 August 1998 |
9th |
|
138 m |
| Douglas Herther |
14 November 1998 |
12th |
|
142m |
| Barry O'Halloran |
2 February 1999 |
6th |
|
164 m |
| K. Ninightly |
1 May 1999 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| John Healy |
20 June 1999 |
4th |
|
157 m |
| John French |
23 June 1999 |
4th |
|
157 m |
| C. Rowden |
4 September 1999 |
6th |
|
164 m |
| Steven Cloonan |
4 September 1999 |
6th |
|
164 m |
| Denis McAdams |
5 December 1999 |
6th |
5 wood |
170 m |
| Pat Carolan |
10 May 2000 |
12th |
6 iron |
188 m |
| Peter Early |
17 June 2000 |
12th |
4 iron |
172 m |
| Liam Browne |
17 June 2000 |
6th |
5 wood |
170 m |
| Niall Lavin |
23 June 2000 |
12th |
5 iron |
172 m |
| John Huchinson |
13 January 2001 |
12th |
|
142 m |
| Conrad O'Donovan |
24 February 2001 |
6th |
|
170 m |
| Sean Kelly |
31 March 2001 |
12th |
|
188 m |
| Eugene O'Reilly |
23 May 2001 |
6th |
|
170 m |
| Brendan O'Malley |
6 June 2001 |
12th |
|
172 m |
| John Healy |
20 June 2001 |
4th |
|
157 m |
| Padraig Johnson |
25 July 2001 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| John Dennis |
25 October 2001 |
4th |
|
157 m |
| Cecil Rowden |
6 November 2001 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| John Holland |
29 December 2001 |
12th |
|
172 m |
| Des Quigley |
19 January 2002 |
6th |
|
170 m |
| Liam Browne |
15 June 2002 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| Thomas Morrissey S.J. |
15 August 2002 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| Des Smyth |
10 September 2002 |
4th |
|
163 m |
| George Henry |
14 December 2002 |
4th |
|
163 m |
| John Dennis |
17 May 2003 |
6th |
|
170 m |
| Tom Ryan |
13 August 2003 |
6th |
|
170 m |
| Niall Kearney |
23 December 2003 |
9th |
|
160 m |
| David O'Beirne |
18 February 2004 |
12th |
|
172 m |
| Owen O'Connor |
11 July 2004 |
6th |
|
170 m |
| Greg Fogarty |
23 November 2004 |
4th |
|
163 m |
| Brendan J. O'Malley |
8 March 2005 |
16th |
|
241 m |
| Mervyn Wisdom |
9 September 2005 |
9th |
|
129 m |
|
