Gowran Park Golf Club shares its grounds with Gowran Park Racecourse — an active National Hunt and flat racing venue in Co. Kilkenny — which makes for one of the more genuinely unusual layouts in Irish golf. Fairways cross the circuit, the grandstands appear in the background on several holes, and on racing days the atmosphere is something entirely its own. Kilkenny city is fifteen minutes away: the medieval mile, Kilkenny Castle, and what is arguably the best craft beer and food scene in provincial Ireland. At €50 it is very good value, and different enough from everything else on a standard itinerary to be worth including for that reason alone.
Highlights
- Racecourse setting
- Unique parkland experience
- Kilkenny countryside
Visitor Information
Getting There
Common questions
What makes Gowran Park Golf Club unique?
Gowran Park Golf Club is set within the grounds of the famous Gowran Park Racecourse in Co. Kilkenny — the first racecourse in Ireland to stage a jumps festival and one of the most active National Hunt venues in the country. Playing golf alongside an active racecourse is an unusual experience, and the parkland layout within the estate has a character that reflects the quality of its surroundings.
Is golf at Gowran Park worth the visit to Kilkenny?
Gowran Park is a solid parkland course at good value — not Ireland's most celebrated course, but a well-maintained layout in a genuinely distinctive setting. Combined with Kilkenny city's medieval attractions (thirty minutes west), it makes a strong southeast Ireland day. Thomastown and Inistioge in the Nore Valley are fifteen minutes away and worth a short walk.
How do I book Gowran Park Golf Club?
Gowran Park books through GolfNow with reliable availability.
What should I do in Kilkenny city alongside golf?
Kilkenny Castle and the medieval city walls are the centrepiece — Kilkenny is Ireland's best-preserved medieval city. The Smithwick's Experience tells the story of Ireland's oldest brewery on the same grounds as the original 14th-century abbey. The Design and Craft Centre in the castle stables showcases Irish craft at its best. Marble City Bar on High Street is a worthwhile stop.
Where to Stay
Books directly via GolfNow — no agent wait
Plan your full Ireland itinerary
Course Facts
Destination guide
Parkland golf in Ireland
Courses, hotels, restaurants and things to do beyond the fairways.
Read the guide →
← All Ireland courses