St Anne's Golf Club

North Bull Island did not exist before the nineteenth century. When the North Bull Wall was constructed between 1820 and 1825 — channelling the River Liffey to deepen Dublin Port — silt scoured from the river was deposited on the north side of the bay, and the island gradually rose from sandbanks. It is now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and, in a distinction the United Nations makes carefully, the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve worldwide that includes within its area parts of a national capital. Two golf clubs occupy the western half of this accidental island: Royal Dublin at the south end, founded in 1885; and St Anne's at the north end, founded on 1 July 1921.

The name comes from the Guinness estate that bordered the island. In the 1830s, Arthur and Benjamin Lee Guinness renamed their estate "St Anne's" after a nearby holy well dedicated to the saint. When the golf club was formed, they chose the name in honour of Lady Ardilaun of that estate, who gave permission for the course to exist. Eddie Connaughton laid out the original nine holes; Eddie Hackett expanded it to 18 in 1989. Today the course plays to par 71 over 6,717 yards from the back tees — the same dune ridges, same salt-grass fairways, same south-westerly wind as Royal Dublin next door.

The two courses on the same 5km island are unique in world golf. Royal Dublin charges accordingly; St Anne's is a fraction of the price and has the atmosphere of a genuine members' club rather than a visitor facility. Weekday access is open; weekends are more restricted. Take bus 130 to the island causeway — the most accessible links round in any European capital.