KILLEEN CASTLE

The spectacular 600-acre estate at Killeen Castle is home to a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, Europe's only Dave Pelz Scoring Game School and is soon to be complemented by a luxury hotel. It is a testament to the quality of Nicklaus' creation that the course has been awarded the honour of host venue for The 2011 Solheim Cup, despite only being completed in 2008. It will also host the revived Ladies Irish Open on the Ladies European Tour in 2010.

The course rambles over 350 acres of beautiful natural woodlands, and Nicklaus has created a layout that can be set up to provide the sternest of championship challenges or entertain the average golfer thanks to multiple tees at every hole.

The course can be played from 6,118 yards to 7,677 yards and it boasts all the trademark Nicklaus features; bunkering in just the right positions, oceans of space off the tee, the necessity to hit long drives otherwise you'll be hitting long approach shots that simply won't hold on the greens. The greens are enormous though, and very true, so that a 20-foot putt started on line should duly drop in the hole.

It's a course that really is a delight to play, even in periods of poor weather, thanks to an extensive state-of-the-art drainage system that was put in place during construction. The clubhouse facilities are superb too, with personal meet-and-greet services from the friendly staff, highly-specced locker rooms and showers and elegant dining facilities replete with menus that would shame many a top-line restaurant.

Located near the picturesque village of Dunsany, just north of Dunshaughlin and overlooked by the ancient Hill of Tara, Killeen Castle enjoys easy access to the city, being only twenty five minutes from both Dublin City Centre and the International Airport.