Skellig Bay Golf Club
Ron Kirby's dramatic 18-hole heathland course at Waterville — 7,102 yards of exposed Atlantic golf on undulating clifftop terrain, with views across the bay to the Skellig Islands. A lesser-known alternative to its famous neighbour Waterville Golf Links, but with scenery to match.
The course
Skellig Bay Golf Club is a relative newcomer to the Kerry golf landscape, opening in 2006 on a dramatic coastal site at Waterville on the Ring of Kerry. Designed by American architect Ron Kirby — who is better known in Kerry for his work with Eddie Hackett on Ring of Kerry Golf Club — Skellig Bay follows the natural contours of the coastal headland terrain, producing a course that is neither pure links nor parkland but something distinctly its own: heathland and headland golf on undulating Atlantic-exposed ground.
The course plays to 7,102 yards at par 72, making it one of the longer layouts in Kerry. The routing follows the coastline of South West Kerry, bringing the sea into view on multiple holes and leaving the course fully exposed to the Atlantic winds that make Waterville one of the most challenging golf locations in Ireland. On calmer days, the views across Ballinskelligs Bay towards the Skellig Islands — the UNESCO World Heritage site and Star Wars filming location visible offshore — are exceptional.
Skellig Bay operates as a welcoming club open to members and visitors throughout the week. It sits adjacent to the famous Waterville Golf Links and makes an excellent second-day or late-afternoon option for golfers based in Waterville or the Ring of Kerry. No handicap certificate is required.
Course details
- Course typeHeathland / Headland
- Holes18
- Par72
- Length7,102 yards
- DesignerRon Kirby
- Opened2006
- AddressWaterville, Co. Kerry
- Phone+353 66 947 4133
- Websiteskelligbay.com
- Handicap requiredNo
- Green feeContact club for current rates
- From Killarney~60 minutes
Green fees
| Day | Green Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday | Contact club | Call +353 66 947 4133 to confirm |
| Weekend | Contact club | Call +353 66 947 4133 to confirm |
Current green fee rates were not published online at time of compilation (May 2026). Call +353 66 947 4133 or visit skelligbay.com to confirm current pricing.
Frequently asked
What type of course is Skellig Bay?
Skellig Bay is classified as a heathland or headland course — it is neither a links course (no sand dunes or sea-level terrain) nor a conventional parkland, but occupies the coastal clifftop and headland ground above Waterville. The terrain is undulating, exposed to the Atlantic, and overlooks the bay and the Skellig Islands. Ron Kirby's routing follows the natural contours of this dramatic landscape.
How long is Skellig Bay Golf Club?
Skellig Bay plays to 7,102 yards at par 72, making it one of the longer golf courses in Kerry. At full length it is a genuinely challenging course, particularly in the Atlantic winds that are common on the Waterville headland. The course is playable from shorter tees for visitors who prefer a less demanding yardage.
Can I see the Skellig Islands from the course?
Yes — on a clear day the Skellig Islands are visible from the course. Skellig Michael, the larger of the two Skellig Islands, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and became internationally famous as a filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. The island's dramatic rock formation is clearly visible from the Waterville coastline and from several holes on the Skellig Bay course.
How does Skellig Bay compare to Waterville Golf Links?
Waterville Golf Links is one of the world's great links courses — a championship layout ranked among Ireland's finest, with a long international reputation and correspondingly high green fees. Skellig Bay is a newer, less celebrated course with a different character (heathland rather than links) that welcomes visitors at more accessible pricing. For golfers spending more than one day in Waterville, the two courses offer a contrasting and complementary experience.
Who designed Skellig Bay Golf Club?
Skellig Bay was designed by American architect Ron Kirby, who began site visits to the Waterville headland in 1998 and oversaw the course's development through to its opening in 2006. Kirby also worked alongside Eddie Hackett on Ring of Kerry Golf Club at Templenoe near Kenmare.
Nearby courses
Waterville Golf Links
World-class Eddie Hackett/Tom Fazio links — Tom Watson, Tiger Woods and Payne Stewart have all played here. From €150.
Ring of Kerry Golf Club
Ron Kirby and Eddie Hackett's design at Templenoe — Kenmare Bay panoramas, no handicap required. From €110.
Dooks Golf Links
One of Ireland's oldest links (Est. 1889) at Glenbeigh — Dingle Bay views and McGillycuddy Reeks backdrop. From €80.