Built on vision.
Shaped by people.
A club born from determination.
The Balcarrick story began in 1968, when a group of passionate golfers known as the “Homeless Golfers” met at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Dublin with a simple ambition — to make golf more accessible to the public.
Their vision would ultimately grow into one of North County Dublin's most established golfing communities.
The people who started the journey.
From idea to institution.
More than five decades of growth, change and investment have shaped Balcarrick into the club it is today.
The Homeless Golfers
A group of golfers came together in Dublin with a shared goal: to create greater access to the game and build a golfing community of their own.
Dublin & County Golf Club
When Dublin County Council opened a public golf course at Corballis, Donabate, the group established Dublin & County Golf Club. It became the first club in Ireland to gain affiliation with the Golfing Union of Ireland without owning its own course.
Balcarrick Golf Club is born
With membership growing and playing demand increasing, land provided by Jack Collins and the Smith family enabled the club to establish its own course. The club adopted the Balcarrick name and opened a new nine-hole layout.
Eighteen holes
Under the guidance of course designer Barry Langan, Balcarrick expanded from nine holes to a complete 18-hole golf course.
The clubhouse opens
The opening of the clubhouse provided the growing membership with a true home and completed a remarkable journey for a group once known simply as the “Homeless Golfers”.
Securing the future
Members approved the purchase of the 50 acres required for the second nine holes, securing the land that had previously been leased and strengthening the club's long-term future.
A €1.5 million redevelopment begins
The club embarked on a major course redevelopment led by renowned golf course architect Roger Jones, with construction undertaken by Dar Golf Construction Ltd.
The redesigned course opens
The transformed course was officially opened on 28 June 2008, marking the beginning of a new era for Balcarrick and setting the standard for the course members and visitors enjoy today.
Reimagining Balcarrick for a new generation.
The redevelopment was far more than a cosmetic upgrade. It was a complete rethinking of how the course played, drained and presented itself.
Fairways were reshaped, bunkers repositioned and new tees and greens introduced, while major improvements were made to drainage and irrigation.
Strategic Design
Fairways and bunkers reshaped to reward good course management.
Improved Playability
New tees and green surrounds designed for golfers of all levels.
Infrastructure
Significant upgrades to drainage and irrigation systems.
Natural Character
A modern course designed to sit comfortably within its landscape.
A redevelopment recognised beyond Ireland.
The success of the redevelopment was recognised internationally, with Balcarrick named as a finalist in Golf Inc.'s 2008 Renovation of the Year competition.
The project placed the club among a small group of courses recognised globally for excellence in renovation and course design.
Proud of our past. Focused on what comes next.
More than fifty years after the first meeting of the “Homeless Golfers”, Balcarrick continues to evolve while remaining grounded in the same values of access, community and a shared love of golf.