July 2025

Poulaphouca, Ireland

Poulaphouca is the name of a waterfall and bridge on the River Liffey between County Wicklow and County Kildare. It is primarily known for its hydroelectric generating station and the associated artificial lake, known as Poulaphouca Reservoir.

Just 45 minutes from downtown Dublin along the N81, lies the rural, idyllic setting of Poulaphouca Pitch and Putt club.

A mere six kilometres from the thriving town of Blessington, Poulaphouca starts with the most gentle of openings, a 23 metre pitch. Longest hole at Poulaphouca is the 12th at 64 metres. 

The index 18 1st plays gently downhill to a round green ringed with banks. The putting surface slopes from front left to back right. No. 12 is index 2. There's Out of Bounds right and a gaping front bunker protects a green that slopes from left to right.

The  index 4 2nd calls for 59 metre straight pitch over a small bank with a fall away to the left.

Tall trees protect many of the fairways. Flower beds and boxes adorn this scenic layout.

Out of Bounds lurks to the right of the downhill 11th where a front bunker needs to be carried to find a small target. No. 17 plays 48 metres downhill over a front bunker with Out of Bounds behind

Poulaphouca's 18th stretches to 60 metres and is Index 1. Trees guard the fairway left and right and the two front banks tend to foreshorten  the teeshot.  The plays gently uphill to a round green, which slopes slightly towards the back right. Beware Out of Bounds right.

Established in 1956, Pouplahouca Pitch anbd Putt club was originally intended as a facility for employees of ESB, the electricity utility. As time went on, membership was opened to the wider public and enjoyed a renaissance in the 1980s. Today, Poulaphouca is a respected affiliate of Pitch and Putt Ireland.