This weekend will see the Ryder Cup take place in New York, with Europe aiming to retain the famous golf trophy on American soil.
While many of us will be glued to the action at Bethpage Black across the weekend, it’s fair to say that the game of golf has rarely been as popular on this island ahead of the Ryder Cup’s visit here in two years’ time to Adare Manor.
Few will forget the scenes at the K Club earlier this month where Rory McIlroy recorded an epic victory in The Amgen Irish Open.
While the Grand Slam winner’s amazing putt on the 18th of the Palmer North course to secure a play-off will live long in the memory, it was also heartening to see the number of people of all ages who were enthralled by the Holywood man’s genius – something they will no doubt hope he repeats this weekend.
While golf membership in Ireland continues to grow - up 20% in the last five years - it is always handier to get involved in the sport if you are close to one of the 377 clubs nationwide.
With that in mind, it might be preferable to buy a home on or near a course. Here are five of the best currently on the market on MyHome…
Ladycastle House, Ladycastle Lower, Straffan, Co Kildare

- Type: 5 bed detached house
- Agent: Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty
- Asking price: €4,000,000
Set amidst a 7.87 acre site beside the K Club, Ladycastle House is an exceptional Georgian-inspired 5 bed home which offers 491sqm of living space and panoramic views over the world-famous course which hosted the Ryder Cup in 2006.
Ravenscourt House, Well Road, Douglas, Co Cork

- Type: 7 bed detached period home
- Agent: Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty Cork
- Asking price: €4,000,000
With panoramic views over the lush greens of the local golf course and Douglas River Estuary, Ravenscourt House is an elegant 7 bed period home dating from 1790 but modernised in recent time which occupies a superb 1.4 acre site.
The Lucas, 12 The Oakwood, Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Co Meath

- Type: 6 bed detached house
- Agent: Savills
- Asking price: €2,350,000
This stunning 6 bed home is set on the grounds of Killeen Castle, now home to an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course which has previously hosted the Solheim Cup, Ladies Irish Opens and several big PGA events.
909 Ladycastle, The K Club, Straffan, Co Kildare

- Type: 4 bed detached house
- Agent: French Estates
- Asking price: €1,650,000
Set on the grounds of The K Club, this beautiful 4 bed home overlooks the tee box on the iconic 18th hole of the Palmer South Golf Course which was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer.
Zinc House, Templenoe, Kenmare, Co Kerry

- Type: 5 bed detached house
- Agent: Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty Cork
- Asking price: €1,695,000
Situated in an unparalleled coastal setting, Zinc House is a stunning A-rated 5 bed home which offers 212sqm of living space on two acres of meticulously landscaped grounds that command a prime position above the Ring of Kerry Golf Course.