Dumping and vandalism at Kildare golf club
Litter captured at the edge of the golf course
CONCERNS have been raised about alleged anti-social behaviour and damage at Cill Dara Golf Club, with a club member describing a series of ongoing issues in recent weeks.
A member contacted the outlining concerns about a group of 20 to 30 people who they say have come and set up an encampment at the edge of the Curragh, beside the fourth hole at Cill Dara Golf Club.
He alleged a number of incidents, including the removal of golf balls during competitions, harassment of players, and repeated dumping of rubbish around the course, particularly under trees near the fourth hole and at the fifth and seventh tee boxes.
He also pointed to similar situations in the past, including during the COVID-19 lockdown and last year, when former Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl raised concerns about encampments on the Curragh and called for legislative action.
“The Curragh is a historically significant natural landscape where locals walk and run,” the member said. “Unfortunately, people cannot fully avail of it while this situation continues.”
Separately, a staff member at the club reported more recent damage to the course, which they said occurred overnight on Sunday, 19 April.
“Last night, two of the greens were damaged,” they said. “It was clearly done by human hand, not an animal. There’s also rubbish thrown into the sides of the course and into the bushes.”
The staff member said the fourth green has been particularly affected and noted that caravans have been stationed near the railway at the edge of the course for the last week.
However, they did not attribute responsibility to anyone as they had no sure way of knowing, but noted that the close proximity of the course from the encampment was of concern.
They also highlighted safety issues, particularly involving children accessing the course unsupervised.
“They’ve been out playing on the greens and fairways, which is quite dangerous. You don’t always see them, and they’re not being supervised,” they said.
Similar incidents have occurred previously, including damage caused to the course green by quad bikes. In those cases, repairs were carried out by volunteers replacing torn sections of turf.
The successful club was founded in 1920 and currently has 450 members and a thriving junior section with other clubs coming to play inter club competitions.
"This kind of damage to the greens causes great inconvenience and upset and is downright shameful behaviour," said the staff member. "We have a great club here and volunteers who work hard to keep the course up to scratch."
