Golf in Ireland - Newtown !

In my last post I touched on the Hamilton & Montgomery Settlement of 1606 in the Ards and North Down. In documents known as the Montgomery Manuscripts many interesting matters were recorded and some little known facts.

In a recent visit to the newspaper library in Belfast I found a letter to the Editor in 1926, regarding the playing of golf in Ireland. There may have been a dispute as to where, when, etc, golf was introduced into Ireland.

In his letter J.R. Fisher confirmed that indeed 'GOFF' was brought into Ireland (Ulster) in or around 1605 - 1606.

It my further understanding that the first Golf course was around the site of Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church!!

HMA