Forrest Little Golf Club

History

Course Status

Course Closed until further notice Updated: 6th Feb 2026

Founded in 1940, Forrest Little Golf Club began its long history as Corballis Golf Club, when a group of golfers left Donabate Golf Club, over a disagreement about playing golf on the Sabbath, to start their own journey down by the sea. Things ran relatively smoothly for about 20 years but with the advent of the motor car in the 1960s, Donabate had become a very popular seaside resort, with day-trippers often picnicking on the course. Efforts to fence in the course were resisted and members realised that a move to an alternative site was necessary.

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With the sale of an old farm (Little Forrest Farm) near Dublin Airport, it was unanimously agreed at an EGM for Corballis Golf Club to purchase the farm and start a new life at its present location. It was only after a prominent member stood forward as a personal guarantor that the banks were willing to sanction the loan. This deep-rooted family and community ethos continues even today with volunteers working on every aspect of the course and club daily. The move and completion of the purchase were tricky with differing personalities involved but, as one of the key members of the negotiations said, ‘the key to the success was having a bottle of whiskey on the table at all times.’

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Designed by renowned Yorkshire course designer Fred Hawtree, it was only when a further six acres were sold to the club, that the full vision could be realised. After prolonged meetings, it was nearly two years after the purchase of the land that Forrest Little got its name. Forced by the reopening of the public course, that is today Corballis, the members agreed to name the course Forrest Little. Over the next four years, over 1,000 trees were planted and this policy of allocation of budget, annually, for tree planting continued for several decades. The first official opening of the clubhouse took place on 19th May 1973 - and, to be sure, there was another official opening on 9th June 1973.

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As the decades drifted by, Forrest Little Golf Club became famous for the social scene with standing room only nights every Saturday, where if you weren’t in the club early to get a seat, you just had to stand, as music and dancing would occupy the members week in, week out. Legendary nights such as John Joe’s Final Night of Open Week were spectacles in themselves. As the club developed, the 1980s were very much about building the profile of the club and in ’82, ’83 and ’84 Forrest Little played host to prequalifying for the Carroll's Irish Open (held then at Portmarnock). With the club's development and drive in its sporting prowess over the course of the last 20 years, the club in 2024 finally achieved what it had been striving to do: bring home a Green Pennant, thanks to the amazing golf played by our Junior Girls team (Amelia Lanigan, Amelia Penrose, Emma McDonagh and Grace Dowdall) led by Team Manager Martine Denihan.

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Forrest Road, Swords , Co. Dublin. Ireland , K67 K825
Telephone: +353 (0)1 840 1763 | Email: margaret@forrestlittle.ie

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