Gardaí investigating cause of fire at Killin Park Golf Club

Killin Park

Gardaí are investigating the cause of a fire at the Killin Park Golf Club at Killinbeg just outside Dundalk last night.

The blaze broke out shortly after 9pm with two water tenders and a tanker from Dundalk Fire Station attending. Firefighters spent two hours battling the fire.

The 5,359 yard 18 hole golf course has been closed for the past year and the vacant lounge/bar area was completed gutted in the fire.

The golf course was sold last May for €465,000 for agricultural use, much to the annoyance of its members who were given no notice of the sale.

Gardaí are investigating the possibility that the fire may have been started maliciously. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9335577.

Killin Park Golf Club closes its doors

Killin Park

Killin Park Golf Course outside Dundalk has closed its doors with immediate effect.

The 5,359 yard 18 hole course had been in operation since 1991 but it was announced earlier today that the course has been sold, with the new owner intending to use it for farmland purposes.

Honorary Secretary of the club, Paul Wisniewski, confirmed the news on the club’s Facebook page today and revealed that a members meeting would be held at soon as possible to work out where they now stand.

“We have been informed by representative of the owner of Killin Park that the facility has been sold and that the new owner does not intend to run it as a golf course,” said Paul.

“We are trying to gather as much information as possible and we hope to hold an information meeting for the members possibly this Friday. All members will be notified by text & or email (assuming we have your details).”

As well as amongst its members, Killin was popular with clubs and societies in the area. Bordered on the north by Killin Wood and on the south by the Castletown River, it was the closest golf course to Dundalk town centre, with membership of just €500 for the current year.

News of the closure came as a major shock to those running the club, including captain Paul Hanratty and lady captain Marian Conlon, with the club advertising their planned open day this coming Saturday May 10th on the club’s Facebook page as recently as yesterday.

Also known as Killinbeg, it is not known how many members were currently on the books of the club or how many staff it employed.

Former members of Carnbeg Golf Course at the now closed Park Inn on the Armagh Road will have sympathy for those affected at Killin after their membership was rescinded following a similar sale over six years ago. The hotel then closed for good in 2010.