Mt. Juliet is a very high end 1,500-acre country estate outside the village of Thomastown in County Kilkenny some 35 miles north of Waterford and 75 miles southwest of Dublin. It offers several styles of accommodations both in the main house and in extended-stay lodges and villas. The resort also has conference facilities for small meetings. Besides golf, the amenities include fishing, trap shooting, archery, horseback riding, and health and fitness facilities that include an indoor pool. One of the most popular activities among the guests is a par-53 putting course. No other resort I've visited has anything quite like this. Mt. Juliet is set on peaceful, secluded rolling countryside and is first-class in every respect. I loved it.

The par 72 Nicklaus signature course opened in 1991 and hosted the Irish Open for three years beginning in 1993. It measures from 5,554 to 7,112 yards. From the white tees it is 6,683 and from the greens 6,286.

Not every hole is a gem but many are. The 2nd is a beauty of 419 yards, requiring a drive over a creek to a landing area made tight by a severe right-hand dogleg. No. 3 is 182 yards with a lake from the tee box to the green with a bail-out on the right. The back 9 begins with a marvelous par 5 of 553 yards. No. 11 is a short but terrific par 3 of 169 yards that plays over a pond to an elevated green that may be the most sloped on the course. No. 13 is as visually exciting as it is challenging.

Magnificent is how I would describe the total ambiance here. It isn't links golf but it's fun golf on one of Nicklaus' best resort courses. For that and for the convenience, variety of activities and service, it should be a favorite of many American golfers in Ireland.