Irish golf architect Jeff Howes has started construction on a new 18 hole course at Carigglas in County Longford. The 7,000 yard par 72 course is being built on old-established parkland by local developer Tom Kearns.

"It's very gentle land with some nice mature trees," said Howes.

"What's really nice about the site is that we are able to get sufficient falls for good drainage without having to do major earthworks. It's great to be able to do a project without having to move too much earth." Howes expects to finish the construction of the Carigglas course in early summer 2007, for play in 2008, though given favourable conditions he hopes for an earlier completion, and perhaps some play next year.

The Irish golf market, which expanded dramatically during the 1990s, remains buoyant, according to the architect. "There are still lots of people moving to Ireland and the economy is still strong," said Howes. "So there is pent-up demand for housing, and I think that much future golf development in Ireland will be housingdriven, rather than resorts."