The History of Woodstock House
1600
Woodstock Estate is part of Sir Thomas Wentworth’s landholding in Wicklow and South East of Ireland.
1740
The Earl of Aldborough purchased the estate from the descendants of Thomas Wentworth.
1770
Hon. John Stratford, Son of the Earl of Aldborough built Woodstock House.
1780
Arthur Knox, a prominent Justice of the Peace, from Castlerea, appointed High Sheriff for Co Wicklow, purchased the property from John Stratford. He died in 1798 and Woodstock passed to his son John Knox who became High Sheriff in 1809.
1826
Lord Robert Ponsonby Tottenham, Bishop of Clogher, purchased Woodstock. He employed Sir Richard Morrison to design the extensions consisting of the wings. He died in 1850, leaving the Estate to his son, Lieutenant Colonel Charles John Tottenham, who was elected M.P. for Wicklow East. Richard Colley Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1821-1827, rented the house.
1946
Mr. & Mrs. Gerard Van den Berg purchase the property from the Tottenham Family.
1968
Mr. & Mrs. William Grantham Lewis Forwood purchased the Estate.
1980’s
Woodstock House was used as a writing and recording base at various times by many well known musicians, including Mike Oldfield (recording Tubuar Bells II), Rod Stewart, Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi. The House also featured in the RTE TV series Glenroe.
1990
Irish Entrepreneurs purchased the property and employed Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock to design a golf course.
1995
Druids Glen Golf Course opened.
1996
Colin Montgomerie wins the Irish Open at Druids Glen.
1997
Colin Montgomerie wins his second Irish Open at Druids Glen.
1998
David Carter wins the Irish Open, denying Colin Montgomerie a hat-trick of wins in a playoff.
1999
Teenager Sergio Garcia wins his first Tour Event worldwide, capturing the Irish Open at Druids Glen.
2002
Druids Glen builds a 145 bedroom 5 Star Hotel. The Hotel opens with the hosting of the Seve Trophy at Druids Glen.
2003
The sensational Druids Heath championship golf course opens to huge international acclaim. Designed by Pat Ruddy, the course is soon given the title “Nature’s Gift to Golf” by the golfing world’s media.
2004
Druids Heath hosts the TaylorMade 25th Anniversary Event featuring double US Open Champion Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke, Ian Poulter, Sam Torrance and other leading Players.
2005
The Resort is voted European Golf Resort of the Year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).
2006
Druids Heath hosts the Irish PGA Championship, the oldest championship in Irish Golf.
2019
Neville Hotels acquires 5 Star Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort on July 1st, 2019. The acquisition marked Neville Hotels fourth hotel and first golf course for the group at the time.
2022
The Neville Family, as owners of Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort announce a significant investment and renovations to Druids Glen Golf Club.
2023
The restored and enhanced Druids Glen golf course and new clubhouse reopens on 1st June following a major €10 million investment. Now a 7,222-yard par-72 course built to USGA standards, the restoration project involved stripping just over 90,000m2 of topsoil and replacing it. Additionally, the greens required 7,000 tonnes of rootzone, 2,000 tonnes of gravel and 5,000m of drainage. The resort also invested €1.3 million in a modern irrigation system, wall to wall, and upgraded pathways, covering a total of 26,000m2. The project was led by course designer Peter McEvoy OBE along with John Clarkin of Turfgrass and other notable designers and contractors.
2024
Having been refurbished to its former height of elegance and luxury, Woodstock House reopens after renovations in June.
