HE designed the golf course - and now he's bought a house there with his brother and his dad as a breakaway destination from the pressures of life. Golfer Paul McGinley's main home is in Sunningdale, where he lives with his wife Alison (the yummy-mummy of the GWAGS and an ex-professional golfer in her own right.) But he does hope, at some stage in the future, to return to Ireland full time. "The golf course isn't open yet in Macreddin, but the back nine are opening on June 30," says Paul. "Because the course is set amongst pine trees it will have maturity from day one and I intend to have a round of golf with Alison, myself and my family as soon as possible. I have hit test drives on most holes on the golf course already," the golfer adds.

There are few people now who have not heard of Macreddin Village. For a tiny place, in the heart of the beautiful Wicklow countryside, this is quite an achievement.

Some couples come here to tie the knot in the miniscule chapel. Others come to chill out in the luxurious spa. Yet more are eyeing the new Paul McGinley-designed golf course and still others decide to eat at The Strawberry Tree - Ireland's only certified organic restaurant.

"Every time I visit Macreddin I insist on dinner in the Strawberry Tree Restaurant. The food ethos of Macreddin Village along with the fantastic natural scenery were two of the big reasons that I chose this as the site for my first golf course design," says Paul.

For most people, Macreddin first came to notice as the place where one of the original authentic Farmers' Markets was held. For the past few summers people have flocked here, enjoying not only the ambience and the food but also watching falconry and taking part in archery in the grounds of Brook Lodge.

Paul hasn't yet gone to the Farmers' Market because its on Sundays, "and I'm hopefully playing tournament golf on most Sundays between spring and autumn. But I know my extended family are big fans of the market."

The 18-hole championship golf course is being developed in tandem with 22 luxury residences on generous individual sites, placed in key positions on the course, taking advantage of the stunning views and aspects of the newly laid out greens and fairways.

These large detached houses, which come in three different house types, will be fully managed by the Brooklodge Hotel.

There are just eight properties remaining to be sold here - with prices from €1,650,000.

One of Paul's other loves - music - is catered for in his new home, which comes with state of the art integrated cabling and sound system.

Developed by Fusio, the Macreddin Village project is within easy reach of Dublin, via Aughrim, Rathdrum and Rathnew - it is approximately 75km from Donnybrook.

The stylish houses are by Lindal Cedar Homes, a world leader in cedar homes founded in 1945. This firm is already responsible for more than 50,000 homes worldwide using its post-and-beam designs.