Matt Ward:
FYI, my impression from playing in Ireland many times is that locals might not have the same idea about "quirk" as Americans who visit once or twice.
Take the famous blind Dell hole at Lahinch. Surely this would qualify as "quirk" in the view of most one time visitors. But, my sense is that locals look at it differently. They believe skill plays a big part of playing the hole well.
The same can be said for some of the famous holes at Dooks. True the par 3 #13 pushes the envelope on "quirk", but locals seem to just play it like any par 3 where a well placed tee shot does really matter - even if first time visitors think the green is absolutely crazy. The closing hole (prior to a reported routing change) is another example. I've never seen a local who believed that anything other than skill was required. But, again, first time visitors think the approach to this green is just plain funny.
I'd make the same observations of a place like Prestwick in Scotland, though sadly I've only spent a few days playing that specific course. The second shot on the famous Cardinal bunker hole has all the characteristics of "quirk" - blindness, a funny landing area even if you find it - but my sense is that members are convinced that skill is the key to overcoming the likely funny bounce you'll get but never see. Prestwick's Alps is another example. Locals told me the key is a well placed drive in the fairway, judgment about wind, club selection and a well struck second shot. In other words, all the things we normally associate with "skill".
It is probably a gross oversimplification but my sense is that folks across the pond tend to appreciate "quirk" more AND believe "skill" has more to do with overcoming it than most American visitors who find playing certain shots humbling or frustrating on the first one or two tries.