Harper Lin
Ireland is renowned for its golf courses, with one source claiming that it is an iconic golfing destination. The country has been named International Golf Destination of the Year on several occasions by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. It is home to some of the world's best golfers, including Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Leona Maguire. Ireland has a variety of courses, from those designed by golfing legends to holes that challenge even the most seasoned players. With its dramatic coastline and stunning scenery, it's no surprise that Ireland offers sweeping ocean vistas from many of its courses.
If you're looking for a central location with top-ranked golf and a lively cultural scene, Dublin is the place to go. Courses within an hour's drive of the city centre include Portmarnock Golf Club, a revered links course that's often ranked in the world's top 100, and The Island, which has earned acclaim for its wildly fun links. For those seeking rugged, less-travelled authenticity, Northwest Ireland may be a better fit. This region includes the former hidden gem Portsalon Golf Club, and The Palmer Course at The K Club, one of Ireland's most established professional tournament courses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of golf clubs | Over 400 |
| Natural links courses | A third of the world's total |
| Championship courses | Several |
| Annual visitors | 240,000+ |
| Notable golfers | Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Paul McGinley, Padraig Harrington, Leona Maguire, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson |
| Notable actors | Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Bill Murray |
| Notable courses | Royal Portrush, Lahinch, Mount Juliet, Royal County Down, Portstewart, Castlerock, Ardglass, Portmarnock, The European Club, Waterville, The Island, County Louth, County Sligo, Ballybunion, Old Head, Tralee, St Patrick's at Rosapenna |
| Notable regions | Southwest Ireland, Dublin, Northwest Ireland, Northern Ireland |
| Upcoming events | The 153rd Open in Royal Portrush (2025), the Ryder Cup in Adare Manor (2027) |
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What You'll Learn
- Northern Ireland: Home to two of the world's top-ranked courses, including Royal Portrush
- Southwest Ireland: Features big names like Ballybunion and Waterville, along with stunning views
- Northwest Ireland: A rugged and less expensive region with links courses and coastal retreats
- Dublin: One of Europe's liveliest capitals, offering a blend of city life and top-tier golf courses
- County Sligo: An exhilarating west coast links course situated in the heart of Yeats country
Northern Ireland: Home to two of the world's top-ranked courses, including Royal Portrush
Northern Ireland is a premier golfing destination, boasting over 400 golf clubs, including a third of the world's natural links courses, and exceptional championship courses. It is, therefore, no surprise that Northern Ireland is home to two of the world's top-ranked courses, including the prestigious Royal Portrush Golf Club.
Located in County Antrim, Royal Portrush is nestled in a triangle of giant sandhills, offering magnificent views in all directions. To the west, golfers can admire the hills of Donegal, while the Isle of Islay and Southern Hebrides come into view in the north, and the iconic Giant's Causeway and Skerries can be seen in the east. Adding to the allure, the courses are overlooked by the ruins of the 13th-century Dunluce Castle, which gives its name to one of the club's two links courses, the renowned Dunluce Links.
The Dunluce Links is considered one of the best courses in the world, providing a challenging and rewarding golfing experience. It has been ranked highly by several publications, including Golf World and Golf Magazine, and has hosted prestigious tournaments such as the Open Championship and the Irish Open. The second course at Royal Portrush is the Valley Links, which is shorter and less demanding, providing a more relaxed golfing experience for members and guests.
Beyond Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland boasts other exceptional golfing destinations. For example, Portstewart, located next to Royal Portrush, offers a classic seaside resort experience with pubs, fish and chip shops, and arcade machines. Additionally, golfers can explore nearby Portrush, which hosted the Irish Open in 2017, and the renowned Royal County Down, known for its challenging layout. With its stunning scenery, world-class courses, and welcoming atmosphere, Northern Ireland is a golfer's paradise, offering an unforgettable experience for enthusiasts of the sport.
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Southwest Ireland: Features big names like Ballybunion and Waterville, along with stunning views
Southwest Ireland is a golfer's paradise, boasting some of the country's most renowned courses, including the famous Ballybunion and Waterville. With its stunning scenery and world-class links, it's no wonder that this region attracts golfers from all over the globe.
Let's start with Ballybunion Golf Club, nestled on the northwest coast of County Kerry. This club offers two challenging and unique links golf courses, set against a breathtaking backdrop of sprawling sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The Old Course, with its natural and mystical setting, has enchanted golfers worldwide, including the legendary Tom Watson. The course presents a variety of holes, from the calm start to the thrilling back nine, which takes golfers through a dune-filled adventure.
Waterville Golf Links, situated at the far end of the Ring of Kerry, offers a picture-perfect setting of mountains and ocean. This course, designed by none other than Jack Mulcahy's friends, 1948 Masters champion Claude Harmon and renowned architect Eddie Hackett, boasts a stunning, remote location on a promontory surrounded by the sea. The front nine provides a relatively flat terrain, while the back nine weaves through towering dunes, offering a mix of par threes, fours, and fives that will challenge and delight golfers.
The southwest of Ireland also showcases other remarkable courses, such as Lahinch Golf Club, one of the country's oldest, dating back to 1892. Located in County Clare, Lahinch provides golfers with two excellent links courses and a rugged, distinctive, and varied golfing experience. Tralee Golf Club, designed by Arnold Palmer, is another standout in the region, offering dazzling scenery from its clubhouse perched at the highest point. The course boasts towering dunes, deep hollows, and azure waters, creating a breathtaking setting for a challenging game.
The region is also home to Dooks, celebrating its enchanting setting with views of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, the Dingle Peninsula, and Castlemaine Harbour. With its quirks, character, and professional standards, Dooks presents a unique golfing experience where strategy triumphs over brute force. Southwest Ireland truly is a golfer's haven, offering a perfect blend of renowned courses, stunning scenery, and a rich cultural experience.
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Northwest Ireland: A rugged and less expensive region with links courses and coastal retreats
Northwest Ireland is a rugged, beautiful, and remote region, offering links golf in its purest form and at a fraction of the price. The area is known as the Wild Atlantic Way, and it provides incredible natural scenery and spectacular links courses. From Galway on the west coast up to Ballyliffin at the northern tip of Ireland, golfers will find untouched and majestic landscapes, spectacular scenery, rich history, and legendary Irish hospitality.
Golfers can enjoy the courses in clusters, with Carne, Enniscrone, and Rosses Point (County Sligo) accessible from various hotels and resorts in Westport, Sligo, and Letterkenny. Further north, golfers can access Donegal, Rosapenna, and Ballyliffin from Lough Eske Castle, the Station House Hotel, or the Rosapenna Resort itself.
Carne Golf Links, located on the west coast, has attracted a loyal and growing fan base since its debut in the 1990s. Designed by Irish architect Eddie Hackett, the course offers impressive views of the Atlantic and towering dunes. Enniscrone, located near Carne, provides a roller-coaster golf experience through some of Northwest Ireland's tallest dunes.
County Sligo Golf Club, or Rosses Point, is known as the "grand dame" of golf courses in Northwest Ireland. This exhilarating west coast links course is situated in the heart of Yeats country. Donegal, with its scenic coast and uncrowded links, is another must-visit destination. The Donegal Golf Club offers impressive views of the Atlantic and mountains, along with varying levels of difficulty for amateur and professional players.
Finally, the newest links course at Rosapenna, St. Patrick's Links, has put Northwest Ireland on the must-play list for golfers worldwide. Set on the Inishowen Peninsula, Ballyliffin Golf Club offers a warm welcome and two outstanding links courses. Ballyliffin is also conveniently located between other top golf destinations, including Portstewart, Royal Portrush, Narin & Portnoo, and Rosapenna.
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Dublin: One of Europe's liveliest capitals, offering a blend of city life and top-tier golf courses
Dublin is one of Europe's liveliest capitals, offering a blend of city life and top-tier golf courses. With a third of Leinster's 168 golf clubs located in County Dublin, it is a golfer's paradise. The region around Dublin and Ireland's East Coast is rich in golf courses, with links and parkland courses easily reachable from the city.
One of the most well-known courses in Dublin is Portmarnock Golf Club, located just 10 miles from the city. It is consistently ranked among the best courses in the world and has hosted national and international competitions for over a hundred years. The course offers a classic layout and incredible views, with firm fairways, strategic bunkering, and ocean views on almost every hole. Another highly regarded course is The European Club, nestled along the rugged coastline of County Wicklow, about an hour south of Dublin. This world-renowned links course combines stunning sea views with a modern take on traditional links golf.
For those seeking a more traditional golf experience, the Royal Dublin Golf Club, located on Bull Island in Dublin Bay, is Ireland's oldest links course. The island, formed in the early 1800s, provides a perfect sandy terrain for a links course, utilising the natural twists and turns of the island. The fairways can be narrow, and the wind can be a challenge, but the greens are always exceptional.
Dublin also offers a variety of luxurious modern resorts and traditional clubs. The K Club, located in the heart of County Kildare, just 30 minutes from Dublin, is a five-star golf and spa resort with two championship courses. The Palmer North course hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup and multiple Irish Opens, while the Palmer South course offers a newer layout with its own unique challenges. Another luxury option is the Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, set on a 200-acre estate overlooking the Velvet Strand. The on-site course, designed by Bernhard Langer, offers a classic links experience with firm fairways, pot bunkers, and coastal winds.
With its delightful mix of golf courses, luxurious resorts, and lively city life, Dublin is a top destination for golfers looking for a blend of entertainment and high-class golf experiences.
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County Sligo: An exhilarating west coast links course situated in the heart of Yeats country
Ireland is home to over 400 golf clubs, including a third of the world's natural links courses, and a selection of exceptional championship courses in amazing locations. It has been named International Golf Destination of the Year on more than one occasion by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.
County Sligo Golf Club, or Rosses Point, is an exhilarating west coast links course situated in the heart of Yeats Country. The course started out with a nine-hole course, designed by George Combe, and opened for play in 1894. At the turn of the 20th century, Willie Campbell extended the course to 18 holes. The famous Colt and Alison partnership remodelled the course in 1927.
County Sligo is the home of the West of Ireland Amateur Championship and has hosted other important amateur events. In 1981, Declan Branigan won the Irish Amateur Close Championship at County Sligo, becoming the first Irishman to win three major Irish amateur titles in the same year.
The course offers a mesmerising coastal golfing experience. The views of the Darty Mountains and Benbulben, Sligo's limestone "Table Mountain", are simply beautiful. Drumcliffe Bay sweeps around the golf course. With immaculate greens and a challenging course, it presents an enjoyable play for all. The 12th hole is an iconic hole that features strong bunkering in the 'dog-leg' from the tee and a new greenside bunker. The 2nd hole is a par four with a panoramic view from the green. The 10th and 11th holes are also par fours with views of Benbulben Mountain.
The course has inspired many, including W.B. Yeats, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the best golf courses in Ireland include Carne Golf Links, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Portmarnock, and St Patrick's at Rosapenna.
The East of Ireland has a series of excellent golf courses, some of which include The European Club, located in the garden of Ireland, and County Louth Golf Club, named after the local fishing village of Baltray.
Carne Links in Belmullet, County Mayo, is a spectacular golf course owned and operated by a community-run company called Turasoireacht Iorrais Teoranta. The course is situated along the magnificent Atlantic coastline and offers 27 holes, including 18 original holes designed by Eddie Hackett and nine newer holes.
