Best Golf Courses Ireland: Must-Play Links & Courses

My husband’s retirement journey into golf has taken us across Ireland’s most spectacular courses over the past three years. From our first round at Ballybunion to the unforgettable experience at Royal Portrush, we’ve walked the fairways where legends have played. Royal Portrush remains on every golfer’s bucket list—and yes, you’ll need to plan (and save) well in advance for this world-renowned course.

Ireland stands as a premier destination for golf enthusiasts worldwide. The Emerald Isle hosts over 400 golf courses, including some consistently ranked in the world’s top 100 by publications like Golf Digest and Golf Magazine. Whether you’re a single-digit handicapper or weekend warrior, Ireland’s diverse golf offerings—from championship links to parkland gems—promise unforgettable experiences. Here’s our comprehensive guide to Ireland’s finest courses, including current pricing, access information, and insider tips from our personal rounds.

Note: All pricing information verified as of August 2025 and subject to seasonal variations. We recommend confirming rates directly with courses before booking.

What are the best golf courses in Ireland?

Ireland’s finest golf courses blend natural beauty with championship-caliber challenges. During our travels, we’ve found that the legendary links courses hugging the rugged Atlantic coastline offer the most authentic Irish golf experience. Personal favorites from our rounds include Ballybunion’s dramatic dunes and Waterville’s spectacular ocean views. For those seeking parkland excellence, Portmarnock and Royal County Down deliver world-class conditions with stunning scenic backdrops—truly representing golf at its finest.

Why is Ireland famous for golf?

Ireland’s golf reputation stems from its remarkable natural landscape and rich golfing heritage dating back to the 1880s. According to Fáilte Ireland, the country boasts over 400 golf courses, with many consistently ranking among the world’s top 100 courses. The dramatic coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea provides ideal conditions for links golf, while the temperate maritime climate ensures year-round playability. Ireland’s golf courses have hosted major championships, including The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2019.

What should I know before playing golf in Ireland?

Irish weather remains famously unpredictable—pack layers and quality rain gear regardless of forecast. Most premium courses require advance booking, particularly during peak season (April-October). From our experience, booking 2-3 months ahead ensures availability at your preferred times.

Golf etiquette in Ireland emphasizes pace of play and course respect. Many courses maintain traditional dress codes, so pack collared shirts and proper golf attire. Consider hiring a caddie at historic courses like Ballybunion or Royal County Down for invaluable local knowledge and course management tips.

Are there any famous golf tournaments held in Ireland?

Ireland hosts several prestigious tournaments annually. The DP World Tour’s Irish Open, currently sponsored by Horizon, typically takes place in July and rotates between premier venues. The Irish Amateur Open attracts top amateur talent each August.

Royal Portrush made history hosting The Open Championship in 2019, won by Shane Lowry. The course previously hosted The Open in 1951, making it the only Irish venue to stage golf’s oldest major championship.

Can you recommend a good golf resort in Ireland?

Adare Manor stands as Ireland’s premier golf resort, featuring Tom Fazio’s redesigned championship course that will host the 2027 Ryder Cup. The luxury resort combines five-star accommodations with world-class golf facilities.

Other notable golf resorts include:

Mount Juliet Estate – Jack Nicklaus design in County Kilkenny

Druids Glen Resort – “Ireland’s Augusta” in County Wicklow

Slieve Russell Hotel – Championship course in County Cavan

Who are some famous Irish golfers and where do they play in Ireland?

Ireland has produced numerous world-class professional golfers who’ve achieved major championship success:

Rory McIlroy
Achievements: Four-time major champion (2011 U.S. Open, 2012 PGA Championship, 2014 Open Championship, 2014 PGA Championship)
Irish Connections: Member of Holywood Golf Club in Northern Ireland, where he developed his game

Shane Lowry
Achievements: 2019 Open Championship winner at Royal Portrush
Irish Connections: Member of Esker Hills Golf Club in County Offaly

Pádraig Harrington
Achievements: Three-time major champion (2007-2008 Open Championships, 2008 PGA Championship)
Irish Connections: Associated with Stackstown Golf Club in Dublin

Graeme McDowell
Achievements: 2010 U.S. Open champion
Irish Connections: Learned golf at Rathmore Golf Club in Northern Ireland

Can I take my own golf clubs to Ireland from the USA or Canada?

Yes, major airlines accommodate golf clubs as checked baggage. Here’s what you need to know based on current airline policies:

Check Airline Policies: Most airlines count golf bags toward checked baggage allowance, though some charge additional fees ($50-150 USD typically)

Pack Properly: Use hard-shell travel cases like Club Glove or SKB Cases for maximum protection

Weight Limits: Standard limit is 50 pounds (23kg) for most airlines

Insurance: Consider travel insurance for valuable clubs through providers like Travel Guard

Customs: Personal golf equipment enters Ireland duty-free under Revenue.ie personal effects regulations

Alternative: Many Irish courses offer premium rental sets (Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist) for €40-60 per round

17 of the best golf courses in Ireland

Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course), County Kerry

Location: Ballybunion, County Kerry, on Ireland’s southwest coast
Website: ballybuniongolfclub.com

The Ballybunion Old Course consistently ranks among the world’s greatest links courses in Golf Digest’s World Rankings. This natural masterpiece features towering dunes, undulating fairways, and breathtaking Atlantic Ocean views. The back nine is particularly renowned, with holes carved into the rugged coastline that have tested champions for over a century.

Tom Watson famously called Ballybunion “a course on which many golf architects should live and play before they build golf courses.” The course measures 6,593 yards from the championship tees with a par of 71.

Current Rates (2025): €215-270 during peak season (April-October), €145-185 off-season
Booking: Official tee time booking

Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland

Location: Dunluce Road, Portrush, County Antrim
Website: royalportrushgolfclub.com

Royal Portrush holds the distinction as the only Irish course to host The Open Championship, most recently in 2019 when Shane Lowry claimed victory. Harry Colt’s Dunluce Links design offers championship-caliber challenges with stunning views of the North Atlantic and nearby Giant’s Causeway.

The course measures 7,317 yards from the tips and features the famous par-3 14th hole “Calamity Corner,” one of golf’s most demanding short holes.

Current Rates (2025): £95-350 depending on season and tee time
Booking: Essential to book well in advance via official website

Old Head Golf Links, County Cork

Location: Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork
Website: oldhead.com

Perched on a dramatic peninsula jutting into the Atlantic, Old Head offers one of golf’s most spectacular settings. Ron Kirby and Paddy Merrigan’s design features nine holes along cliff edges with 220-degree ocean views. The course presents both visual drama and strategic challenges, with Atlantic winds adding complexity to every shot.

Current Rates (2025): €395 per round (no twilight rates)
Note: Advance booking essential; no walk-ins accepted
Booking: Official reservations

Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris Links), County Donegal

Location: Sheephaven Bay, Rosapenna, Downings
Website: rosapenna.ie

This historic links course, designed by legendary Old Tom Morris in 1891, represents authentic links golf in County Donegal’s rugged landscape on the Wild Atlantic Way. Updated while maintaining its traditional character, the course features natural dunes, rolling fairways, and challenging greens set against Sheephaven Bay and surrounding mountains.

Current Rates (2025): €200 per round
Package Deals: Available with sister courses Sandy Hills and St. Patrick’s Links

Enniscrone Golf Club, County Sligo

Location: Enniscrone, County Sligo
Website: enniscronegolf.com

Enniscrone’s Dunes Course in Sligo is originally designed by Eddie Hackett and enhanced by Donald Steel, winds through towering sand dunes with spectacular views of Killala Bay. The course is renowned for dramatic elevation changes, strategic bunkering, and fast-running fairways that reward creative shot-making.

Current Rates (2025): €135 per round year-round
Special Feature: The course plays to different pars depending on wind conditions

Carne Golf Links, County Mayo

Location: Belmullet, County Mayo
Website: carnegolflinks.com

Eddie Hackett’s design at Carne in Mayo represents links golf in its purest form. Set among massive sand dunes in Ireland’s remote northwest, the course offers an untamed, natural golf experience. The wild Atlantic setting and ever-changing winds create unique challenges on every round.

Current Rates (2025): €65-140 depending on season
Best Value: Exceptional championship golf at accessible pricing

The Island Golf Club, County Dublin

Location: Corballis, Donabate, County Dublin
Website: theislandgolfclub.com

Just 30 minutes from Dublin city center, The Island offers a hidden links gem redesigned by Martin Hawtree. Set on a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, the course features rolling dunes, strategic bunkering, and fast-running fairways with views of Lambay Island.

Current Rates (2025): €270 weekdays, €295 weekends
Access: Dublin Bus route 33B serves the course

Portsalon Golf Club, County Donegal

Location: Fanad Peninsula, County Donegal
Website: portsalongolfclub.com

Located on Lough Swilly’s shores, Portsalon combines links and parkland elements in one of Ireland’s most scenic settings. Originally designed by Charles Thompson and updated by Pat Ruddy, the course offers spectacular mountain and coastal views throughout the round.

Current Rates (2025): €70-170 depending on season
Highlight: The par-5 2nd hole with views across Lough Swilly

County Donegal Golf Club (Murvagh), County Donegal

Location: Murvagh, Laghey, County Donegal
Website: donegalgolfclub.ie

Eddie Hackett’s design sits on a secluded peninsula surrounded by Donegal Bay and the Blue Stack Mountains. This hidden gem offers undulating fairways, strategic bunkering, and fast greens, with consistent Atlantic winds adding natural challenge to the layout.

Current Rates (2025): €100-120 during peak season
Value Rating: Outstanding championship links at moderate pricing

County Sligo Golf Club (Rosses Point), County Sligo

Location: Rosses Point, County Sligo
Website: countysligogolfclub.ie

Known simply as “Rosses Point,” Harry Colt’s championship links design offers stunning views of Benbulben Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. The course combines strategic challenges with natural beauty, featuring narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and elevated greens that test every aspect of your game.

Current Rates (2025): €150-180 during peak season
Tournament History: Regular host of national championships

County Louth Golf Club (Baltray), County Louth

Location: Baltray, County Louth
Website: countylouthgolfclub.com

“Baltray” has hosted the Irish Open multiple times and represents classic links golf on Ireland’s east coast. Tom Simpson’s original design, refined by Eddie Hackett, features rolling dunes, strategic bunkering, and fast greens just meters from the Irish Sea.

Current Rates (2025): €150-180 during peak season
Pro Tip: Play early morning to avoid afternoon winds off the Irish Sea

Royal County Down Golf Club, Northern Ireland

Location: Newcastle, County Down
Website: royalcountydown.org

Consistently ranked the world’s most beautiful golf course by Golf Magazine, Royal County Down’s Championship Course presents links golf at its most challenging and scenic. Set beneath the Mourne Mountains with the Irish Sea as backdrop, the course features blind shots, deep bunkers, and narrow fairways lined with golden gorse.

Current Rates (2025): €250-300 during peak season
Caddie Recommendation: Highly advised for first-time visitors due to blind shots

Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course), County Clare

Location: Lahinch, County Clare
Website: lahinchgolf.com

Lahinch’s Old Course combines Old Tom Morris’s original routing with Alister MacKenzie’s strategic enhancements. Famous for the blind par-3 “Dell” hole and massive dunes, the course offers classic links challenges with views toward the Cliffs of Moher.

Current Rates (2025): €200-220 during peak season
Local Tradition: Watch the goats on the course—they predict weather changes better than forecasters!

Portmarnock Golf Club, County Dublin

Location: Portmarnock, County Dublin
Website: portmarnockgolfclub.ie

This classic links course has hosted over 60 major tournaments, including multiple Irish Opens. The course features strategic design with narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and challenging greens, all set in a pristine natural environment free from housing or commercial development.

Current Rates (2025): €220-250 during peak season
Tournament Pedigree: Former venue for Walker Cup and European Tour events

Waterville Golf Links, County Kerry

Location: Waterville, Ring of Kerry
Website: watervillegolflinks.ie

Eddie Hackett’s design, enhanced by Tom Fazio, offers spectacular Atlantic Ocean views on every hole. The course features wide fairways, large greens, and strategic challenges enhanced by the dramatic Kerry coastline setting.

Current Rates (2025): €200-220 during peak season
Celebrity Connection: Tiger Woods’ favorite European course for practice rounds

Tralee Golf Club, County Kerry

Location: Tralee, County Kerry
Website: traleegolfclub.com

Arnold Palmer’s only Irish design hugs the Barrow coastline with the back nine featuring holes carved into cliff faces. The course offers risk-reward opportunities with panoramic ocean views and Palmer’s signature strategic bunkering.

Current Rates (2025): €180-200 during peak season
Signature Hole: Par-4 12th plays along cliff edge with carry over Atlantic inlet

The European Club, County Wicklow

Location: Brittas Bay, County Wicklow
Website: theeuropeanclub.com

Pat Ruddy’s unique design features 20 holes (play 18 of your choice) with deep bunkers, rolling dunes, and Irish Sea views. The course offers pure links golf just one hour from Dublin in the scenic “Garden of Ireland.”

Current Rates (2025): €180-200 during peak season
Unique Feature: Choose which 18 holes to play from 20 available

Tips for Golfing in Ireland

Book Well in Advance: Premium courses require 2-3 months advance booking during peak season (April-October). Use official course websites for guaranteed tee times.

Weather Preparation: Pack layers, quality rain gear, and windproof jackets. Irish weather changes quickly, especially on coastal courses.

Consider Golf Tours: Companies like Carr Golf and Golf Travel Ireland offer comprehensive packages including transportation, accommodations, and guaranteed tee times.

Transportation: Rent a car for maximum flexibility, or book golf taxi services available from most courses.

Caddie Services: Available at most premium courses (€50-80 plus tip). Highly recommended for first visits, especially at courses with blind shots.

Tipping: Standard caddie tip is €20-30. Restaurant staff appreciate 10-15% for good service.

Currency: Most Republic of Ireland courses accept euros; Northern Ireland courses typically use pounds sterling. Many accept credit cards, but carry cash for caddies and pro shop purchases.

Playing golf in Ireland transcends sport—it’s a cultural immersion combining world-class courses, breathtaking scenery, and legendary Irish hospitality. From Kerry’s dramatic coastlines to Down’s serene beauty, Ireland’s golf courses create memories lasting far beyond the final putt. While green fees at premium venues reflect their world-class status, the experience of walking fairways where legends have played remains truly priceless.

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