
Best Golf Courses in Ireland: Top 20
- Royal County Down
- Royal Portrush
- Ballybunion – Old Course
- Portmarnock – Championship
- Lahinch
- Waterville
- The European Club
- Baltray, County Louth
- Rosses Point, County Sligo
- Doonbeg
Full Answer
What are the most famous golf courses in Ireland?
Mar 09, 2021 · In my case, helping to identify the ten best courses in Ireland, I haven’t played yet: 1-Castlerock; 2-Annesley; 3-Headfort (New); 4-Rosslare; 5-Hogg’s Head; 6-Ardglass; 7-St. Anne’s; 8-Northwest; 9-Nairn & Portnoo; 10-Ballinrobe.
What is the best golf course in Northern Ireland?
At Discovering Ireland we have put together a list of Ireland's best golf courses ideal for the perfect golf trip. Review our guide to golf in Ireland, check out the many golf resorts and Golf Hotels in Ireland and begin planning your golfing vacation to Ireland.. Besides the scenery and the "forty shades of green", there are over 300 golf courses on the island of Ireland.
What are the best courses in Ireland?
Jul 03, 2019 · Matt Ginella's 10 best golf courses in Ireland-Northern Ireland Royal County Down (Championship Course) The 9th hole at Royal County Down is one of the world's most awe-inspiring. Matt Ginella/Golf Advisor Resting peacefully at the base of the Mountains of Mourne, Royal County Down wreaks havoc on the holes in your game.
What are the best golf courses in Illinois?
Apr 04, 2022 · I have had the good fortune to play them all, and Lahinch is my personal favorite and #1 in the Republic of Ireland. Waterville is pure and Carne is a great experience. In my opinion, Doonbeg is not a top 10 course and could easily be replaced by Baltray or Old Head, which has a spectacular and unique setting. Ballyliffin is also rock solid.

What are the top 10 golf courses in Ireland?
Top 10 best golf courses in IrelandRoyal County Down, Co. Down – tee off at the Mountains of Mourne.Royal Portrush, Co. ... Lahinch, Co. ... Ballybunion, Co. Kerry – it's got that special something. ... Portmarnock, Co. ... Rosses Point, Co. ... Ballyliffin, Co. ... Waterville Golf Links, Co. Kerry – a genuine link. ... More items...•Apr 10, 2020
Where should I golf in Ireland?
Dublin. The best golf near Dublin includes no less than six world-class links courses, as well as a trio of great parkland offerings that are worthy of play. The headliner here – Portmarnock Golf Club – is a 19-time host of the Irish Open. Numerous direct flights from the states eases the logistics of travel.Sep 17, 2020
What is the most beautiful golf course in Ireland?
Ireland's Most Beautiful Golf Courses1 – Tralee Golf Club.2 – Ballyliffin Golf Club. ... 3 – Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links. ... 4 – Ballybunion Golf Club. ... 5 – Waterville Golf Links. ... 6 – County Louth Golf Club. ... 7 – The European Club. ... 8 – Trump International Golf Links – Doonbeg. ... More items...•Mar 13, 2019
Is Topgolf in Ireland?
Lahinch hosted the Irish Open for the first time in 2019 and has been at the pinnacle of Irish golf since the great game was first played there in 1892....Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course)Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course) factsLocationCo. Clare, IrelandLength6,950 yardsPar723 more rows
Does Ireland have good golf courses?
However, there is no doubt whatsoever that Ireland possesses many of the finest golf courses in the world and is quite rightly one of the premier golf destinations thanks to household names such as Ballybunion, Lahinch and Portmarnock.
What is the oldest golf course in Ireland?
Ireland's oldest Golf CoursesThe Royal Curragh Golf Club, is Ireland's oldest golf course. ... Royal Belfast Golf Club was founded in 1881. ... The Royal Dublin Golf Club was founded in 1885 and is Ireland's third oldest golf club. ... Dooks is one of the oldest Golf Clubs in Ireland and is located in exquisite surroundings.More items...•Nov 3, 2019
What country invented golf?
ScotlandGolf originated from a game played on the eastern coast of Scotland, in an area close to the royal capital of Edinburgh. In those early days players would attempt to hit a pebble over sand dunes and around tracks using a bent stick or club.
Is Royal Portrush open to the public?
We are delighted to welcome visitors from all over the world to visit Royal Portrush and participate in a world class golfing experience in a warm and welcoming environment against the stunning backdrop of the Causeway Coast & Glens area of outstanding natural beauty.
Where does the PGA play in Ireland?
The Golfing Union of Ireland (GUI) was established in 1891, making it the oldest national golfing union in the world. Based at Carton House, Maynooth, as of 2018, it represented 430 golf clubs and 170,000 members.
Who is the best golfer in Ireland?
As record-breaking Irish golfers go, Graeme McDowell, or G-Mac, is up there. Currently playing on the PGA Tour and European Tour (at the time of writing), McDowell is perhaps best known for his victory at the 2010 US Open.Nov 12, 2021
Why is golf most popular in Ireland?
This gives Ireland the advantage over Scotland and England, where many courses are private. Therefore, it is cheap to take up golf as a hobby. There is something to suit every budget. This is why it is popular around Ireland.Jul 13, 2012
What golf course has the highest slope rating in Ireland?
The Albatros Course has a hefty slope rating of 155, which is the highest slope rating a course can receive.May 26, 2021
How many golf courses are there in Ireland?
According to the R&A's Golf Around the World 2019 report, there are 494 golf courses across the entire island ...
When did golf start in Ireland?
During the nineteenth century the Republic of Ireland, or Éire, was part of the United Kingdom and records state that British troops brought golf to the Emerald Isle in the 1850s.
What is Ballyliffin Golf Club?
Ballyliffin Golf Club is often described as “the Ballybunion of the North” or “the Dornoch of Ireland” and the reason is simple; all the aforementioned are set amidst towering natural sand dunes.
Who built the Trump International Golf Links?
Trump International Golf Links - Ireland. Doonbeg is the course that Greg Norman built, but it was redesigned by Martin Hawtree over a two-year period after the property was acquired in 2014 by Donald Trump and renamed Trump International Golf Links.
How many courses are there in Northern Ireland?
We believe there are approximately 100 courses in Northern Ireland, therefore the Republic of Ireland may lay claim to around 400 courses (give or take) which are scatted far and wide across the Emerald Isle.
When was Curragh Golf Club founded?
The Curragh Golf Club (now Royal Curragh Golf Club after the club finally decided in 2013 to use the royal title that was granted in 1910) was founded in 1858, twenty-three years before the formation of Royal Belfast (1881) and twenty-seven years before the formation of Royal Dublin (1885).
Where is the European Club?
The European Club is located in the garden of Ireland, between the coastal towns of Wicklow and Arklow, about 30 miles south of Dublin. Read More >>.
1. Dromoland Castle
We took the carriage and had a private tour of the grounds including some of the golf course (which our husbands love...
3. Waterville Golf Links
Great links course with great holes and beautiful views Can’t miss playing here if you are in the area New club house...
4. Old Head Golf Links
Set in a countryside adjoining the sea the spectacular vistas, flora, ambience of the clubhouse, and the heliport to...
5. Lahinch Golf Club
Had a wonderful round of fantastic links golf and a great senior caddie telling good stories and game plan on each tee.
6. Druids Glen Golf Course
Played Druids Glen recently and was easily one of my most favourite courses to ever visit.
7. Esker Hills Golf Club
The welcome was super, customer care was super, the course was super and in unbelievable condition and yes, it is hilly.
8. Tralee Golf Club
I love scenic courses and this great Arnold Palmer design is in a perfect location on the coast.
What is the history of the golf course in Ireland?
With a golf history dating back to 1889, this unique course is set among exposed sand dunes and the ocean. Traditionally the land was useless for farming, but luckily it was perfect for golf. What a journey this place has been on. It’s truly one of the top of all Ireland golf courses.
Where is Golf Links in Dublin?
5. Portmarnock, Co. Dublin – a stone’s throw from Dublin Airport. Conveniently located north of Dublin, along the beautiful coastline, this is one of the most respected golf courses not only in Ireland but worldwide. Address: Golf Links Rd, Stapolin, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, D13 KD96.
Is Lahinch in Ireland a good golf course?
Lahinch, Co. Clare – one of the Ireland golf courses worthy of its ranking. Not only is Lahinch a haven for surfers, but golfers absolutely love this spot, and for a good reason. Ranked among the World Top 50, this pristine spot has been around since 1852 to cater to all tour golfing goals.
How many holes are there in Enniscrone Golf Club?
The golf course now boasts 27 holes, thanks to an additional extension in the early 2000s.
How many acres are there in Rosslare Golf Club?
The course at the Rosslare Golf Club is considered by many to be typical of an old-fashioned links course. It was founded in 1905 as an 18-hole course on 58 acres, but members quickly realized that the area was too small for such a course and by the mid-1920s, a new 18-hole was built.
What is links golf?
A links course is the oldest type of golf course, which was first developed in Scotland . “Links” refers to areas of coastal sand and dunes, which are characteristic of many courses on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, for example. If you’re looking for the best affordable golf courses in Ireland, it’s best to go anywhere from April through October.
How many holes are there in the Wild Atlantic Way?
While this gem on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is only a 9-hole, the stunning scenery more than makes up for it. The course is located next to the Blue-flag Keel Strand. As you play the course, you’ll get fantastic views of the nearby Slievemore mountain, Blacksod Bay as well as the Nephin mountain range.
Where is Colette from Ireland on a Budget?
Colette is a County Sligo native who created Ireland on a Budget to provide her readers with money-saving tips on how to get to Ireland and then save even more when they're there. She's a professional copywriter who lives in the New York area with her husband and two children.
Where did Amelia Earhart land?
Did you know that on May 21 st, 1932, Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, landed on a farm in Culmore, north of Derry City instead of her intended destination, which was Paris?
How many acres are there in Farnham Estate Spa?
You don’t have to stay at the Farnham Estate Spa & Golf Resort to avail of its excellent 18-hole parkland course spread over 500 acres of rolling countryside and woodland.
At Discovering Ireland we have put together a list of Ireland's best golf courses ideal for the perfect golf trip
Review our guide to golf in Ireland, check out the many golf resorts and Golf Hotels in Ireland and begin planning your golfing vacation to Ireland.
North West
We offer pre-booked, pre paid and guaranteed tee times at preferential rates with many of the Ireland golf courses for Ireland Golf vacations. However, to cover our costs a nominal booking fee of €10 per tee time reservation applies.
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Where is the Irish Open?
Host of the 2018 Irish Open, on the northernmost point of Ireland, this course was full of surprises and exceeded expectations. Looking out to the Glashedy Rock, you play alongside the humps and bumps of the Old Course.
Where is Ballybunion Golf Club?
Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club. Located on the outskirts of Dublin and only 20 minutes from the airport, there are a lot of Irish golf enthusiast who have this course on the top of their list. Host of the 2019 Amateur Championship, 1991 Walker Cup and 19 Irish Opens, including the first, which was in 1927.
Who was the architect who worked on Ballybunion's old?
“Terrain that surpasses any course we know for beauty, not excepting Pine Valley,” said Tom Simpson, the English architect who worked on Ballybunion’s Old in 1936. And according to course history, they were changes Simpson referred to as “finishing touches.” It’s actually the start and especially the finish that puts it at fifth on my list. Everything in the middle is fun and flawless. ($260/low season TBD)
