Ireland punches above its weight in golf more than almost any other country. On an island roughly the size of South Carolina, you'll find a concentration of world-class links courses that rivals Scotland, parkland courses set on historic estates, and a culture around the game that makes every visiting golfer feel genuinely welcome.
The island has two jurisdictions — the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland — but golf ignores the border completely. The best itineraries cross it freely, and this guide covers the entire island.
The South-West: Kerry and Clare
The south-west coast of Ireland, along the Wild Atlantic Way, contains the country's most dramatic links golf.
Ballybunion Old Course
Ballybunion Old Course, in County Kerry, is raw links golf at its most elemental. The course evolved naturally from the landscape — Tom Simpson refined the layout in the 1930s, but the terrain itself is the architect. The front nine plays through towering dunes; the back nine runs along eroding cliffs above the Atlantic. The par-4 11th, with its green set on a ledge above the beach, is one of the most photographed holes in Irish golf. Green fees run EUR 120-220.
Tom Watson, who has played the world's great links courses for decades, once called Ballybunion "a golf course on which many golf architects should live and play before they build a golf course." That assessment holds.
Tralee Golf Club
Tralee, designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in 1984, occupies a spectacular stretch of coastline on the Dingle Peninsula. Palmer called it "the most beautiful site for a golf course that I have ever seen," and the views of the Kerry mountains and Atlantic breakers support the claim. It's a challenging links — the wind off the Atlantic is relentless — but the setting compensates for any frustration. Green fees are EUR 100-200.
Waterville Golf Links
Waterville sits at the tip of the Iveragh Peninsula on the Ring of Kerry. The course dates to 1889 but was substantially redesigned by Eddie Hackett and later Tom Fazio. It's a long, demanding links — 7,309 yards from the championship tees — with several holes running through massive dunes. Waterville was a favourite of Payne Stewart, whose statue stands near the clubhouse. Green fees are EUR 120-250.
Lahinch Golf Club Old Course
Lahinch, in County Clare, was originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1892 and redesigned by Alister MacKenzie in the 1920s. It's a traditional links town — the course sits right next to the village, and the surfing beach adjoins the first fairway. The Klondyke (4th) and Dell (5th) are two of the most famous blind holes in golf. At EUR 100-200, Lahinch is a must-play on any south-west itinerary.
Old Head Golf Links
Old Head, near Kinsale in County Cork, occupies a dramatic headland jutting into the Atlantic. It's not traditional links in the strict sense — the course was built in 1997 on clifftop terrain — but the setting is extraordinary. Nine holes run along cliff edges with 300-foot drops to the sea. Green fees are steep (EUR 220-395) and the experience is divisive among purists, but for sheer visual drama, few courses anywhere can match it.
The West Coast: Donegal, Sligo, and Mayo
The north-west coast offers links golf that's wilder, more remote, and substantially less expensive than the south-west.
Rosapenna Sandy Hills Links
Rosapenna Sandy Hills, designed by Pat Ruddy and opened in 2003, is built through enormous dunes in County Donegal. The scale of the landscape is staggering — you feel small out here, dwarfed by dunes that tower above the fairways. At EUR 80-150, it's one of Ireland's best values for genuine links golf of this calibre.
County Sligo (Rosses Point)
County Sligo, designed by Harry Colt and established in 1894, sits beneath Ben Bulben — the dramatic flat-topped mountain that dominates the Sligo landscape. The course is a proper championship links at 6,948 yards, with stunning views of the mountain and Drumcliff Bay. W.B. Yeats is buried in the churchyard at Drumcliff, visible from several holes. Green fees are EUR 80-150.
Carne Golf Links
Carne, Eddie Hackett's final design before his death, opened in 1993 in County Mayo. It's built through some of the largest sand dunes in Europe, and the course has a wild, untamed quality that feels genuinely remote. Getting there requires a long drive through the west of Ireland, but the journey is part of the experience. At EUR 75-150, Carne is a hidden gem that rewards the effort.
Enniscrone Golf Club
Enniscrone in County Sligo is another Hackett design, refined by Donald Steel. The back nine plays through massive dunes with ocean views, and the course offers excellent value at EUR 60-120.
Northern Ireland
The two courses at the top of almost every "best in Ireland" list are both in the north.
Royal County Down
Royal County Down, in Newcastle, is frequently ranked the best course in the world outside the United States — and many would argue it belongs in the global top five regardless. The course was laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1889 beneath the Mountains of Mourne, and the combination of dramatic dune formations, mountain backdrop, and challenging links terrain is simply unmatched.
The front nine is considered one of the greatest stretches of links golf ever created. Several holes play from elevated tees over seas of gorse and heather to landing areas hidden among the dunes. Visitors play on specific days — check availability well in advance. Green fees are GBP 250-350.
Royal Portrush Dunluce Links
Royal Portrush Dunluce Links, designed by Harry Colt and established in 1888, returned to the Open Championship rotation in 2019 after a 68-year absence — Shane Lowry's emotional victory in front of an Irish crowd was one of the great sporting moments of recent years. The Dunluce course is a magnificent links with stunning views of the Antrim coast and, on clear days, the Scottish islands. Green fees are GBP 200-295.
The Dublin Area and East Coast
Portmarnock Golf Club
Portmarnock, north of Dublin, has hosted more Irish Opens than any other course. Established in 1894 on a sandy peninsula, it's a championship links of the highest order — 7,380 yards with greens that demand precision. The club accepts visitors but requires advance booking. Green fees are EUR 200-275.
The Island Golf Club
The Island, just north of Dublin, is a links hidden in plain sight. The back nine, with holes threading through towering dunes above the Broadmeadow estuary, is among the finest stretches of links golf near any major city. Green fees of EUR 80-160 make it outstanding value.
The European Club
The European Club, Pat Ruddy's personal project in County Wicklow, is a links-meets-coastal course with 20 holes (yes, twenty — you choose your 18). Ruddy built it with his own hands over decades, and the result is a course with genuine character and challenge. EUR 100-195.
Parkland Ireland
Ireland's parkland courses are often overlooked by visitors focused on links, but several deserve attention.
Adare Manor, in County Limerick, was extensively redesigned by Tom Fazio and reopened in 2017. It will host the 2027 Ryder Cup — the first time the event has been held in the Republic of Ireland. The course is set on a stunning Gothic revival estate, and the conditioning and facilities are world-class. Green fees (EUR 350-475) reflect the pedigree.
The K Club Palmer Course, designed by Arnold Palmer in County Kildare, hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup. It's a big American-style parkland layout with water on several holes and immaculate conditioning. Druids Glen, in County Wicklow, was known as "the Augusta of Europe" in its heyday — a parkland course through mature woodland that has hosted multiple Irish Opens.
Mount Juliet, a Jack Nicklaus design in County Kilkenny, is an elegant parkland course on a historic estate that has hosted multiple major European Tour events.
Planning an Irish Golf Trip
When to go
The season mirrors Scotland: May to September, with June through August offering the best weather and longest days. May and September are drier on average and less crowded. Irish weather is famously unpredictable — pack waterproofs even in August.
Getting around
A rental car is essential. Most international visitors fly into Dublin or Shannon; Belfast serves Northern Ireland itineraries. Driving is on the left. West coast roads are often narrow and slower than expected — budget more time than Google Maps suggests.
Itinerary suggestions
One week — South-West and North focus:
- Days 1-2: Shannon arrival, Lahinch, Doonbeg
- Days 3-4: Drive to Kerry — Ballybunion, Tralee or Waterville
- Days 5: Drive north — Old Head or European Club en route
- Days 6-7: Royal County Down, Royal Portrush
One week — Comprehensive:
- Days 1-2: Dublin area — Portmarnock, The Island
- Days 3-4: Drive to Donegal — Rosapenna, County Sligo
- Days 5: Drive to Kerry — Ballybunion
- Days 6-7: Lahinch, Tralee or Waterville
Budget expectations
Irish links golf is generally more affordable than Scotland's championship venues. Green fees range from EUR 60-150 at hidden gems like Carne, Enniscrone, and County Sligo to EUR 200-475 at premium courses. A week playing seven rounds at a mix of courses typically costs EUR 800-1,400 in green fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northern Ireland separate from the Republic for golf?
Politically yes, practically no. The border is invisible — there are no checkpoints, and you drive freely between the two jurisdictions. Currency changes (Sterling in the north, Euro in the south), but most golf clubs accept cards. Plan your itinerary based on geography, not borders.
Which is better — Scotland or Ireland for links golf?
Both are world-class. Scotland has greater depth at the very top (St Andrews, Muirfield, Royal Dornoch), while Ireland offers wilder, more remote links experiences and better value at the mid-tier. Many serious golfers alternate years between the two. Read our Scottish links guide for the comparison.
Can I play Royal County Down as a visitor?
Royal County Down accepts visitors on specific days — typically weekdays excluding Wednesdays. Book well in advance, especially for summer dates. A handicap certificate is required.
What are the best-value links courses in Ireland?
Carne (EUR 75-150), Enniscrone (EUR 60-120), County Sligo (EUR 80-150), and The Island (EUR 80-160) all offer genuine links golf at a fraction of the premium course price.
