For those looking to play some of the most prestigious courses in the world while experiencing renowned hospitality and stunning scenery, then a golf break to Ireland should be on your shortlist of destinations!
Ireland boasts a deep-rooted golfing heritage, with historic courses like Royal Curragh Golf Club tracing back to the 19th century. Over the years, both Ireland and Northern Ireland have produced a wealth of major championship winners, including Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, alongside modern stars such as Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Graeme McDowell.
For passionate golfers, Ireland truly feels like home.
In this guide to golf in Ireland, we use our firsthand experience of staying and playing in this fabulous part of the world as well as our knowledge from arranging plenty of successful trips for our clients to give you all the information you need to plan the perfect trip! From how to get there, where to play, our top tips, and best deals – this guide has it all!
Ireland at a Glance
- Location: An island nation situated on the western edge of Europe, in the North Atlantic Sea, with the United Kingdom just east of it. The Republic of Ireland occupies approximately 80% of the landmass and Northern Ireland 20%.
- Closest Airport: There are numerous airports in Ireland that are popular for a golf break, with Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Northern Ireland’s Belfast airport being the most popular.
- Flight Time: It depends on which UK and Ireland airport you arrive/depart from, but the average is around 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Ferry Crossing Time: The ferry from the UK to Ireland can take between 2 and 8 hours, depending on the route.
- Best Time to Travel: Summer is considered the peak season as well as the best chance for pleasant weather, but April and October can provide better value.
- Climate: The climate in Ireland is considered mild, wet and changeable which makes for lush fairways but a conundrum when deciding what to wear on the course! Temperatures in summer are generally between 15–22°C, making it the best season for an Irish golf vacation.
Best Golf Courses in Ireland
Ballyliffin Golf Club
Situated in the beautiful County Donegal sits Ireland’s most northerly golf club, Ballyliffin. This stunning complex is home to not one but two outstanding links golf courses – Glashedy Links and The Old Links.
Founded in 1947, the golf club initially featured a nine-hole course. However, in 1970, work commenced on what is now known as The Old Links following the expiration of the lease on the original course. By 1973, the full 18-hole layout was complete, though it has since undergone multiple redesigns.
Around two decades later, the club embarked on an ambitious expansion, commissioning Dublin-based course designers Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock to develop an additional 18-hole course.
Glashedy Links
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock
- Opened: 1995
The Old Links
- Holes: 18
- Par: 71
- Designer: Various
- Opened: 1973
Jamieson Golf Links
This course was formerly known as Portmarnock Golf Links, but changed to Jamieson Golf Links in October 2023 as part of a rebranding exercise to reflect its positioning on the former Jamieson family estate.
This is a stunning par 72 golf course, positioned by the coast for that classic links experience, originally crafted by famous German golfer Bernhard Langer. There is an on-site hotel providing luxury accommodation and spa facilities, making it the perfect haven for golfers.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Bernhard Langer
- Opened: 1995
The K Club
The K Club is a luxury golf resort just outside of Dublin in Kildare, with a five-star hotel and two 18-hole courses on-site.
The Palmer North course is the masterpiece of golfing legend Arnold Palmer. This stunning 18-hole parkland layout has welcomed some of the sport’s biggest events, including the 2006 Ryder Cup, eleven European Opens, and the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open – where Rory McIlroy delivered the European Tour shot of the year.
With its world-class design and championship pedigree, playing here means walking in the footsteps of golf’s greatest.
Meanwhile, Palmer South offers a true inland links experience, having hosted numerous professional tournaments, including the European Open from 1995 to 2007.
Palmer North
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Arnold Palmer
- Opened: 1991
Palmer South
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Arnold Palmer
- Opened: 2003
Druids Glen Golf Club
Druids Glen is another luxury golf resort with two 18-hole courses and a five star hotel on-site. Situated between the Irish Sea and the Wicklow Mountains, the scenery here is breathtaking and provides the perfect setting for two slightly inland golf courses.
The two courses, Druids Glen and Druids Heath, have excellent pedigree. Druids Glen has earned the nickname ‘Augusta of Europe’ and has previously hosted the Irish Open four times, with Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia among the winners.
The Druids Glen course and the clubhouse underwent a €10million investment before reopening in June 2023.
Druids Heath has also played host to the world’s top players as a former host of the 2006 Irish PGA Championship and offers a mix of parkland, heathland and links. Despite being the younger of the two courses, this has matured incredibly well to rival the original course for quality.
Druids Glen
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Pat Ruddy & Tom Craddock
- Opened: 1995
Druids Heath
- Holes: 18
- Par: 71
- Designer: Pat Ruddy
- Opened: 2003
Rosapenna Golf Club
Nestled in the north of Ireland between the picturesque shores of Sheephaven and Mulroy Bay, Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort is home to an exceptional collection of golf courses.
Among them is the historic Old Tom Morris Links, established in 1893, alongside the St Patrick’s Links, a striking addition designed by Tom Doak in 2021. Completing the trio is the Sandy Hills Links, a masterpiece crafted by Pat Ruddy and Frank Casey Senior.
Accommodation is available here at the on-site hotel in a range of rooms and suites, which offer stunning views of the surrounding bays.
St Patrick’s Links
- Holes: 18
- Par: 71
- Designer: Tom Doak
- Opened: 2021
Sandy Hills Links
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Pat Ruddy & Frank Casey Snr
- Opened: 2003
Old Tom Morris Links
- Holes: 18
- Par: 70
- Designer: Old Tom Morris
- Opened: 1893
Castlemartyr Golf Club
Castlemartyr Resort in East Cork is nestled in 220 acres of stunning woodland and is made up of an 18th Century Manor House that sits adjacent to the ruins of an 800-year-old castle as well as an 18-hole inland links style course.
Designed by the renowned course designer, Ron Kirby, whose other work includes the fabulous Gleneagles in Scotland, that stretches 6,728 yards, Castlemartyr is a great course for golfers of all abilities.
- Holes: 18
- Par: 72
- Designer: Ron Kirby
- Opened: 2007
Other Things to do in Ireland
Ireland is packed with amazing things to see and do when you aren’t out on the golf course!
The most obvious thing to do is to check out the pub scene where you can enjoy the famous ‘craic’ and a perfectly poured pint of Guinness. For a memorable night out, head to The Temple Bar in Dublin, a vibrant hot spot filled with lively pubs, great company, and fantastic live music.
If you want to delve into the origins of your tipple, Ireland offers lots of brewery and whiskey tours. Among the most famous are the Jameson Distillery in both Midleton and Dublin, the Bushmills Distillery, and of course, the iconic Guinness Storehouse, where you can discover the story behind Ireland’s most famous stout.
For those who plan on travelling to Dublin via Ferry and have taken their car, there are some fantastic scenic road trips you can enjoy. Ring of Kerry offers beautiful coastal views on a 111-mile circular route to the south west of Ireland, meanwhile the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland is a stunning drive between Belfast and Derry.
The other great journey is the Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland which is described by many as one of the most scenic driving routes in the world!
For history lovers, there are plenty of castles to visit all around both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Some of the most popular places include Kilkenny Castle, Rock of Cashel, Dublin Castle and Donegal Castle.
Top 5 Travel Tips for Your Ireland Golf Tour
- Choose The Right Region: Choose your ideal golf experience based on the courses and surroundings that suit you best. For a parkland challenge paired with Dublin’s vibrant culture and nightlife, a city golf break is perfect. If world-class links golf and stunning coastal views are more your style, head north to Royal Portrush and Portstewart, or venture southwest to Ballybunion and Tralee for an unforgettable seaside golf getaway.
- Book Tee Times Well in Advance: We could say this about any region to be honest, but it also applies to Ireland – especially at some of the more well-known courses – book your tee times early to avoid disappointment!
- Factor in Transport: Your travel plans to Ireland will shape how you get around. If you’re flying in and staying at a golf resort with on-site courses, a simple taxi or transfer from the airport will do. However, if you plan to play multiple courses across a region, consider car hire or golf transfers for larger groups. Travelling by ferry in your own car is the most cost-effective option, especially if you’re staying in one place but playing at different courses nearby.
- Prepare for Irish Weather: Golf holidays to places like Spain or Portugal provide golfers the opportunity to escape the cold wet British weather in exchange for sunshine; however, this can’t be guaranteed in Ireland! Those stunning coastal links courses can bring you much closer to the elements, so we recommend packing waterproofs, extra layers, and spiked golf shoes just in case.
- Book with a Tour Operator: If you want to put together a golf tour playing various courses and haven’t played in there before then speak to a specialist golf tour operator who has experience of staying and playing golf in Ireland. They can help you take care of the logistics, including transfers if you haven’t got a car, as well as book the accommodation and various golf courses on your behalf.
Top 5 Golf Break Deals: Play Some of Ireland’s Most Popular Golf Courses
We have handpicked our top golf resorts to consider staying at in Ireland with rounds on some real bucket list courses:
- 5* Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort
- 5* The K Club Resort
- 4* Rosapenna Golf Resort
- 4* Portmarnock Resort
- 4* Ballyliffin Lodges & Spa Hotel
About Glencor Golf
Our friendly and experienced team can give you firsthand experience of playing golf on Ireland’s best golf courses. Whether you are looking for a golf and spa weekend away or arranging a bucket list golf tour of the finest links golf courses, we can help!
Call 01904 406550 or email info@glencorgolf.com so we can put you on the finest fairways and make lifetime memories!
