With a multitude of courses in the Dublin area, to Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, in Northern Ireland, plus the outstanding links courses on the west coast, fantastic golf is a continuing theme on the Emerald Isle.
Royal Dublin
On our latest adventure to Ireland, we flew overnight into Dublin airport arriving in the morning. Although extremely busy, we managed to slip through customs, secure our rental car and make our noon tee time at Royal Dublin Golf Club, with a few minutes to spare.
Royal Dublin is the third oldest course in Ireland, opening for play in 1885. Harry Colt completed the design in 1920’s and Martin Hawtree renovated and extended the links in 2004.
The course has hosted six Irish Opens and can be stretched to over 7,200 yards. We found it to be the perfect first round in Ireland. It is challenging, but can be enjoyed by any skill level player.
Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links
Jameson Golf Links first opened in 1995 and has been a hit with golfers. The course winds its way through the sand dunes along the Irish Sea.
It hosted the 2008 and 2009 Ladies Irish Open, as well as the 2021 Irish Challenge. With elevated tees, blind approaches, doglegs, plus a stiff breeze off the Irish Sea, this course will impress links golf purists.
Formerly named Portmarnock Links, the course was rebranded Jameson Golf Links to distinguish it from its neighbor Portmarnock.
This is a real treat to play and is annually ranked near the top of any links course ratings in the world.
Seapoint Golf Links
Seapoint Golf Links is a relatively new course and sits just north of Dublin. It opened for play in 1993 with the clubhouse opening the following year and expanded in 2007. Seapoint is annually ranked as one of the best courses in Ireland and is always in tournament condition.
It has hosted the Irish PGA Championship and most recently the 2024 Irish Legends. The course was originally designed by former Ryder Cup Vice Captain Des Smyth and Declan Branigan and has matured into one of Ireland’s finest links courses
Perhaps three-time major champion Padraig Harrington said it best,
“There is not a weak hole on the entire golf course.”
Ardee Golf Club
Ardee Golf Club dates back to 1911 and is a mature parkland golf course. Its traditional styling offers an enjoyable round for any skill level. It is challenging, but golfers will appreciate the old-style routing and condition of the course.
The course has undergone several improvements over the years which has allowed the course to be open 365 days each year.
This is a fun course and will not break your budget. It’s perfect for golf trips and groups traveling to the Dublin area.
Ardee Dining
If you are looking for a true Irish repast after your round at Ardee Golf Club, stop by Brian Muldoon & Son’s Pub in downtown Ardee. For over 55 years Brian Muldoon and his family have been welcoming guests to their restaurant. The luxurious lounge bar is beautifully appointed with brass and polished mahogany, creating a comfortable atmosphere for a couple of drinks with friends, or a full course meal. Brian Muldoon & Sons offers an ala carte menu, special fish dishes and succulent steaks. Everyone is welcome and assured to enjoy their time at Brian Muldoon and Sons.
The Golf Course at Luttrellstown Castle Resort
Luttrellstown Castle Resort is a beautiful parkland course west of Dublin with a fully functional castle. Sitting just 20 minutes from the Dublin Airport it makes a wonderful location to begin your Irish adventure.
The 18-hole championship Golf Course at Luttrellstown Castle is a 7,347-yard parkland course with links-style bunkering, water hazards and a modern clubhouse.
This is a high-end property and like everything else at Luttrellstown the dining options are first class.
In case you were wondering, the Castle is available for rent, but will make a rather large dent in your bank account. David Beckham and Posh Spice held their highly publicized wedding here.
White Sands Hotel
We stayed in the White Sands Hotel, while in Dublin and found it to be quite comfortable. It has been in operation since 1620 and sits just a few steps from the beach. Its enticing pub and dining room are popular with tourists on holiday, as well as the locals.
Ireland’s Outstanding Parkland Courses
In addition to fantastic links golf, Ireland has some of the most beautiful parkland courses that can be found anywhere.
Killeen Castle
The Killeen Castle course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is a wonderful test of golf in the Irish hillside.
The castle, was first built in the 1300’s and is currently undergoing a major renovation that will only add to the beauty and mystique of this property.
Located just 30 minutes west of Dublin, it is easy to find. The course can be stretched to over 7,700 yards, but several tees box options are available for every skill level.
The designer Jack Nicklaus said of his creation, “It is one of my proudest designs.”
The course has hosted the Ladies Irish Open, the 2011 Solheim Cup and has been voted “The Best Parkland Course in the Greater Dublin Area” on several occasions.
The K Club
The K Club sits in the heart of County Kildare and since 1832 has been synonymous with the good life. Built on the original grounds of the Straffan Estate it was previously owned by Michael Smurfit before being sold to Michael Fetherston in 2020.
“The glass is always full and the party is always in full swing at The K Club.” The K Club is a high-end resort for people who enjoy the finer things in life.
It includes two Arnold Palmer designs and hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup. It was also the site of the European Open, a stop on the DP World Tour, nine times. Rory McIlroy won the 2016 Irish Open on the K Club’s North Course.
This is a gorgeous property and after your round be sure to check out the magnificent French Chateau designed hotel. It is truly a work of art and not to be missed.
The K Club offers the very best of Irish hospitality. No one does quite like The K Club.
Adare Manor
When you think of a first-class resort, Ardare Manor immediately comes to mind. The course is always in magnificent condition and the manor house hotel is a true beauty. The hotel has been named “Ireland’s Leading Hotel” on several occasions.
Robert Trent Jones designed the course, which opened in 1995. Tom Fazio completed a renovation in 2015 and each hole is a signature hole in itself. The course is strategic, can be enjoyed by all skill levels and is playable from March to October.
Adare Manor will be the host course for the Ryder Cup. Originally scheduled for 2026, when announced in 2019, but COVID forced rescheduling to 2027.
This is truly a top-shelf resort and grounds. It is immaculate and a must-play for visitors to this country.
West Coast Links Golf
After our time in Dublin, we headed to the west coast of Ireland to visit some of the best links golf courses in the world. We were able to play Lahinch, Ballybunion, Doonbeg, Dooks and Tralee, five wonderful links courses, plus a quick stop at Spanish Point for a quick nine.
Lahinch Golf Club
Lahinch Golf Club was founded in 1892 and is considered the “St Andrews” of Ireland. The original course was laid out by Old Tom Morris and Dr. Alister Mackenzie redesigned it in 1927.
The rolling sand dunes add to the unique layout and the ever-present winds off the Atlantic Ocean add to the challenge.
It has hosted several amateur and professional tournaments. Most recently it hosted the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open won by Jon Rahm. It will also host the 2026 Walker Cup Match.
Spanish Point Golf Club
A friend, we met in Dublin, mentioned to us if we had time the little nine-hole course, Spanish Point was a great track for a quick round. On our drive from Lahinch down to Doonbeg we happened to drive past this locally-owned club and decided we needed to stop in.
We were excited to find this out-of-the-way nine-hole links course that plays up and over a large sand dune along the Atlantic Ocean. Played mainly by locals it was a fun experience that we enjoyed immensely. The people were very friendly and proud of their course.
For golfers flying into Shannon, Spanish Point is just a 45-minute drive and would be the perfect place to begin your Irish golf adventure.
Trump International Golf Links: Doonbeg
Doonbeg is a Trump International property and is a delight to play. Sitting hard by the Atlantic Ocean, it is a true links course. Playing over and around the large sand dunes and gauging the heavy winds off the Atlantic is a true challenge.
Originally designed by Greg Norman, in 2002, Doonbeg was purchased by Trump in 2014 and was renovated by Martin Hawtree. Hawtree transformed Doonbeg into one of the best links courses in the world and it annually ranks in the top ten of top links courses worldwide.
Hawtree allowed the character of the land to flourish, while enhancing the playability of this wonderful property. Every hole has its own identity which will both reward and challenge each golfer.
Doonbeg’s dining and lodging options are exquisite. This was one of our favorite stops in Ireland.
Tralee Golf Club
The Tralee Golf Club was organized in 1896 and moved to the current site in 1980. Arnold Palmer designed Tralee, which features towering dunes, undulating fairways and elevated cliff top tees and greens. This is a rolling piece of ground over and around the sand dunes.
An ancient tower that stands near the third green, overlooking the harbor, was built in 1190.
Arnold Palmer said of his design at Tralee,
“I may have designed the first nine, but surely God designed the back nine.”
Ballybunion
The Old Course at Ballybunion can date its history to 1893, but was not well received by the locals back then. The ever-present winds and tides of the Atlantic Ocean have eroded the property over time and efforts have been made to secure the coastline for the pleasure of future golfers.
The first seven holes on the Old Course play along the east side of the huge dunes, but once you make the turn back to the clubhouse at No. 8 golfers are totally exposed to the winds off the ocean and must deal with blind shots, hidden greens, tight fairways and elevation changes over and around the sand dunes.
I had very high expectations before playing here and Ballybunion exceeded them. This is one of the best links courses in the world and it is a joy to play. I can’t wait to return to this magnificent course.
A second 18-hole course, The Cashen was built by Robert Trent Jones and if it were sitting anywhere else than beside Ballybunion’s Old Course it would receive far more attention from golf enthusiasts.
The Old Course is annually voted one of the very best in Ireland, as well as the world.
Ballybunion Lodging
We found a very comfortable B&B, The Tides, just a few minutes from the course and our hosts, David and Doreen Walsh were accommodating and very knowledgeable of all the local courses and entertainment.
Dooks
The final course on our Irish Golf Extravaganza was the Martin Hawtree designed Dooks Golf Club.
Golf has been played in Dooks since 1889 which makes the course one of the oldest in Ireland. Originally named Dooks & Caragh Golf Club, it became affiliated to the Golf Union of Ireland in 1903.
For 100 years the links remained a steadfastly quirky, nine-hole configuration, as the members resisted all efforts at modernization. It was extended to eighteen holes in the 1970’s under the guidance of Eddie Hackett. The course was further enhanced in 2002 by links golf expert designer, Martin Hawtree.
Dooks might have been our final stop in Ireland, but it ranks high on our list of favorite courses we played on this trip.
The course is close to the ocean, but does not receive the high winds prevalent at other links courses. With gorse, heather and beautiful wild flowers, it is a scenic beauty, as well as very player friendly.
Heading Home
Four famous Irish courses that we did not have time to visit on this trip were, Royal County Down and Portrush in Northern Ireland, as well as Waterville and Old Head farther south.
We simply did not have sufficient time to visit more course which gives us an excellent reason to return.
For more information about Irish Golf packages and destinations visit, https://www.ireland.com/en-us/.
