Discover world-class courses & immerse yourself in the joyous culture
Home to some of the most breathtaking and challenging golf courses in the world, golf breaks in Ireland are an experience that will last a lifetime. With its rich golfing heritage, dramatic coastal landscapes, and warm hospitality, it’s no surprise that the Emerald Isle is a top choice for golf enthusiasts.
Whether you’re looking to tick-off championship links, discover hidden gems, or stay & play at luxury five-star resorts, there is something for every golfer and group type with our expertly curated packages.
Why choose Ireland for your golf break?
- Visit the home of a quarter of the world’s natural links courses
- Experience unforgettable views & dramatic rugged coastlines
- From Belfast to Dublin, indulge in Ireland’s exciting leading cities
- Immerse yourself in pubs, cuisine & warm Irish hospitality
- Take advantage of daily flights/ferries from Britain
- Book now to earn loyalty Breakpoint & get money off your next trip
Discover the best golf courses in Ireland
Ireland is blessed with some of the best golf courses in the world, with over a quarter of the globe's natural links layouts - headlined by the outstanding Royal County Down and the breathtaking Ballybunion Golf Club.
The incredible offering of links golf in Ireland truly knows no limits, with the Wild Atlantic Way on the West Coast of Ireland home to unmissable gems including Doonbeg and Waterville.
Wherever you’re looking to book golf in Ireland, all the courses are based in unique, stunning locations across the North, South, East & West. Blessed with miles of stunning, unspoiled natural landscape, the glorious scenery makes Ireland an unmatched destination for a golf break.
Some of Ireland's best golf courses include:
1. Royal County Down (Newcastle, Northern Ireland)
Ranked among the world's top 3 layouts by Top 100 Golf Courses, Royal County Down offers a stunning layout set against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains. Designed by Old Tom Morris, this course is renowned for its fast greens and challenging blind shots. It has hosted prestigious tournaments, including the Irish Open.
2. Ballybunion Golf Club (County Kerry)
Once described by Tom Watson as "the course on which many golf architects should live and play on before they build golf courses", Ballybunion's Old Course is one of the purest links experiences in the world. The course’s towering dunes, unpredictable winds, and undulating fairways make it both a scenic and strategic challenge.
3. Royal Portrush (Portrush, Northern Ireland)
The only Open Championship host outside of mainland Britain, Royal Portrush is well located in the Causeway Coast & Glens area of outstanding natural beauty. This world-famous links course boasts stunning coastal views, rolling dunes, and challenging holes that test even the best golfers. Gary Player once said "I don't think there's a better golf course ever chosen for The Open", and it is hard to disagree with him.
4. Lahinch Golf Club (County Clare)
Often called the "St. Andrews of Ireland," Lahinch Golf Club offers a historic links course known for its unique design and unpredictable weather conditions. It provides an exhilarating test of skill with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. In 2019, Lahinch was the host of the 2019 Irish Open where a fresh-faced John Rahm took home the trophy.
5. Portmarnock Golf Club (Dublin)
Situated on a picturesque peninsula 15kms outside of Dublin, Portmarnock Golf Club has a rich history of hosting professional tournaments, including the Irish Open. It offers a classic links experience with firm fairways and strategically placed pot bunkers.
Other fantastic Ireland links courses include; Tralee, Waterville, The Island, Castlerock Golf Club, Rosapenna, European Club, and many more!
While links golf is undoubtedly the main event when it comes to golf in Ireland, there are also some exceptional inland layouts to enjoy for larger groups. For a five-star stay & play experience, we'd recommend Adare Manor (Co. Limerick), the 2028 Ryder Cup host, Mount Juliet (Co. Kilkenny), and The K Club (Co. Kildare) - home of the 2006 Ryder Cup and multiple Irish Opens.
Top tips for booking a golf holiday to Ireland
Ireland is truly magical when it comes to bucket-list golf travel, from the stunning natural links to the beautiful scenery, the emerald isle is a popular destination and it's clear to see why. A plethora of golf awaits you, and there is a great selection of hotels just outside of the big cities as well as golf resorts so you can choose between staying in one place or experiencing the culture while drinking a Guinness.
The golf season in Ireland typically runs from April to October, with the summer months (June–August) offering the best conditions. Spring and early autumn are also excellent times to visit, as courses are less crowded and the weather remains mild.
Here are some top tips to consider when booking a golf holiday:
- Pack for all weather - Ireland’s weather can be unpredictable especially on the coast, so bring waterproof gear and layered clothing.
- Book in advance - Top courses like Royal County Down and Ballybunion have limited availability, so early booking is advised.
- Explore beyond golf - Ireland offers stunning landscapes, world-famous pubs, and cultural sites like the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry.
- Choose the right location for you and your group:
Our most popular Ireland golf destinations include:
From the picturesque countryside, windswept courses on the rugged coastline and courses near vibrant cities, Ireland offers something for every golfer. Whether you play in Lough Erne, Dublin, Cork or Kerry, many of the locations boast spectacular scenery that are highlighted by some of the best golf in Ireland.
- Dublin - most well-known for its fantastic Guinness and pub culture, this destination is ideal for groups looking to make the most of a lively city, with untamed links courses and famed parklands right on your doorstep. Choose from city centre hotels and travel out to courses OR stay & play on-site just ouside of the city at The K Club and Portmarnock Resort.
- Belfast - a variety of accommodation options await you, suitable for all budgets. The area offers an abundance of championship golf in breathtaking locations, with the historic Royal County Down and Royal Portrush within easy driving distance, as well as copious hidden gems.
- Donegal - away from the noise, the surfing capital of Ireland provides some of the finest beaches and scenic walks. You will be sure to encounter suburb golf and warm hospitality.
- Cork - this region produces many customer favourite courses and is full of superb resorts, regular hosts of the Irish Open, and dramatic links courses. You will also find an array of traditional pubs, rich heritage, and plenty of craic in the food capital of Ireland!
- Killarney - A vibrant town set in the beautiful Irish countryside, choose from a variety of great golf courses which are all easily accessible and provide golfers with an unparalleled experience. Travel out to links courses along the Ring of Kerry such as Waterville and Dooks, or head north to tick off Ballybunion and Lahinch.
Looking to stay closer to the action in the evening? Outside of Dublin, the best of the craic can be found in the local towns of Killarney, Galway or Cork.
Short Irish golf breaks
Play top 100 courses on an Irish golf holiday
Indulge in excellent resort & accommodation options
From high-calibre five-star resorts to budget-friendly city hotels, there is a wide range of accommodation options to choose on an Ireland golf holiday.
These options are perfect whether you're after a short Irish golf break with a few friends or an luxury weekend away with a large group, check out our guide below:
Best for luxury stay & play experiences
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Adare Manor (Co. Limerick) - 2027 Ryder Cup host and winner of Golf Digest’s ‘Best Golf Resorts in Great Britain and Ireland’ for five years running, Adare Manor Resort offers an ultra luxurious golf experience. Originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr, the on-site championship golf course is probably the best conditioned layout in Ireland, with state of the art irrigation systems and pristine bunkering.
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The K Club (Co. Kildare) - regularly ranked as one of the best golf hotels in Ireland and best known for hosting the 2006 Ryder Cup, The K Club is luxury personified. There are two Arnold Palmer designs on-site and Dublin city centre is just 35 minutes away for visitors looking for culture and nightlife.
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Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort (Co. Wicklow) - a five-star golf resort in Wicklow, Druids Glen offers a variety of dining options and spa in the Ballykissangel countryside. Choose from the Druids Heath course and the Druids Glen course, two contrasting layouts befitting an excellent golf break!
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Mount Juliet Estate (Co. Kilkenny) – a premier golf resort with a Jack Nicklaus signature course and elegant accommodation. The beautiful parkland course is a multi-time DP World Tour and Legends Tour host, solidifying itself as a world-class destination.
Best for links golf
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Rosapenna Golf Resort (Co. Donegal) - situated at the edge of Sheephaven Bay, Rosapenna Resort offers stunning views, a great value hotel which has multiple on-site restaurants and excellent leisure facilities. Most importantly, there are three highly acclaimed links courses ranked 3rd (St Patricks Links), 12th (Sandy Hills Links) and 32nd (Old Tom Morris Links) in the Republic of Ireland.
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Portmarnock Resort (Dublin) - with a modern links masterpiece on-site in Jameson Golf Links and excellent four-star accommodation, Portmarnock is one of our favourite resorts conveniently situated just 15 kms from Dublin city centre
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Trump Doonbeg International (Co. Clare) - A stunning coastal golf resort offering world-class facilities and breathtaking views, ideal for couples, groups and solo travellers. The hotel is old world luxury with indulgent spa treatments and award-winning dining options, while the on-site Doonbeg Golf Course is a top 10 Irish links course.
Best for golf & nightlife
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Hilton Dublin - a great four-star hotel conveniently located a 30 minute walk from Dublin's famous Temple Bar to make the most of the nightlife. For world-class golf, nearby courses include; Portmarnock Golf Club (20 kms), The Island (25 kms), and Royal Dublin (11 kms).
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Hastings Europa (Belfast) - stay in great accommodation just 15 minutes from Belfast's Cathedral Quarter and travel out to some of Northern Ireland's most acclaimed links courses; Ardglass (55 kms), Royal Belfast (15 kms), and Rory McIlroy's home course - Holywood.
To get the best value accommodation for an Ireland golf getaway, check out the stay & play packages where you will have everything in the same place which makes discovering the area easier than ever. All venues are in easily accessible locations and with the choice of short flights or driving, you will save a lot of money on travel compared to travelling further abroad.
Golf travel tips for Ireland
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Best months for value:
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Our experts recommend:
"Providing stunning venues and some of the finest links courses in the world it is the perfect spot for your next golf break. The country is known for its traditions and unique culture and if you love golf then it should definitely be next on your bucket list"
UK Travel Consultant
Multiple golf break experiences in one country
Not only is there a vast choice of golf courses across Ireland, but there are also several types of golf holidays you can enjoy during your stay.
Some of our popular golf holiday types include:
- Self-drive golf breaks to Ireland - now is the time to start exploring the Island of Ireland, experience iconic locations at your own pace, enjoy the famous craic, and play some of the most iconic courses.
- Golf weekends in Ireland - escape the every day and enjoy a golf weekend away, combining golf with charming accommodation.
- Luxury golf holidays in Ireland - stay and play at award-winning venues in picturesque settings and indulge in Michelin-star dining sampling traditional delicacies.
- Stay & play golf packages in Ireland - enjoy a hassle-free golf holiday with all facilities under one roof.
- Ireland golf tours - great for tailoring a trip to suit your interests and budget, golf tours are perfect for groups looking to stay in and around the major towns/cities, with great golf within easy reach.
Off the course, there is so much to see and do in Ireland, from the spectacular coastlines and national parks to the lively cities, there is no shortage of things to do off the course.
Take a trip to Dublin for the tasty cuisine and fantastic live music. Learn about Irish folklore, history and culture from some of the welcoming locals in Killarney.
Outdoor lovers should explore the ancient castles and ruins peppered all over the country or discover the natural wonder of The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. For some relaxation time, take a stroll along the sandy beaches of Galway Bay.
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