Top 30 Golf Courses in Ireland

30 of 30 courses
Top 30 golf courses in Ireland, ranked, with course details and ratings.
RankCourse NameNearest Town / CityWebsiteGoogle Maps LinkCourse TypeHolesParYardage (Championship Tees)DesignerYear OpenedSignature HoleNational RankingTop 100 Europe?Notable Events HostedScenic RatingSuitable HandicapBeginnersHigh HandicappersLow HandicappersMust Play Score (/100)Scenic Beauty (/10)Course Quality (/10)Value for Money (/10)Luxury Level (/10)Service (/10)Difficulty (/10)Overall Experience (/10)Nearest AirportDrive Time from AirportRecommended Stay (nights)
1 Royal County Down (Championship) Newcastle, Co. Down royalcountydown.org Open in Google Maps Championship links 18 71 approx. 7,190 Old Tom Morris, later Harry Vardon and Harry Colt 1889 9th – blind drive with the Mountains of Mourne behind the green 1st, Island of Ireland World Top 100 (3rd); GB&I 1st Irish Open 2015 and 2024; Walker Cup 2007; The Amateur Championship Outstanding HCP certificate required (strictly applied) No – severe blind shots Very punishing The ultimate test 99 10 10 6 9 9 10 10 Belfast City (BHD) 55 min 3
2 Royal Portrush (Dunluce) Portrush, Co. Antrim royalportrushgolfclub.com Open in Google Maps Championship links 18 72 approx. 7,340 Harry Colt 1932 16th – 'Calamity Corner', one of the world's great par 3s 2nd, Island of Ireland World Top 100; GB&I 3rd The Open Championship 1951, 2019 and 2025; Irish Open 2012 Outstanding HCP certificate required (strictly applied) No – championship test Difficult; caddie recommended World-class 100 10 10 6 9 9 9 10 Belfast International (BFS) 1 hr 3
3 Ballybunion (Old) Ballybunion, Co. Kerry ballybuniongolfclub.com Open in Google Maps Dunes links 18 71 approx. 6,800 Members; revised by Tom Simpson and Molly Gourlay 1893 11th – par 4 falling along the cliff edge 3rd, Island of Ireland; 1st in the Republic World Top 100 (29th); GB&I 9th Palmer Cup 2018; Irish Amateur and national championships Outstanding HCP certificate required No Demanding but fair Widely called the most natural links anywhere 98 10 10 7 8 9 8 10 Kerry (KIR) 1 hr 3
4 Lahinch (Old) Lahinch, Co. Clare lahinchgolf.com Open in Google Maps Dunes links 18 72 approx. 6,950 Old Tom Morris, Alister MacKenzie, restored by Martin Hawtree 1892 5th – 'The Dell', a fully blind par 3 (with the 4th, 'Klondyke') 4th, Island of Ireland World Top 100; GB&I 10th Irish Open 2019; South of Ireland Championship annually Outstanding HCP certificate required No – walking course, big dunes Hard walk; caddie recommended One of the world's great links 97 10 9 8 7 9 8 10 Shannon (SNN) 1 hr 3
5 Rosapenna (St Patrick's Links) Downings, Co. Donegal rosapenna.ie Open in Google Maps Modern dunes links 18 71 approx. 7,400 Tom Doak 2021 15th – green sited above the sea 5th, Island of Ireland World Top 100; GB&I 12th Newly opened; national and amateur events Outstanding HCP certificate required Wide fairways help, but it is long Yes from forward tees Exceptional 96 10 10 8 8 9 8 10 City of Derry (LDY) 1 hr 15 min 3
6 Portmarnock (Championship) Portmarnock, Co. Dublin portmarnockgolfclub.ie Open in Google Maps Classic links 27 (18-hole championship) 72 approx. 7,400 George Ross and W.C. Pickeman; later refinements 1894 15th – par 3 played along the beach 6th, Island of Ireland World Top 100; GB&I 24th Irish Open (19 times); Walker Cup 1991; Canada Cup 1960 Very good HCP certificate required No Demanding in wind A purist's championship links 97 8 10 7 9 9 9 10 Dublin (DUB) 20 min 3
7 Waterville Waterville, Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry watervillegolflinks.ie Open in Google Maps Dunes links 18 72 approx. 7,380 Eddie Hackett and Claude Harmon; revised by Tom Fazio II 1973 17th – 'Mulcahy's Peak', par 3 from a high dune tee 7th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (40th) Irish PGA and national events; Ryder Cup team practice venue Outstanding HCP certificate required Long but playable from forward tees Yes, forward tees Superb 95 10 10 8 8 10 8 10 Kerry (KIR) 1 hr 30 min 3
8 County Louth (Baltray) Baltray, Drogheda, Co. Louth countylouthgolfclub.com Open in Google Maps Classic links 18 73 approx. 7,030 Tom Simpson 1892 14th – par 4 turning through the big dunes 8th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (42nd) Irish Open 2004 and 2009; East of Ireland Championship annually Very good HCP certificate required No Fair from forward tees A subtle, strategic classic 94 8 10 8 7 8 8 9 Dublin (DUB) 50 min 2
9 The Island Donabate, Co. Dublin theislandgolfclub.ie Open in Google Maps Dunes links 18 71 approx. 6,800 Members; later work by Fred and Martin Hawtree 1890 14th – reputedly the narrowest fairway in links golf 9th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (49th) Irish PGA and national amateur events Very good HCP certificate required No Tight – accuracy essential Excellent 93 9 9 8 7 9 8 9 Dublin (DUB) 20 min 2
10 County Sligo (Colt Championship) Rosses Point, Co. Sligo countysligogolfclub.ie Open in Google Maps Classic links 18 71 approx. 6,900 Harry Colt; current upgrades by Martin Ebert 1894 17th – closing stretch beneath Benbulben 10th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (52nd) West of Ireland Championship annually Outstanding HCP certificate required No Exposed and demanding A Colt masterpiece 93 10 9 7 7 9 8 9 Ireland West Knock (NOC) 1 hr 3
11 Carne (Wild Atlantic Dunes) Belmullet, Co. Mayo carnegolflinks.com Open in Google Maps Big dunes links 27 (Wild Atlantic Dunes is the preferred 18) 72 approx. 6,900 Eddie Hackett with a newer nine by Ally McIntosh 1993 (new nine 2013) Blind, dune-framed holes throughout – the 17th and 18th especially 11th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (56th) National and amateur events Outstanding HCP certificate required No – blind shots and severe dunes Very demanding Ireland's biggest links adventure 93 10 8 10 6 9 9 10 Ireland West Knock (NOC) 1 hr 20 min 3
12 Trump International Golf Links – Doonbeg Doonbeg, Co. Clare trumphotels.com/ireland Open in Google Maps Modern dunes links 18 72 approx. 6,885 Greg Norman; revisions by Martin Hawtree 2002 14th – par 3 in a dune amphitheatre above the beach 12th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (58th) Resort and pro-am events Outstanding HCP certificate required Playable with a buggy Yes Dramatic modern links 90 10 9 6 10 9 8 9 Shannon (SNN) 50 min 3
13 Ballyliffin (Glashedy Links) Ballyliffin, Inishowen, Co. Donegal ballyliffingolfclub.com Open in Google Maps Dunes links 36 across two courses 72 approx. 7,220 Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock 1995 5th – par 3 played down to a green with Glashedy Rock beyond 13th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (64th) Irish Open 2018 Outstanding HCP certificate required No Accuracy essential Tougher than the Old 92 10 9 9 7 9 9 9 City of Derry (LDY) 50 min 3
14 Portstewart (Strand) Portstewart, Co. Londonderry portstewartgc.co.uk Open in Google Maps Dunes links 18 72 approx. 7,120 Members; new front nine by Des Giffin; recent work by European Golf Design 1894 1st – often called the best opening hole in golf 14th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (67th) Irish Open 2017 Outstanding HCP certificate required No Big dunes on the front nine Superb 92 10 9 8 7 9 8 9 Belfast International (BFS) 1 hr 3
15 Tralee Barrow, near Tralee, Co. Kerry traleegolfclub.com Open in Google Maps Clifftop and dunes links 18 71 approx. 6,975 Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay 1984 16th – 'Shipwreck', par 3 across a chasm 15th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (70th) Irish PGA and national events Outstanding HCP certificate required No – severe back nine Buggy advised Thrilling 94 10 9 8 8 9 9 10 Kerry (KIR) 40 min 3
16 Enniscrone (Dunes) Enniscrone, Co. Sligo enniscronegolf.com Open in Google Maps Big dunes links 27 73 approx. 6,900 Eddie Hackett; later Donald Steel and Martin Ebert 1918 Dune holes above Killala Bay on the outward stretch 16th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (72nd) National and amateur championships Outstanding HCP certificate required No – heavy rough and blind shots Demanding Muscular and memorable 91 10 9 9 6 9 9 9 Ireland West Knock (NOC) 1 hr 2
17 The Golf Course at Adare Manor Adare, Co. Limerick adaremanor.com Open in Google Maps Championship parkland 18 72 approx. 7,450 Robert Trent Jones Sr.; fully redesigned by Tom Fazio 1995 (Fazio redesign 2017) 18th – par 5 to the manor and lake 17th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (76th) Ryder Cup 2027; JP McManus Pro-Am 2022 Outstanding HCP certificate required Playable – strong emphasis on playability Yes Ryder Cup standard 98 9 10 5 10 10 8 10 Shannon (SNN) 40 min 3
18 Royal Portrush (Valley) Portrush, Co. Antrim royalportrushgolfclub.com Open in Google Maps Dunes links 18 70 approx. 6,600 Harry Colt; substantially rebuilt in recent years with three new holes 1932 (major changes completed 2025) The restored par-3 18th 18th, Island of Ireland GB&I Top 100 (81st) Irish Amateur and national championships; Open qualifying Very good HCP certificate required More forgiving than the Dunluce Yes A serious links in its own right 89 9 9 9 8 9 7 9 Belfast International (BFS) 1 hr 3
19 Narin & Portnoo Portnoo, Co. Donegal narinandportnoolinks.com Open in Google Maps Natural links 18 70 approx. 6,600 Members; comprehensively redesigned by Gil Hanse 1930 (Hanse redesign 2020) Tee boxes on the very edge of the sea 19th, Island of Ireland Outside the GB&I Top 100 Regional and national amateur events Outstanding Handicap certificate usually requested Yes Yes Superb modern greens 87 10 9 10 5 8 7 9 Donegal (CFN) 45 min 2
20 Portsalon Portsalon, Fanad, Co. Donegal portsalongolfclub.ie Open in Google Maps Dunes links 18 72 approx. 6,800 Members; later revision work by Pat Ruddy 1891 2nd – par 4 along Ballymastocker Strand 20th, Island of Ireland Outside the GB&I Top 100 Regional and national amateur events Outstanding Handicap or club membership usually requested Fair from forward tees Yes Underrated test 89 10 8 10 5 8 7 9 City of Derry (LDY) 1 hr 2
21 Ballyliffin (Old) Ballyliffin, Inishowen, Co. Donegal ballyliffingolfclub.com Open in Google Maps Dunes links 36 across two courses 72 approx. 6,900 Eddie Hackett and Martin Hawtree; Nick Faldo consulted 1973 14th onwards – the run of holes beside the sea 21st, Island of Ireland Outside the GB&I Top 100 Irish Amateur and national events Outstanding HCP certificate required More forgiving than the Glashedy Yes Rumpled, natural links 88 10 9 9 7 9 7 9 City of Derry (LDY) 50 min 3
22 Rosapenna (Sandy Hills Links) Downings, Co. Donegal rosapenna.ie Open in Google Maps Big dunes links 18 72 approx. 7,155 Pat Ruddy 2003 Elevated tees rolling through the high dunes 22nd, Island of Ireland Outside the GB&I Top 100 National and amateur events Outstanding HCP certificate required No – formidable Widened fairways help, but still hard Many rate it the best of the three at Rosapenna 90 10 9 9 8 9 9 9 City of Derry (LDY) 1 hr 15 min 3
23 The Royal Dublin Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin theroyaldublingolfclub.com Open in Google Maps Out-and-back links 18 72 approx. 7,270 Harry Colt; bunkering reworked by Clayton, DeVries & Pont 1885 18th – 'The Garden', dog-leg par 4 over out-of-bounds 23rd, Island of Ireland Outside the GB&I Top 100 Irish Open, most recently 1985 Good HCP certificate required No Wind is the defence Classic strategic links 90 7 9 8 8 9 8 9 Dublin (DUB) 25 min 2
24 Donegal (Murvagh) Murvagh, Laghey, Co. Donegal donegalgolfclub.ie Open in Google Maps Big dunes links 18 73 approx. 7,270 Eddie Hackett; changes by Paul McGinley Design since 2024 1973 5th – 'The Valley of Tears', a famous par 3 24th, Island of Ireland Outside the GB&I Top 100 National and amateur championships Outstanding HCP certificate required No – long and exposed Very long from the back Big, spacious test 88 10 8 10 5 8 9 9 Donegal (CFN) 20 min 2
25 Old Head Kinsale, Co. Cork oldhead.com Open in Google Maps Clifftop links 18 72 approx. 7,215 Eddie Hackett, Ron Kirby, Joe Carr and Paddy Merrigan 1997 12th – par 5 running along the cliff edge 25th, Island of Ireland Outside the GB&I Top 100 Private and pro-am events Outstanding – world-class HCP certificate required Generous fairways make it playable Yes More spectacle than strategic classic 93 10 9 5 10 10 8 10 Cork (ORK) 45 min 2
26 Castlerock (Mussenden) Castlerock, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry castlerockgc.co.uk Open in Google Maps Dunes links 27 (Mussenden 18 plus the Bann nine) 73 approx. 6,700 Ben Sayers; updated by Martin Hawtree 1901 4th – 'Leg O'Mutton', par 3 between the railway and the river Editorial extension (see notes) – 5th in Northern Ireland Outside the GB&I Top 100 Regional and national amateur championships Outstanding HCP certificate required Fair Yes Genuinely strong links 88 9 9 9 6 9 8 9 Belfast International (BFS) 1 hr 3
27 Connemara (Championship) Ballyconneely, Co. Galway connemaragolflinks.com Open in Google Maps Rocky Atlantic links 27 72 approx. 7,230 Eddie Hackett 1973 13th – par 3 in the shadow of the Twelve Bens Editorial extension (see notes) – 22nd in the Republic Outside the GB&I Top 100 Regional and national amateur events Outstanding Handicap certificate usually requested Long and exposed Wind makes it a handful Raw, natural links 87 10 8 10 5 8 8 9 Shannon (SNN) 2 hr 15 min 3
28 Dooks Glenbeigh, Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry dooks.com Open in Google Maps Natural links 18 71 approx. 6,590 Members; later Eddie Hackett and Martin Hawtree 1889 2nd – arguably the most dramatic green site in Irish golf Editorial extension (see notes) – 23rd in the Republic Outside the GB&I Top 100 Regional and national amateur events Outstanding Handicap certificate usually requested Yes – short and playable Yes Charming rather than brutal 88 10 8 10 5 9 6 9 Kerry (KIR) 40 min 3
29 Royal County Down (Annesley) Newcastle, Co. Down royalcountydown.org Open in Google Maps Short links 18 66 approx. 4,700 Members; significant redesign by Mackenzie & Ebert in 2015 1902 No par 5s – a strategic test of accuracy throughout Editorial extension (see notes) – 6th in Northern Ireland Outside the GB&I Top 100 Club and regional events; warm-up venue for the Championship links Outstanding HCP certificate required Yes – the most accessible course on this list Yes A charming half-day round 84 10 9 8 9 9 5 9 Belfast City (BHD) 55 min 3
30 Cork (Little Island) Little Island, Cork corkgolfclub.ie Open in Google Maps Parkland with quarry and harbour holes 18 72 approx. 6,700 Alister MacKenzie 1927 The limestone quarry holes, and 4th and 5th on the edge of Cork Harbour Editorial extension (see notes) – 24th in the Republic Outside the GB&I Top 100 Irish Amateur and national championships Very good HCP certificate required Yes Yes A MacKenzie classic 87 8 9 8 7 9 7 9 Cork (ORK) 15 min 2

Ranks 1–25 follow the Top100GolfCourses.com Island of Ireland ranking; ranks 26–30 are a Heritage Golf Getaways extension. Ratings out of 10 and Must Play scores are our own. Tap a column heading to sort.