Golf in Ireland — The Complete Visitor's Guide

Ireland is one of the great golf destinations. The R&A counted 478 golf courses on the island at the end of 2020. Of those, 365 were in the Republic and 113 in Northern Ireland. Many of the best sit on wild Atlantic links.

Whether you want to play Royal Portrush, tackle the dunes at Ballybunion or drive the Wild Atlantic Way, this guide will help. It covers the main regions, the famous courses, costs and when to go.

Golf in Ireland: an overview

The island has two parts. The Republic of Ireland uses the euro, while Northern Ireland is part of the UK and uses sterling. For golfers, though, the border makes little difference, and many trips cross it freely.

Golf Ireland runs the amateur game across the whole island. In addition, Irish golfers have won many majors in recent decades, which shows how strong the game is. Our guide to how many golf courses there are in the UK puts the island’s figures alongside the UK’s.

The west coast links

The west coast is where Irish links golf is at its wildest. From Kerry through Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo to Donegal, the coast is dotted with great courses. Our guide to coastal golf covers seaside golf across the UK and Ireland.

Ballybunion, County Kerry

Ballybunion’s Old Course sits on the Atlantic coast near the mouth of the Shannon. Its fairways run through tall dunes, with the sea close by on many holes. It rewards low, controlled shots, especially when the wind is up.

Lahinch, County Clare

Lahinch was founded in 1892, when Old Tom Morris laid out the first links. Alister MacKenzie reworked the course in 1927. More recently, it hosted the 2019 Irish Open and the 2026 Walker Cup. As a result, it is one of the most popular stops on the west coast.

Waterville, County Kerry

Waterville sits on the Iveragh Peninsula, on the Ring of Kerry. It is remote and demanding, with big dunes and Atlantic wind. Still, the setting is superb.

Doonbeg, County Clare

Doonbeg, on the Clare coast, is a links resort with a hotel. It is owned by the Trump Organization and trades as Trump International. Since it has rooms on site, it suits a stay-and-play trip.

Rosses Point, County Sligo

County Sligo Golf Club, at Rosses Point, sits on a headland in Sligo Bay. The views run across to Benbulben mountain and the Atlantic. Meanwhile, nearby Enniscrone adds another fine links.

Carne, County Mayo

Carne, near Belmullet, is a remote links designed by Eddie Hackett. It sits among huge dunes, and it feels wild and natural.

The Old Head of Kinsale

The Old Head of Kinsale sits on a narrow headland in County Cork, with cliffs on almost every side. It is a clifftop course rather than a links. Even so, the setting is one of the most dramatic in golf.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has two of the world’s most famous links. Our guide to golf in Northern Ireland covers them in depth. For more on each county, see our county-by-county guide to Northern Ireland golf. You can also browse every course we list in Northern Ireland.

Royal Portrush, County Antrim

Royal Portrush hosted the Open in 1951, 2019 and 2025. The Dunluce Links runs along the Causeway Coast, with views of the sea and the cliffs.

Royal County Down, County Down

Royal County Down was founded in 1889. It sits at Newcastle, under the Mourne Mountains, on the shore of Dundrum Bay. It has hosted the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup and the Irish Open.

Dublin’s links

Dublin is a handy base, since several fine links lie on its coast. Portmarnock, founded in 1894, sits on a peninsula north of the city, with views of Howth Head. It has hosted the Irish Open many times. In addition, other links line the coast north and south of the city.

What does golf in Ireland cost?

Green fees in Ireland vary widely. The famous links cost the most, especially in summer. Meanwhile, inland parkland clubs and lesser-known links cost much less. Since prices change each year, check each club’s own website before you book.

To compare with Scotland, read our Scotland golf guide or browse every course we list in Scotland.

When to visit

May to September brings the longest days and the best chance of dry weather. In particular, May and September often give good conditions with fewer crowds.

October to April is quieter. The west coast is mild for its latitude, so many links stay open all winter. However, wind and rain are more likely, and days are short.

How to book

Most Irish clubs take online bookings through their own websites. For the famous links, book months ahead for summer. Alternatively, golf tour operators can arrange tee times, rooms and transfers as a package.

Getting around

A hire car is almost essential on the west coast, since the courses are spread out and buses are limited. Shannon and Kerry airports serve the south-west, while Dublin and Belfast serve the east and north.

You can also reach Northern Ireland by ferry. For example, boats run to Belfast from Cairnryan in Scotland and from Liverpool. If you are coming that way, the directory lists golf courses near Glasgow and golf courses near Liverpool for a round before you sail.

Plan your Irish golf trip

Ireland rewards a slow trip. For instance, a week on the west coast, playing one course a day, is a classic pilgrimage. For more links golf, read our guide to the best links courses in the UK. Our UK golf breaks guide also helps you plan.

Planning kit? For picking a golf rangefinder, see our guide.