The Island of Ireland
With more than 400 courses from which to choose, Ireland and Northern Ireland together have been a very compelling draw for the travelling golfer for decades. No fewer than 21 are in the current Golf Monthly Top 100, with a further dozen included in the Next 100. They are also home to a brilliant array of less well-known or celebrated courses, from parkland classics such as Belvoir Park and Malone near Belfast and the two very different designs at Headfort in County Meath, through links such as Strandhill in County Sligo and Cork in the extreme south, then onto hidden gems such as Wicklow in the east and the outrageous 9-holer at Cruit Island way over in stunning County Donegal in the north-west.
The Championship Course at Royal County Down has a sensational setting
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Naturally, it is links golf that dominates the itineraries of those making the pilgrimage from all over the world, with two of the Top 10 both in Northern Ireland; the Championship Course at Royal County Down and the Dunluce Course at Royal Portrush. Nearby is the thrilling links at Portstewart where work continues in the quest to further enhance the back nine. Heading clockwise around the island from here, you will find historic County Louth before four brilliant links in the Dublin area; The Island, the recently renamed Jameson Golf Links and its immediate neighbour, Portmarnock, and Pat Ruddy’s wonderful European Club.
The short sixteenth at Old Head is one of many holes that cling dramatically to the cliffs
(Image credit: Old Head Golf Links)
Inland treats include the revamped Druid’s Glen and Mount Juliet before heading down to the extreme south and the quite sensational Old Head before a flurry of world-class links such as Waterville, Tralee, Ballybunion, Doonbeg and Lahinch. Here, you will also find the Golf Course at Adare Manor, host of the next Ryder Cup in Europe in 2027. As you continue, there is plenty more still to come at Carne, Enniscrone, County Sligo, the three fabulous courses at Rosapenna and the two at Ballyliffin. Such is the wealth and wide variety of golf on offer, it would be impossible to run out of new and exciting places to play in Ireland.
Ballybunion
The approach to the brilliant eleventh hole on the Old Course at Ballybunion
(Image credit: Jacob Sjoman)
- Old Course – Par 71, 6,383 yards
- Cashen Course – 72, 6,290 yards
Ballybunion has a deserved reputation that attracts golfers from near and far. It perches alongside…
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