Ireland Golf Courses

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Ireland is by no means an imposing country. An island on the fringe of Europe, it houses only 5 million people. But what looms large is its attractiveness to vacationers. Once within its borders, visitors discover a country with a lush landscape, deep cultural roots and a bounty of golf courses that find their way on to lists of the world's best, both of the old and young variety. More...

Ireland Golf Packages

GolfEurope.com is your complete source for golf travel information and golf vacation packages to Ireland. Once you have selected your preferred golf courses, we invite you to request a free vacation quote. Based on your preferences, we will custom design a vacation for you.

Golf tours and vacations in Ireland

Ardglass Golf Club Ireland hardly plays second fiddle to Scotland's golf Mecca anymore, as the isle has progressed by leaps and bounds over the last several decades. Today, you'll find as many suitable options for a links golf getaway as anywhere in the world. Striking coastal landscape and dramatic dunesland are littered with courses 100 years old or more, as well as more modern additions.

The country's second oldest course continues to be one of its most revered. The Royal Dublin Golf Club has survived over a century of existence, a World War and a ravaging fire. And then there is another royalty amid many, Royal County Down, a challenging links course on the northeastern coast, is host to the 2007 Walker Cup.

Also in Northern Ireland isRoyal Portrush, the Emerald Isle's only British Open host in 1951. Neighboring local links on the northern coast waiting to be discovered include Portstewart and Castlerock.

The northwest region has also become a value-laden force in the isles. Tee sheets not packed to the gills and greens fees easy on the wallet have made courses like Ballyliffin, Enniscrone, Rosapenna and Rosses Point in Co. Sligo a worthy itinerary. Even Jack Nicklaus is currently building 36 holes on stunning links terrain in the area as well.

The immensely popular southwestern giants are waiting to be awoken as well. The Old Course at Ballybunion is Ireland's most trafficked links course. Waterville and Tralee are just down the road. In the far south lies Old Head, a modern links compliment played on one the world's most incredible golf stages.

Just north is Lahinch: a century-old classic originally built by Old Tom Morris before Alistair Mackenzie realized its true potential in the 1920s. Just north of Lahinch, the Dunes at Doonbeg, a Greg Norman design, opened in 2001 and has become a worthy newcomer to the world-class links fraternity.

A handful of parklands encourage visitors to get off the windswept links and head inland. Mount Joliet is a tree-lined gem, while the K Club in Kildare is a relative newcomer to the Irish golf scene, but is now one of the world's most upscale golf resorts. It was a worthy host to the Ryder Cup in 2006. Many readers write into GolfEurope.com and rave about many of the lesser known clubs so one should take the time to visit one of these between the renowned links.

From coast to coast, Ireland is a haven for spectacular golf, local charm and unforgettable sights. North Americans continue to flock to them each summer however, so booking well in advance is highly encouraged. Going the route of a personalized golf tour guided by Irishmen themselves is the most popular route.

Ireland: more to offer than just golf

No trip to Ireland should be exclusively golf. Take the time to enjoy all the isle has to offer off the course. Be sure to ask locals and tour operators about notable places of interest. Relax in the evenings and tour the local towns and village. Ireland has some of the most wonderful market towns, seaside villages and regional towns with a great community spirit about them. Visit the pubs - especially those with music. Meet and greet the friendly people. The Irish are genuinely interested in people and enjoy a bit of 'blarney' and 'craic'. During the summer months there are many festivals ranging from the Rose of Tralee to the Kinsale Oyster Festival.