Golf Trips to Ireland & Northern Ireland
Ireland blends raw coastal beauty, warm hospitality, and world-class links golf in a way that feels both timeless and magnetic. From the windswept dunes and iconic courses of Northern Ireland to the dramatic Atlantic cliffs and storied layouts of the Southwest, golfers experience landscapes tied together by the unmistakable charm of the Emerald Isle.
Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Ballybunion, Portmarnock, and many more can all be woven into a customized itinerary designed around how you want to experience Ireland. Beyond the fairways, you’ll find lively pubs with traditional music, ancient castles, cliff walks, exceptional seafood, coastal villages, and the warmth of communities that make every evening as memorable as the golf.
Below is a comprehensive guide to planning a golf trip to Ireland, with top courses, an interactive map (desktop only), accommodation advice, transportation tips, weather insights, and more. Scroll down to explore—the Emerald Isle awaits.
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Ireland & Northern Ireland
Your Ultimate Trip Planning Resource for Golf in Ireland
*Use the desktop version to view our interactive map.
World Top 100 Golf Courses
Ireland is home to 19 of the Golf Digest World Top 100 golf courses.
Royal County Down (Championship)
1
Royal Portrush (Dunluce)
4
Ballybunion (Old)
10
Lahinch (Old)
27
Portmarnock (Championship)
37
Rosapenna (St. Patrick's Links)
49
Waterville
53
Old Head
77
Royal Portrush (Valley)
82
Enniscrone (Dunes)
87
County Sligo/Rosses Point (Colt Championship)
88
Tralee
89
The European Club
90
Portstewart (Strand)
92
The Open Championship Courses
Scotland is home to seven courses to host The Open Championship. Pioneer Golf has long standing relationships with all of these courses and is happy to book tee times at as many of these courses that your itinerary allows.
The Hidden Gems
Courses that rival The Open Championship Courses in every way, but they haven't made it on the rotation.. yet.
Adare Manor
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South West
Adare Manor offers a championship course of exceptional quality, known for its pristine conditioning and playability at the highest level. With its blend of luxury, elegance, and challenge, Adare Manor promises an unforgettable golf experience worthy of its reputation as the 2027 Ryder Cup host. read more
Ardglass
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Northern Ireland
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Ardglass is a breathtaking cliffside links where nearly every hole offers dramatic views of the Irish Sea. The course begins beside a 14th-century castle clubhouse (the oldest in golf) and unfolds across rugged terrain with holes that hug the coastline. read more
Ballyliffin (Glashedy)
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North West
Ballyliffin’s Glashedy Links, set on the rugged Inishowen Peninsula, is often hailed as Ireland’s most northerly championship course and one of its finest. It features massive dunes, wide rolling fairways, and challenging greens framed by panoramic views of Glashedy Rock and the Atlantic Ocean. read more
Carne (Wild Atlantic Dunes)
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North West
Carne’s Wild Atlantic Dunes course is a dramatic links carved through some of the tallest dunes in Ireland, offering a raw and unforgettable golfing adventure. Remote and unspoiled, it delivers sweeping ocean views and a layout that feels completely in tune with the natural landscape. read more
County Louth/Baltray
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Dublin
County Louth Golf Club, affectionately known as “Baltray,” is a classic championship links that has long been admired for its natural flow and understated brilliance. The course unfolds across gentle dunes with firm fairways, strategic bunkering, and subtle greens that demand thoughtful shot-making. read more
Connemara
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West
Remote, scenic, and authentically Irish, Connemara delivers a memorable golf experience in one of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes. read more
Cruit Island
North West
Cruit Island Golf Club is a nine-hole links perched dramatically on the edge of the Atlantic, offering scenery as unforgettable as the golf itself. The course is carved into rugged cliffs and rolling dunes, with thrilling shots played over inlets and along the ocean’s edge. read more
Dooks
South West
Dooks is known for its natural beauty, quirky character, and welcoming atmosphere, offering a more relaxed but still challenging links experience. read more
Donegal
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North West
Donegal stretches over massive dunes and open terrain, demanding both length and precision while offering stunning coastal views. read more
Druids Glen
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Dublin
Druids Glen, often called the “Augusta of Ireland,” is a parkland masterpiece set in the Wicklow countryside just south of Dublin. Known for its lush fairways, vibrant floral displays, and dramatic water features, the course offers a picturesque yet challenging test of golf. read more
Portmarnock Resort (Jameson Links)
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Dublin
Jameson Links at Portmarnock Resort is a beautifully reimagined links that combines classic seaside golf with modern design touches. read more
Narin & Portnoo
North West
Remote yet unforgettable, Narin & Portnoo offers a pure and exhilarating links experience in one of Ireland’s most scenic settings. read more
Rosapenna (Sandy Hills)
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North West
Rosapenna’s Sandy Hills Links is a modern classic set among towering dunes on Ireland’s northern coast. It offers a challenging layout with narrow, rolling fairways and elevated greens that test precision and creativity. read more
Royal Dublin
Dublin
Royal Dublin Golf Club, is Ireland’s second oldest club and a true championship links. With its rich history, traditional feel, and convenient location, Royal Dublin offers an authentic links experience right on the capital’s doorstep. read more
The Island
Dublin
The Island Golf Club, nestled on a rugged peninsula north of Dublin, is one of Ireland’s purest and most dramatic links. Surrounded by sea on three sides, the course winds through towering dunes and tight fairways that demand accuracy and creativity. read more
The K Club (Palmer North)
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Dublin
The K Club’s Palmer North Course was the host of the 2006 Ryder Cup. Designed by Arnold Palmer, it combines wide, tree-lined fairways with dramatic water hazards and pristine conditioning to create a challenging yet enjoyable test. read more
Trump International Ireland/Doonbeg
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South West
Trump Doonbeg, set along the dramatic County Clare coastline, is a visually stunning links with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. With its luxurious accommodations and world-class service, Doonbeg delivers a blend of championship golf and five-star resort experience. read more
Sample Packages
Our Nine most popular trips
Southwest of Ireland
Northern Ireland
Dublin
North of Ireland
Northwest of Ireland
Northern Ireland & Dublin
Northern Ireland & North Ireland
Packages
Additional Travel Information
Where should I stay?
The options in a bit more detail…
Ready to dive into some details?
What do other groups do?
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Rental Vehicle
- Autonomy/Flexibility
- Cost
- Steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle
- Driving on the left side of the road
- Dealing with busy roundabouts and narrow roads
- Fender benders and dealing with insurance if something happens
- Parking (especially in Dublin)
- No local driver to lean on for advice (or driving)
- Gasoline and diesel are significantly more expensive than in the US
Private Group Transfers
- Worry-free - no need to worry about driving on the other side of the road, dealing with roundabouts and narrow roads, or finding how to get to your destination
- Cost
- Little or no flexibility to adjust pickup or dropoff times once on trip
- If you don’t appear for the pickup at arrange time, you may lose your transfer
- Can’t leave belongings in vehicle
- Can’t stop for lunch or to visit the castle on the way unless prearranged
- Limited availability (only Dublin area)
Full-time Private Chauffeur and Vehicle
- It will add so much to your experience!
- Worry-free - no need to worry about driving on the other side of the road, dealing with roundabouts and narrow roads, or finding how to get to your destination
- We use the best vehicles available in Ireland
- Our drivers are awesome and will make your trip special
- You can leave belongings in vehicle
- You can stop for lunch, dinner, or to visit the castle on the way (subject to driver limitations)
- Cost (although it becomes much more affordable with more people in the group).
- Driver Limitations (although generally not much of an issue in the UK as restrictions are generous)
Annual Temperature, Precipitation, and Daylight
The below chart contains the weather information that most golfers are interested in knowing when planning a trip to Ireland. The data below is for the town of Killarney. The weather in the rest of the country and in Northern Ireland is fairly similar; however, the Dublin area is on average a couple of degrees cooler than Killarney each month but does get about 30% less rain most months during the golf season. Portrush in Northern Ireland is on average a few degrees cooler than the Killarney each month and gets a bit less rain than Killarney in the Spring and a bit more rain in the summer. We organize golf trips beginning at the end of March and running through the end of October. Weather is only one of the factors to consider when planning a trip. Be sure to get advice from your Golf Travel Advisor on the other factors (e.g., course closures and availability). Don't make the mistake of choosing your month of travel only based on the weather!
Courses in Ireland & Northern Ireland
Ardglass
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Ballybunion - Cashen Course
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Ballybunion – Old Course
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Belvoir Park
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Carne (Belmullet)
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Castlerock – Mussenden Course
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