Golf Travel 
Leaderboards 
Become a Member 
Shop 
Trade In Travel
Golf in Ireland: The Ultimate Golf Trip Guide
Published on
A view from Lahinch Golf Club (Photo courtesy of Lahinch Golf Club)
Pinch me to make sure I’m not dreaming.
That’s how you’ll feel the entire time you’re visiting Ireland. From breathtaking sites to historic places and unbelievable golf courses, Ireland can’t help but show off for her visitors.
The East Coast
Starting in Dublin, you’ll be shocked by the quality of the courses within an hour.
First up is The K Club. Host of the 2026 PGA Cup, a biennial match between the PGA of America and The PGA of Great Britain and Ireland for the Llandudno International Trophy, The K Club features two fun 18-hole parkland courses designed by Arnold Palmer. Adding to the K Club’s allure, the 2006 Ryder Cup was played here, so you can walk the same fairways as the Ryder Cup legends. The K Club focuses on fun and offers many attractions beyond the courses, including boat trips, falconry, fishing, and more.
"The K Club is Ireland's premier golf resort and the only 36-hole Arnold Palmer-designed destination in Europe. Set across 550 acres of beautiful parkland in County Kildare, it offers two championship courses, world-class practice facilities and luxury five-star hospitality, making it one of the most sought-after golf destinations in Ireland. Renowned for hosting some of golf's most prestigious events, The K Club combines championship golf with exceptional accommodation, dining and genuine Irish hospitality, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors traveling to Ireland." - PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Golf Professional Michael Maxwell, Director of Golf at the K Club
Just 10 miles north of Dublin City, Portmarnock Golf Club sits on a narrow tongue of shallow duneland. Virtually unchanged since the late 1890s, Portmarnock boasts a rich tournament history, with greats like Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Tiger Woods, and Seve Ballesteros all playing its historic layout. Seve stated, "I always enjoy my time in Ireland, but in particular playing links golf at fantastic courses like Portmarnock."
The adventure continues at Royal Dublin Golf Club, crossing the wooden bridge from Clontarf to North Bull Island. Founded in 1885, Royal Dublin Golf Club is one of Ireland’s oldest clubs. A true links course, Royal Dublin features a classic Harry Colt design that blends perfectly with the stunning beauty of Bull Island. Throughout your round at Royal Dublin, you’ll be swapping between hitting shots with your clubs and taking shots with your camera.
And here’s the hidden gem: The Island Golf Club. Originally discovered by boat in 1887, The Island was skillfully routed through the towering dunes to create an unforgettable layout. You’ll be treated to a classic links experience while playing through some of the most stunning dunes in Eastern Ireland. All your Instagram friends will be jealous.
"For me, what really stands out about Ireland is that you can easily access and experience some of the very best clubs in the world and still feel genuinely welcome. At places like Portmarnock, Lahinch, Royal Portrush and so many others, there’s a fantastic balance between the history and traditions you’d expect from a great club and the warmth of the staff and members. Irish people are some of the most friendly and welcoming people you’ll meet anywhere, and that culture really comes through in the way visitors are treated at these clubs.What’s also unique is that many of Ireland’s great courses are private members’ clubs but they open their doors to visitors on designated days and times. As a visitor, you never feel like you’re intruding — you feel like you’re being welcomed into the club for the day. The local members you meet and connect with on the course or in the clubhouse often become a memorable part of the experience, and that sense of connection is something you don’t always get when traveling to play golf." - PGA of America Golf Professional David DeNichilo, PGA, Assistant Golf Professional at Portmarnock
The Stops
No trip to Ireland is complete without a stop at the Guinness Storehouse. Explore Ireland's world-famous stout, experience Irish culture & heritage at the home of the tasty drink. For the academics, Trinity College is a must-visit for a chance to explore the historic campus and check out the Book of Kells Experience and the Long Room in the Old Library. You can also shop till you drop on Grafton Street, one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets, with something for everyone (souvenir time!). Lastly, a stop at Croke Park is a must for any sports enthusiast to catch a hurling match or explore the GAA museum.
The Food
Make the most of iconic Irish food while you’re in town. A stop at The Gravediggers Pub is a must. The Gravediggers has served patrons since 1833 and is legendary for its pints of Guinness and the cemetery next door, with gravesites of some famous Irish figures. Fish and chips from Leo Burdock are a staple you can't miss. For breakfast, Bewley's has been a favorite for nearly 100 years, with their traditional full Irish breakfast. And if you’re looking for a boxty (traditional Irish potato pancake), Gallaghers Boxty House features recipes dating back to 17th-18th century Ireland, reimagined for the 21st century.
The West Coast
All eyes are on Adare Manor as it prepares to host the 100th Ryder Cup next year. You’ll definitely want to check out the expansive grounds (840 acres) and impressive Manor House at Adare before you head out on the course to see where the world’s best will compete in 2027. Tom Fazio worked his magic on this special parkland course as it wove through lush, softly rolling terrain, mature tree-scraping, and the sweeping banks of the River Maigue. Take note of all the best viewing angles as you play so you know where to catch the Ryder Cup action next year.
You can’t talk about links golf without calling out Ballybunion. Set on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Ballybunion’s two courses will take you on an adventure of a lifetime. The Old Course, founded in 1893, is widely considered one of the finest links courses in the world. Artfully woven through the towering dunes, The Old Course appears like it has always existed. Created nearly 100 years later, the Watson Cashen Course was built to be, in many ways, more irascible, more spectacular, more brutal, more unforgiving, and more difficult to tame than its older, more celebrated sibling, with higher dunes and deeper valleys. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better duo of courses to play at the same facility anywhere in the world.
Set on an incredible piece of coastline just 10km from the impressive Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch Golf Club is another must-play gem. Having worked with some of the game’s most iconic designers over the years, including Old Tom Morris, Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Dr. Martin Hawtree, the Old Course at Lahinch features incredible hole after incredible hole as it weaves in ever-changing directions through the awesome dunes and valleys, humps and hollows. Be sure to save time to play the Castle course with its namesake “Dough Castle” providing a memorable backdrop to the 7th hole. Surfers take note, as amazing the golf courses here are, the waves are just as special at Lahinch Beach.
Another historic course that you simply cannot miss is Waterville. A remote, old-style links course on the Atlantic, Waterville can trace its golf history to the 1880s. More recently, Tom Fazio’s renovation created an exciting layout that is both fun to play and built to protect the course for years to come. As you play, you will notice the enhanced beauty and tranquility that elevates the experience to a whole new level.
"We wish all our American friends a warm welcome to Ireland and our friendly highly skilled caddies and hospitality teams will take good care of you." - PGA of America Master Professional Paul McLoughlin, PGA, and Director of Instruction at McLoughlin Golf
The Stops
The Cliffs of Moher are a can’t-miss site. One of the natural wonders of the world, the Cliffs rise over 700 feet and show you the awesome beauty and power of the Atlantic Ocean like only Ireland can. Next stop: Blarney Castle, home of the iconic Blarney Stone. While its lore has spread wider than its history, the Blarney Stone is said to have magical properties, so it’s wise to kiss it. More incredible scenery awaits you at the Dingle Peninsula, which stretches over 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and whose natural beauty will fill your camera roll. For the truly adventurous, the Sceilg Mhichíl UNESCO World Heritage Property is quite the experience. Only reachable by boat during select months, Sceilg Mhichíl is a remote island with beehive-shaped stone huts built before the 13th century. The trek can be a challenge but it’s well worth it.
The Food
On Ireland's west coast, you’ll be treated to a wide variety of cuisines. Starting with historic Dick Mack’s Pub and Brewery, you can get the authentic Irish pub experience Dick Mack’s has provided for well over 100 years. Next up for the adventurous eater, Moran’s Oyster Cottage serves varieties of Oysters and has been a family business for over 250 years. Another unique food to Ireland is the iconic “spice bag” from Xi’an Street Food. Inspired by the flavors of the historic city of Xi’an, China, spice bags feature an original (and delicious) Irish take on Chinese food. The last stop in Limerick should be the Milk Market. A spot to find nearly anything (including delicious local food), the Milk Market has fresh finds, local flavors and unique treasures all under one roof.
