Golf courses in Ireland

With its scenic coastal and dune landscape, charming hospitality and historical sights, Ireland is an ideal golf location. Nearly a third of the world's link golf courses are found in Ireland, and its wide range of distinctly sculptured courses are suited to golfers of all levels.

In the South, the Republic of Ireland is home to some of the country's most famous championship golf courses including Ballybunion, Old Head, Lahinch, and Portmarnock. Ballybunion is the most popular links course, while Old Head contains arguably some of the most spectacular golf green scenery in the country. Lahinch is a century old course built by Tom Morris in 1920, and Portamarnock is situated just north of Dublin on the edge of the Irish Sea.

In Northern Ireland, golf courses include Royal County Down on the East Coast near Newcastle, and Royal Portrush on the Northeast Coast. Royal County Down hosts the 2007 Walker Cup and is renowned as one of the finest links courses in the world. Royal Portrush is a challenging course situated on sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and consistently rates as one of the world's top ten golf courses.

Besides these popular locations, lesser known golf courses in Ireland offer equally impressive surroundings and quality of course. High golf season is during the summer months from May to August, so advance booking is essential.

Green Free Golf offers a golf course directory which details the top Ireland golf courses to help you organise your golfing holiday to Ireland.