We bring you some of the most treasured and best golf links courses not only in Ireland but the world. Our handpicked selection comes from decades of experience as being one of the best Golf Tour operators in Ireland. Over the years we have hosted many clients from all over the world at these great courses and have played a lot of them too. We have included a few lesser known courses that don’t get the limelight, yet perhaps deserve more attention. So enough talking, start exploring!
We have broken down Ireland into four areas so you can visualise where they are and plan your next tour. Look out for a future blog on best inland courses in Ireland.
Bespoke Golf Tours to UK & Ireland
We are Eire Golf Tours, one of the leading golf tour operators to Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales.
South West Ireland
Ballybunion Old
World top 100 ranking: No.19 / Ireland ranking: No.1
You will find two wonderfully challenging & unique world class links golf courses at Ballybunion – the Old Course & the Cashen Course.
Website: www.ballybuniongolfclub.com
Lahinch Old
World top 100 ranking: No.29 / Ireland ranking: No.2
Lahinch Golf Club is one of the finest links golf courses in Ireland. Home to the Dubai Irish Open 2019, hosted by Paul McGinley
Website: www.lahinchgolf.com
Old Head of Kinsale
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.16
Reaching out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the Old Head of Kinsale is home to the most spectacular world-class golf course.
Website: www.oldhead.com
Tralee
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.15
Designed & built by Arnold Palmer, this is a true challenge, what is widely acclaimed as one of the finest links courses in the world.
Website: www.traleegolfclub.com
Waterville
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.5
A mystical experience – the beauty of classic links land, surrounded by the sea, yet forever challenged and shaped by the elements.
Website: www.watervillegolflinks.ie
Doonbeg
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.6
Considered by some to be Greg Norman’s masterpiece, on a site that the major champion / turned designer once called the best he’d ever seen
Website: www.trumpgolfireland.com
Dooks
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.26
A beautiful links set amid the blue waters of Dingle Bay & surrounded by Slieve Mish, Dingle Mountains & McGilly cuddy
Website: www.dooks.com
Bespoke Golf Tours to South West Ireland
We are Eire Golf Tours, one of the leading golf tour operators to Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales.
North West Ireland
Ballyliffin
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.10 (Glashedy), No.17 (Old)
Ballyliffin Golf Club is widely regarded as the finest links complex in Ireland boasting two championship links courses – The Old Links and Glashedy Links.
Website: www.ballyliffingolfclub.com
Enniscrone
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.13
Among the finest and most challenging traditional Irish links golf courses and offers 27 holes on 400 acres of magnificent links land,
Website: www.enniscronegolf.com
Carne
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.12
Situated on magnificent unspoiled sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean near the town of Belmullet.
Website: www.carnegolflinks.com
County Sligo
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.7
This world famous golf course offers an excellent challenge. Filled with dramatic undulations, elevated tees, and raised plateau greens.
Website: www.countysligogolfclub.ie
Donegal
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.18
Engage with the golfing spirits of the past, while you enjoy a truly memorable golfing experience on one of Darren Clarke’s “favourite courses in the world”.
Website: www.donegalgolfclub.ie
Narin and Portnoo
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.28
Standing inspirationally on the West coast of Ireland, in a place steeped in ancient history & folklore Golf has been played on the links since 1905.
Website: www.narinandportnoolinks.com
Rosapenna
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.9 (Sandy Hills), No. 31 (Old Tom Morris)
This world famous class golf resort with twocourse offers an excellent challenge. Filled with dramatic undulations, elevated tees, and raised plateau greens.
Website: www.rosapenna.ie
Portsalon
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.21
An exhilarating golf course, situated in a stunning location with most of the holes weaving their way between sand dunes.
Website: www.portsalongolfclub.ie
Bespoke Golf Tours to North West Ireland
We are Eire Golf Tours, one of the leading golf tour operators to Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales.
Dublin & East Ireland
Portmarnock
World top 100 ranking: No.48 / Ireland ranking: No.3
Considered by many as one of the fairest links courses in the world it delivers an incredible challenge and true test of golf.
Website: www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie
Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.19
For such a modern layout, this is a very natural and understated course. There is nothing showy about the design, the natural links land is used simply and effectively. The ancestral family estate of the famous Jameson’s whisky family.
Website: www.portmarnock.com
The European
World top 100 ranking: No.93 / Ireland ranking: No.4
The European Club is widely recognised as one of the last great links courses to be built in the 20th century.
Website: www.theeuropeanclub.com
County Louth
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.11
County Louth Golf Club, or Baltray as it is more commonly known, has established itself as one of Ireland’s finest links courses.
Website: www.countylouthgolfclub.com
Royal Dublin
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.23
Situated on an island reserve in the heart of Dublin City. It is Ireland’s second oldest golf club.
Website: www.theroyaldublingolfclub.com
The Island
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.8
A classic links course bordered by sea on 3 sides. Set in a rugged terrain & nestled between the highest sand dunes along the east coast.
Website: www.theislandgolfclub.ie
Seapoint
World top 100 ranking: n/a / Ireland ranking: No.50
A beautiful links golf course overlooking the Mourne mountains and the Irish Sea. “There is not a weak hole on the entire golf course” – Padraig Harrington
Website: www.seapointgolflinks.com
Bespoke Golf Tours to Dublin & East Ireland
We are Eire Golf Tours, one of the leading golf tour operators to Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales.
Northern Ireland
Royal County Down
World ranking: No.4 / Northern Ireland Ranking: No.1
One of the most photographed courses in the world, Royal County Down boasts arguably the most spectacular setting of any of our traditional links.
Website: www.royalcountydown.org
Royal Portrush
World ranking: No.11 / Northern Ireland Ranking: No.2 (Dunluce Links); No.6 (Valley Course)
Home to one of the best and most challenging links golf courses in the world, the Dunluce Links, where the 148th Open Championship was staged. The Valley Course is a great second option at Royal Portrush.
Website: www.royalportrushgolfclub.com
Portstewart
World ranking: n/a / Northern Ireland Ranking: No.3
Founded in 1894 and home to three fine true links golf courses. Few clubs in the British Isles or Ireland can claim to have three courses under their name
Website: www.portstewartgc.co.uk
Castlerock
World ranking: n/a / Northern Ireland Ranking: No.4
A classic links course set amid towering dunes. Situated on the Causeway coast, only a 20 minute drive from both Royal Portrush and Portstewart Golf Club.
Website: www.castlerockgc.co.uk
Ardglass
World ranking: n/a / Northern Ireland Ranking: No.8
A stunning course in a natural setting hugging the north-east coast, with stunning views & unique layout. Home to the world’s oldest clubhouse dating back to 1405AD.
Website: www.ardglassgolfclub.com
Bespoke Golf Tours to Northern Ireland
We are Eire Golf Tours, one of the leading golf tour operators to Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales.
Eire Golf Tours Recommends...
With some many great options we are not going to recommend one location. Instead we recommend not rushing around to visit more than one area unless you really have the time. You are better off exploring one location and getting the best out of the area.
Hidden Gem
We played County Sligo recently and absolutely loved it. One of a number of great reasons to visit North West Ireland
Bucket List
The Old course at Lahinch has been described as the St. Andrews of Ireland and is a course very close to heart but there are so many to choose from.
2020 EGT Recommendation
Royal Portrush following it’s very successful hosting The Open in 2019.
One to watch
Not a links but Adare Manor. The host of the Ryder Cup in 2026
How Eire Golf Tours can help you…
If you haven’t already noticed, we are a Golf Tour Operator. We create bespoke golf tours to Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales. Our ethos is to excite and entice you. We want you to visualise your experience in advanced on travel.
We can secure you guaranteed tee times on the world’s best golf courses, handpick your perfect accommodation and organisation of a range of transport options. We do this in a way that takes all the hassle and stress out of preparing for a trip. Instead you can focus on ensuring your swing is in the best possible shape and get ready for the most incredible golf tour.
Why us?
We are a family business and in our second generation. We were one of the founding members of the industry in Ireland. We are an Irish registered business, born and bred in South West Ireland. We are friendly, helpful and keen to work with you to ensure you have the best possible golf tour.
If we can help you in anyway with putting a tour together do let us know and we would be delighted to help.
Make sure you follow our social channels for more exciting news, offers and tour updates.
Happy Golfing,
The Eire Golf Tours Team
