Golf Ireland
Golf Ireland and experience the beautiful Emerald Isle, the friendly people, the compelling history.
Golf in Ireland
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Outstanding golf courses can be found throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland. Several itinerary choices will allow you to explore one region in depth or combine various regions. A tour of two weeks will allow a group to sample all the regions of the Isle. Castles, manor houses, historic hotels and stunning resorts are in beautiful locations, convenient to golf, throughout.
Southwest Ireland (The Killarney Area Program)
Spend two days near the sea and experience county towns and fishing villages, enjoy the evenings in pubs that feature traditional Irish music. Then spend four days and nights in beautiful Killarney Town, by the shores of Lough Leane and in the shadow of Ireland’s highest mountains. Explore colorful laneways, a fine cathedral, and historic buildings dating back centuries. Finally, travel to the quintessential Irish village of Kinsale. You will be captivated by the town’s long waterfront, narrow streets and slate-clad houses. Enjoy lakes, mountains and panoramic views throughout the area.
Key Golf Courses: Lahinch, Ballybunion, Tralee, Doonbeg, Killarney, Waterville, Old Head
Sampling of Hotels: Deluxe – In Killarney The elegant 4-star Aghadoe Heights Hotel, has stunning views, rich furnishings, excellent cuisine, and its own stretch of river for fishing, and a leisure facility including tennis. In Kinsale, Trident is on the water’s edge allowing guests to view one of the prettiest harbors in Europe.
First Class – In Killarney, Randles Court, where you can enjoy comfort and elegance of an era long since past complimented by the most modern of facilities. Near the coast in the Village of Ballybunion is the historic Listowel Arms Inn. In Kinsale, Long Quay House, a Georgina guesthouse is near the town center.
Eastern Ireland (The Dublin Area Program)
Partmarnock 18th Hole
Dublin is an exciting, bustling city steeped in history and youthful energy with much to do during the day and in the evening after your round of golf. Medieval, Georgian and modern architecture provide a backdrop to a friendly bustling port, where the cosmopolitan and charming converge in the delightful diversity that is Dublin. Enjoy pubs with Irish music and Irish hospitality, historic places, and a variety of entertainment. Your tour will also take you for two nights to the delightful town of Wicklow, known as the garden of Ireland.
Key Golf Courses (near Dublin): Druids Glen, Royal Dublin, Portmarnock, The Island, County Louth, The European Club, The K Club.
Sampling of Hotels: Deluxe – In Dublin, The historic Hibernian Hotel, a magnificent architectural feat, constructed just before 1900 and renovated in 1993. The Grafton Capitol has a unique blend of modern ease and bygone atmosphere, and it is ideally situated to explore the delights of Dublin. In Wicklow, Hunters, one of Ireland’s oldest coaching inns with picturesque gardens along the banks of the River Varty.
First Class – In Dublin: The Redbank Guest House in Skeries, which is on the sea near Dublin and close to many of the golf courses. In Wicklow. The Glendalough near the heart of Wicklow’s most scenic valley and within the Glendalough National Park.
Northern Ireland Program
Royal County Down
Northern Ireland’s golf history extends well over a century, when Royal Belfast became the first golf club in 1881. Northern Ireland has dozens of courses created in the late 1800s and early 1900s; many designed by some of the leading and most innovative course architects of the day, such as Harry Colt, Tom Norris and Alistair McKenzie. Tours are very affordable.
Key Golf Courses: Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Portstewart Golf Club, Castlerock Golf Club, and Malone in Belfast.
Sampling of hotels: Slieve Donard Hotel is an historic hotel near Royal County Down, Newcastle; Royal Court Hotel and Bushmills Inn near are the north coast; Ballygally Castle, is a true castle along the coast.
Northwest Ireland Program
Carne 17th Hole
In the counties of northwest Ireland–adjacent to Northern Ireland–golfers are treated to many more outstanding links courses and fine accommodations. This is also a very affordable tour area, often combined with Northern Ireland or Ireland’s west coast.
Key Golf Courses: Ballyliffin, Carne, Connemara, County Sligo, Donegal, Enniscrone, and Rosapenna Sandy Links.
Sampling of Hotels: Rathmullen House, Donegal, Downhill House Hotel, Ballina
Our Irish Golf Tour Packages include:
- All accommodations in historic hotels, manor houses, castles, deluxe resorts.
- Golf at world renown courses and Classic Heritage discoveries
- Full Irish breakfasts each day
- Full sightseeing program for non-golfers
- Rental vehicle, including CDW and unlimited mileage, or driver and luxury coach
- Classic heritage Tours guest and information pack
- Baggage handling and all local taxes
Championship Courses of Ireland
Ballybunion
Ballybunion Golf Club consists of probably the best two combined courses in Ireland. Founded in 1893, the Old Course, ranked by many as the best course in Ireland and in the world’s top 25, was designed by Simpson McKenna, while the Cashen Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. At Ballybunion, the duneland above
Ballyliffin
Ireland’s most northerly course has 36 holes to savor—two outstanding and contrasting links courses: the classic Old Links and the magnificent new Glashedy Links. It was once considered the ultimate hidden gem, but now is considered one of Ireland’s best.
Carne
Carne Golf Links lies in magnificent unspoiled sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean near Belmullet Co. Mayo in the west of Ireland. Carne was the last links course to be designed by the late Eddie Hackett and it is now believed by many who have played it to his greatest challenge.
Old Head
Seven years in the making on what must be one of the world’s truly remarkable and natural sites. The rocky vistas, 100 meters above the surf, oversee the final resting place of the Lusitania, the Cunard passenger liner torpedoed in the Irish Sea by a German U-boat in 1915. This extraordinary course—which opened in early
Portmarnock
Portmarnock Golf Club is located on a small peninsula which extends itself just briefly southward into the Irish Sea north of Dublin. Surrounded by water on three sides and laid out in a serpentine fashion, no two successive holes play in the same direction. Unlike many links courses which play nine out and nine home,
Royal County Down
If Northern Ireland had a signature course then Royal County Down Golf Club would be it. It’s nestled in the huge sand dunes beside the town of Newcastle in view of the Mountains of Mourne. It is considered one of the top golf courses in the world by many. The legendary Tom Morris laid out
Royal Portrush
One of three ‘Royal’ courses in Northern Ireland, Portrush is on everybody’s short-list of top Irish courses, a great test of any golfer’s shot-making and nerve. It is famous not only for its magnificent turf and superb golf holes but also for its lovely setting. Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Course is laid out in a marvelous
Tralee
The original course was designed in 1896, but was redesigned by Arnold Palmer in 1989, the first course designed by him in Europe. It is a course with two distinct halves. The front nine is on more open flat land, set on cliff tops and any of the greens on the outward nine enjoy settings
