Top 9 Best Golf Courses in Ireland – Must-Play in 2026/2027

With more than 400 courses scattered across Ireland, picking the right spot for your game isn’t simple. The landscape ranges from wind-swept Atlantic dunes to quiet inland estates, giving players a massive variety of terrain. Whether you want towering coastal cliffs or classic championship layouts, these nine courses stand out as essential stops for any trip. 

Most Thrilling Golf Courses in Ireland for 2026/2027 Golf Tours

1. Old Head Golf Links, County Cork

Address: Downmacpatrick Or Oldhead, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland

Old Head Golf Links

Old Head sits on a narrow piece of land extending over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Half of its holes run directly along 300 foot cliff edges, so wind and mental pressure play a huge role on nearly every swing. The layout features five par 3s and five par 5s, with constant views of the sea and the historic Old Head Lighthouse. Serious golfers sometimes argue about whether it counts as a true links course, but no one denies how thrilling those tee shots over the ocean feel.

2. Ballybunion Golf Club, County Kerry

Address: Sandhill Rd, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, V31 RX37, Ireland

Ballybunion Golf Club

Ballybunion Old Course sits directly along the Atlantic coast, carved through massive natural sand dunes. The layout starts with a famous quirk, placing an active cemetery right alongside the first fairway. The ocean views take over around the 6th hole, leading into an unforgettable back nine. The signature test is the par 4 11th hole, named after Tom Watson, where you have to line up your tee shot over the beach and let the coastal winds drift your ball back onto a narrow, multi tiered fairway right on the water edge.

3. Portmarnock Golf Club, County Dublin

Address: Golf Links Rd, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin, D13 KD96, Ireland

Portmarnock Golf Club

Portmarnock sits on a quiet sand spit just north of Dublin, tucked between a tidal estuary and the Irish Sea. The layout follows a classic out and back routing where the wind direction changes completely on the turn, forcing you to rethink every club choice on the back nine. Greens are notoriously well guarded by deep pot bunkers, and the 15th hole stands out as a particularly tough par 3 where you have to carry a massive dune face to reach a shallow target. Walking the fairways here feels less like playing a modern resort track and more like stepping back into the early days of Irish golf.

4. Lahinch Golf Club, County Clare

Address: Dough, Lahinch, Co. Clare, Ireland

Lahinch Golf Club

Lahinch sits right on Liscannor Bay, carved out of some of the tallest sand dunes in Irish golf. Designed by Old Tom Morris in 1892 and later tweaked by Alister MacKenzie, it is famous for throwing blind shots at you when you least expect them. The par 4 4th hole, Klondyke, forces you to hit over a giant sand ridge without seeing where your ball lands, while the par 3 5th, Dell, tucks the green entirely between two dunes. Atlantic weather rolls in fast here, and locals still watch the goats roaming the dunes to guess if rain is on the way.

5. County Louth Golf Club, County Louth

Address: Golf Club, Baltray, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 HK03, Ireland

County Louth Golf Club

County Louth, known locally as Baltray, sits on a quiet stretch of coast where the River Boyne meets the Irish Sea. Designed by Tom Simpson in 1938, the layout relies on subtle ground rolls, deep pot bunkers, and fast, firm greens rather than dramatic ocean drop offs. The course requires real control off the tee, particularly when the wind picks up on the back nine. The par 4 14th hole is a standout test, asking for a precise drive to set up an approach over steep slopes into a heavily guarded green. Baltray remains a favorite among players for its straightforward, unpretentious test of traditional links golf.

6. Waterville Golf Links, County Kerry

Address: Murreagh, Waterville, Co. Kerry, V23 W940, Ireland

Waterville Golf Links

Waterville sits on a narrow spit of land wedged between Ballinskelligs Bay and the Inny River estuary right along the Ring of Kerry. Originally laid out in 1889 and later overhauled by Eddie Hackett and Tom Fazio, the course stretches through open, wind swept dunes with zero shelter from the elements. The signature test is the par 3 17th, Mulcahy’s Peak, perched on the highest dune on the property with panoramic views of the sea and surrounding mountains. It is a pure, unpretentious round of links golf that relies on natural ocean breezes rather than artificial tricks to challenge your game.

7. The European Club, County Wicklow

Address: Ardanairy, Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

The European Club

The European Club sits on the sand dunes of Brittas Bay, about an hour south of Dublin. Owned and designed by golf writer Pat Ruddy, the layout uniquely features 20 holes rather than the standard 18, adding two extra par 3s to the round. The course is famous for its massive greens and deep bunkers lined with heavy wooden railway sleepers. Sweeping along the edge of the Irish Sea, it delivers a stern, uncompromising test of golf where strong coastal winds force you to work for every single par.v

8. Adare Manor, County Limerick

Address: Adare, Co. Limerick, V94 W8WR, Ireland

Adare Manor

Adare Manor underwent a total overhaul by Tom Fazio in 2017, turning the estate into Ireland’s premier luxury parkland venue. It sits in total contrast to the country’s rugged coastal links, offering pure bentgrass fairways, underground heat systems for the greens, and immaculate conditioning. The course is set to host the Ryder Cup in 2027, putting its strategic hazards and manicured routing on world stage. The true test of the round comes at the par 3 16th, where you have to carry the River Maigue to reach a shallow target tucked right against the water

9. Dooks Golf Club, County Kerry

Address: Dooaghs, Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Dooks Golf Club

Dooks Golf Club sits right on Dingle Bay, framed by views of the MacGillycuddy Reeks mountains and the open ocean. Founded in 1889, it is one of the oldest links layouts in Ireland, offering a quieter, more local feel than some of its famous neighbors in Kerry. The fairways twist over natural sand dunes, leading to small greens that demand careful club choice. The coastal breeze is a factor on nearly every hole, making accuracy off the tee far more important than raw distance.

Conclusion

Each of these golf courses in Ireland is a testament to the country’s love for golf. They’re not just places to play; they’re destinations where the sport’s tradition, the beauty of the land, and the joy of the game converge. So, pack your clubs and set off on an Irish golf adventure that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Read more:

• Top 10 Best New Zealand Golf Courses to Play in 2026
• 10 Best Golf Courses in South Africa, Must-Play in 2026
• Top 12 Best Golf Courses in China for Elite Golfers

FAQs