The Global Golfer · Ireland

Golf in Ireland — The Wild Atlantic Way

Five excellent courses, practical travel advice and places to stay. Plan around confirmed tee times and leave enough time to enjoy the coast.

Plan my Ireland golf break View stay-and-play options

Best forLinks purists

Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville and more.

Best forRoad trips

A sensible route with time between rounds.

Best forGroups

Courses with good dining and group-friendly stays nearby.

Best forGolf and recovery

Country-house stays, spas and slower coastal days.

Choose the Ireland that suits you

Three distinct golf journeys

Ireland works best when you choose a coast and resist trying to do too much.

Best classic route

South West

Choose this for Ballybunion, Waterville, Tralee and Dooks with strong touring logistics.

Plan the South West

Best for character

Clare & Galway

Choose this for Lahinch, Doonbeg and a wilder Atlantic rhythm.

Plan Clare & Galway

Best for championship golf

Northern Ireland

Choose this for Royal County Down, Royal Portrush and a shorter elite itinerary.

Plan Northern Ireland

Courses worth building a trip around

Where to play—and why

Each course gives the trip a different emotional centre and a clear reason to book.

Ballybunion Old

Kerry · Natural links

Choose it if: towering dunes and raw links character matter most.

One of golf’s most natural and emotionally powerful settings.

Read the course guide →

Lahinch Old

Clare · Historic links

Choose it if: personality, history and memorable blind shots appeal.

A distinctive MacKenzie links with one of Ireland’s best golf-town atmospheres.

Read the course guide →

Waterville

Kerry · Remote championship links

Choose it if: remoteness and a grand sense of journey are part of the appeal.

A magnificent end-of-the-road course on the Ring of Kerry.

Read the course guide →

Royal Portrush

County Antrim · Championship links

Choose it if: Open pedigree and dramatic duneland are central to the trip.

A world-class northern anchor that pairs naturally with Royal County Down.

Read the course guide →

Stay · Play · Recover

Choose the stay for your type of trip

The best Ireland itineraries balance driving, demanding golf and restorative evenings.

Best country-house stay

Sheen Falls Lodge

Choose this for Kenmare, Kerry golf and a polished retreat between rounds.

Plan Kerry

Best complete resort

Adare Manor

Choose this for a landmark hotel, major-championship pedigree and serious spa recovery.

Plan Adare

Best coastal recovery

Parknasilla Resort

Choose this for water views, spa facilities and a slower Ring of Kerry base.

Plan Parknasilla

Plan the next step

Plan your Ireland golf trip

Choose your courses and travel dates, compare accommodation and make sure your itinerary works with the available tee times.

Build my Ireland trip Compare destinations

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South West

Clare & Galway

Northern Ireland

Ballybunion Old

Lahinch Old

Waterville

Royal Portrush

Sheen Falls Lodge

Adare Manor

Parknasilla Resort

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Golf in Ireland — The Wild Atlantic Way: 5 Courses You Must Play

Golf in Ireland — The Wild Atlantic Way

Three distinct golf journeys

South West

Clare & Galway

Northern Ireland

Where to play—and why

Ballybunion Old

Lahinch Old

Waterville

Royal Portrush

Choose the stay for your type of trip

Sheen Falls Lodge

Adare Manor

Parknasilla Resort

Plan your Ireland golf trip

Global Spa & Golf Club

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