Also known as "The Emerald Isle", Ireland is almost just as outstanding as Scotland and England

Europe
Ireland

Also known as “the Emerald Isle”, Ireland is almost just as outstanding as Scotland and England (with only a little less tradition and marketing). It doesn’t host a Major Championship (it did once at Royal Portrush), but all the same it has golf courses as good – or even better – as its neighbor island, like Royal County Down, Ardglass, Royal Portrush, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville, Portmarnock or Tralee.

Ireland has lately shaped Major Champions like Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy – who was World #1 during 2012. Paul McGinley will be Ryder Cup Captain at Gleneagles 2014 and rumors say Royal Portush (Dunluce) may host The Open Championship again.

Ireland is a great destination with a lot to do apart from golf. There are so much good courses that one trip may not be enough.
 

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 How to get there

Dublin o Belfast are the two airports to arrive to from most of the points in Europe, while from USA or South America, London may be a necessary stop for connection.
A nice trip to do is to travel to Liverpool to play 3 Open Championship Courses (Royal Lytham St Anne’s, Royal Birkdale and Royal Liverpool) and from there fly to Belfast and play 7 days in Ireland.

 Lodging Options

Ireland offers plenty of options from very nice "Bed & Breakfast" Houses to very good 4 and 5 stars options like Slieve Donard, Ballyliffin, Killarney or even the great Castle at Lough Erne, course that will host the 2017 Irish Open.
Renting a car is what we recommend almost always and Ireland is no exception. The best call is to select not more than 2 destinations, with one nice lodging stop each, and then plan the golf – which is not difficult at all.

The best golf courses

The best courses in the Isle are Links Style, but some inland courses like Lough Erne, Malone or The K Club, host of the unforgettable 2006 Ryder Cup (who will forget Darren

Northern Ireland
- Royal County Down: #1 in UK, in every golf Course Ranking. Designed by Tom Morris, Harry Vardon and Harry Colt, it is located at the feet of the Mourne Mountains and represents a great golf challenge.
- Royal Portrush (Dunluce): Harry Colt created this monument, which hosted The Open in 1951, won by Max Faulkner. Beautiful and challenging to the highest points.
- Lough Erne: designed by Sir Nick Faldo and open to play in 2007, the Course will host 2017 Irish Open. The lake provides some very nice views and heroic carries for the bravest golfers.
We can also mention Ardglass, Portstewart, Malone, Castle Rock o Ballyliffin (Ballybunion of the north).

Republic of  Ireland
- Ballybunion (Old): located in the same town founded by the Bunion family, this jewel from McKenna, Hewson, Simpson & Gourlay is a mandatory stop in Ireland. On a windy day, it can be as tough as Royal County Down.
- Lahinch (Old): golf has been played here since 1890. Created by Old Tom Morris, this venue was then updated and improved by Alister Mackenzie. During 1935, greens were redesigned, but in 1999 Martin Hawtree returned them to original Mackenzie.
- Ballyliffin (Glashedy): usually called the "Royal Dornoch of Ireland” or the "Ballybunion of the North”, was born to reduce play on the Old Course in 1991. The Glashedy Rock looks like Ailsa Craig in Turnberry. Layout goes along the dunes and has nine par 4s of over 400 yds.
We can also add courses like Portmarnock, Waterville, European Club, Tralee or The K Club as other options to complete the golf trip.

The recommended time to book your trip

Although Ireland is close to Scotland, golf is not necessarily so tough to book at any of the courses. However, this golf trips needs to be planned with at least 3 months anticipation in order to get the best combination of courses and lodging.
Golf season in Ireland lasts 6 months during spring-summer, but in some places it can be played all year long.

Our recommended options

There is so much great golf to be played that only one alternative will surely not be enough. You can choose one cardinal spot in the country and then play around it… You won’t be disappointed!

IRELAND (Southwest)

5 golf rounds: Tralee, Waterville, Dooks, Ballybunion y Lahinch.

7 nights’ accommodation at Star Malton Hotel en Killarney.

Fly fishers can add some days of fishing at Killarney.

NORTHERN IRELAND (Northeast)

4 nights at The Ramada Hotel en Ballyliffin.

4 rounds of golf: Royal Portrush, Ballyliffin (Old & Glashedy) & Portstewart.

3 nights at Slieve Donard Hotel, adjacent to Royal County Down.

2 rounds of Golf: Ardglass and Royal County Down, course #1 in the UK.