Contact us Email
17th Hole at Tralee Golf Club
Home > Ireland

Custom Golf Vacations to Ireland

Tee up at some of the world’s most scenic and iconic courses

Ireland is a golfer’s paradise, with many of its glorious golf courses rated among the best in the world. A golf tour around Ireland offers unrivaled scenic views of rolling countryside and dramatic coastlines, along with welcoming pubs, friendly people, and toe-tapping traditional music.

Ireland is known as the ‘green of dreams’ and has over 400 golf courses, including 58 of the 247 true links golf courses in the world. Moreover, Ireland plays host to seven of the top 100 golf courses in the world, making it the ideal destination for a golf break.

What make us special

With over 400 golf courses, including 58 of the world’s true links courses, Ireland is a golfer’s paradise. Tee off at rugged coastlines, experience the friendly Irish hospitality, and witness.

Golf Club Icon
58 true links golf courses
Binoculars Icon
World-famous scenery
Castle Icon
Captivating history
Cocktail Icon
Fun-filled hospitality and nightlife
Calendar Icon
Best time to play golf: April to October
Network Icon
Premier Golf team located in Ireland

Ireland Golf Tours

With breathtaking golf clubs and courses across the length and breadth of Ireland, as well as plenty of other things to see and do, an Ireland golf tour is an excellent way to stay and play. Each region in Ireland has a selection of stunning courses to choose from, making it easy for you to choose an area to best suit your needs.

Whether you have specific requirements already, or you’re looking for inspiration, Premier Golf is on hand to help you plan and book a luxury golf vacation to Ireland.

Our Ireland golf trips expertly pair world-class golf with superb accommodation, from prestigious boutique hotels filled with Irish charm to large resorts comprising all the amenities you need for your vacation.

Our Ireland golf packages combine the best golf with incredible accommodation, and our local representatives at our Killarney office can recommend other popular clubs and hidden gems as part of your trip.

Weaving dunes at Lahinch

South West Ireland Golf Tour

7 nights & 6 rounds from $5,945

South west Ireland has a variety of breathtaking courses, with many overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. One must-play course here is Ballybunion. Established in 1893, it is considered one of the finest links courses in the world. There’s also Lahinch, Tralee, Waterville, Doonbeg, and Old Head, all of which could be played on the same trip.

Open Venue Royal Portrush coastline

Northern Ireland Golf Tour

6 nights & 6 rounds from $5,500

Northern Ireland is home to several picturesque Irish golf courses, including Royal Portrush, host of the Open Championship in 2025. On a Northern Ireland tour, you’ll also have the opportunity to play iconic courses at Portstewart, Castlerock, and Ardglass. Perhaps the star of this trip though, is Royal County Down Golf Club. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Mourne Mountains, it’s ranked as one of the top golf courses in the world.

Sandy dunes at St Patricks Links

North West Ireland Golf Tour

6 nights & 5 rounds from $3,968

Several of the best Ireland golf courses lie on the north west coast, including Donegal, Carne, Enniscrone, and Ballyliffin. Each course is unique and beautiful, with our tour offering the opportunity to experience them all. Plus, don’t miss the magnificent golf resort at Rosapenna, now boasting three stunning links courses. The newest, St Patrick’s Links, debuted at No.55 in the latest Golf Digest World Ranking.

Portmarnock Resort

Dublin Golf Tour

6 nights & 6 rounds from $5,064

Dublin may be known for many things away from the fairways, but there are several must-play courses close to the city and on the east of the country. Portmarnock, Jameson Links, Royal Dublin, and European Golf Club are just a few of the courses you can look forward to playing on this tour. Take some time out and enjoy the vibrant culture of the Republic of Ireland’s iconic capital city.

What makes golfing in Ireland special?

Ireland is as welcoming as it is breathtaking. It’s shrouded in history, with myths and legends casting a magical air over every inch of land. Whether you’re on the fairway practicing your swing or enjoying some downtime and taking in the culture, you’re sure to have a unique experience like nowhere else.

Not only can you look forward to breathtaking landscapes and first-class hospitality, but Ireland golf courses also offer some of the best play in the world. Not to mention the luck of the Irish! No matter what your skill level is, you’ll find courses for all abilities and interests. Plus, many clubs are open all year round so you can enjoy them any time you decide to travel.

Ireland golf trips are incredibly special. Although it’s not the birthplace of golf, it’s held in high regard here, with many people still claiming that golf is in the blood of the Irish. The country is steeped in rich golfing history, with play here dating back to the mid-19th century. Ireland has also previously hosted the Solheim Cup, The Open, and the prestigious Ryder Cup in 2006.

The Open Championship 2025 will be held at the prestigious Royal Portrush, which is still the only club outside of mainland Britain to host the exciting tournament.

The Ryder Cup 2027 will also be held at Adare Manor, which won Golf Resort of the Year in the 2022 International Association of Golf Tour Operators Awards. Tournaments aside, Ireland itself has previously won Golf Destination of the Year in these highly-respected awards.

Part of the reason why golfing in Ireland offers a different experience from elsewhere in the world is the close proximity of courses. Many of Ireland’s golf courses are positioned close together, meaning our Ireland golf tours offer plenty of play and minimal travel.

For an optimal experience, booking in the summer months means that the nights draw in later so you can enjoy time on the course up to 9pm most days.

The intricate coastline at Tralee Golf Club

Planning Your Irish Golf Adventure: 9 Must-Play Courses in Ireland

When planning and booking Ireland golf vacations, there are plenty of courses you’ll want to consider. Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, and Ballybunion consistently make the top 20 of most world lists, and rightly so. However, outside of these spectacular, unmissable venues, what other Ireland golf courses are must-plays for your next Irish trip? Read our guide.

More reasons to visit Ireland

Golf in Ireland is exhilarating, challenging, and unique. But there are plenty of other exciting things to see and do on the Emerald Isle either side of tee time.

Ireland has some of the most picturesque natural beauty spots in the world. From the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry on the south west of the island to Achill Island on the west coast and the Mourne Mountains on the east. If you’re taking a scenic road trip through the country, you’ll also find historic castles, lively cities, and rich heritage.

Breathtaking landscapes aside, you simply cannot visit Ireland without sipping a glass of Irish whiskey or drinking a pint of Guinness.

You’ll never experience a better stout than when you are enjoying the warm welcome of a quaint pub while listening to traditional Irish music and sampling local delicacies.

For capital city lovers, Dublin is a city full of life, fun, and excellent experiences. We’ve narrowed down some of the must-do activities in Dublin so you can make the most of your time there. However, there is so much to do in this city that you may need to extend your trip.

Alongside the incredible golf in Ireland, whatever you do and wherever you stay, you’ll make friends and memories to last a lifetime.

Sunset at Adare Manor

Where to play on your Ireland golf trip

“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.”

W.B Yeats

Take an Ireland golf vacation with Premier Golf

Premier Golf has been arranging Ireland golf trips since 1988, so we know a thing or two about planning the perfect vacation here. With a full-time office in the country and close relationships with ground handlers, you can rest assured that you will be well looked after when booking a trip through us.

When you first arrive in Ireland, you can expect to be greeted by a Premier Golf representative. Instead of leaving things to chance and the luck of the Irish, our teams will help you with everything you need to get your Ireland golf tour off to the best start.

Our golf travel specialists take pride in developing specific programs for each trip, ensuring you get the most out of your experience. With direct flights from multiple US cities, and a warm Irish welcome guaranteed, Ireland provides an ideal golfing vacation.

Get in touch with our representatives to create your custom luxury golfing break in Ireland.

Lighthouse sitting on the cliffs at Old Head Golf Links

Ireland Golf Reviews

Thank you for making it happen

Rated 5.0 out of 5
June 21, 2023

We loved ALL the courses. Adding St Patrick’s was really special. So glad Bill Hogan suggested it.

Adare was our least favorite, but everyone agreed it was ideal for the day we got off the plane to practice for the tournament we ran on the final four courses. Everyone’s favorite was Royal County Down (and mine especially because I had 3 birdies including the 18th!).

Drumshanbo was a huge hit. The Shed Distillery tour was fun, and we got a kick out of how everyone in the town knew about our helicopter within an hour. .

Andy

Wonderful Trip & Service

Rated 5.0 out of 5
June 13, 2023

Thank you for all your guidance and help on our tour of Ireland. Allan O’Connor’s service – quick response and dealing with whatever we threw at him with a smile is really what made this trip so great.

Ireland is a beautiful country and I cannot wait to return on another trip with Premier Golf.

Thank you so much again for all you have done to make this dream of ours a reality.

James S

Thank You Premier

Rated 5.0 out of 5
May 10, 2023

Northern Ireland was a blast. We were there with the Davidson group and the hotels Bushmills and Slieve Donard were very nice. Our driver was a true gentlemen and took great care of us. Royal Portrush and Royal County Down were our favorite courses, and Ardglass and Ballyliffin were great surprises. I’m so glad we had a driver because after golf we had some of the local Bushmills product each day in the golf clubhouses. 🙂 Next time we will spend more time in Belfast, there is so much to do there. Our half-day tour was not enough, but overall the trip was superb. Thanks to Bill and Matthew and Allan for all the hard work.

Charlie Dobbs

Better than advertised!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
May 10, 2023

We worked with your company and Bill Hogan set up the trip. When we got to Ireland Allan had everything perfect, and we wish we could have stayed longer. Kinsale was a nice town to start, and Killarney was our base for five nights to play the courses around that area. Loved Ballybunion and Waterville, they are spectacular. Our last round was at Lahinch and that might have been he best course of the bunch. Thank you to the team at Premier for the great time. We’ll be back!

Jon Davidson – French Group May 2023

Inquire now

Please fill out the form and we’ll be in touch.

"*" indicates required fields

MM slash DD slash YYYY
Please enter a number greater than or equal to 4.
Newsletter consent
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Ireland Golf FAQs

It is estimated that there are more than 400 golf courses in Ireland, including both 9 and 18-hole courses. For a country its size, Ireland has a lot of golf courses. Three of Ireland’s most prestigious courses are Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, and Portmarnock.

The oldest golf course in Ireland is The Royal Curragh Golf Club, located in the heathland of the Curragh in County Kildare. There are records of a match being played there as early as 1852. Other old courses in the country include Royal Belfast (1881) & Royal Dublin (1885).

There are four key regions for golf in Ireland, each with its own charms and unique offers:

  • Northern Ireland and the North Coast – Visit the home of some of the most challenging and famous links courses, including Royal County Down, Portstewart, Castlerock, Ballyliffin, and Royal Portrush. 
  • Southwest Ireland – Find the highest concentration of world-ranked courses like Ballybunion, Waterville, Lahinch, Old Head, and Tralee here.
  • Dublin and East Ireland – Get a mixture of sights and golf in the capital, with fantastic links courses such as the European Club, The Island and Portmarnock, and parkland courses including The K Club. 
  • Northwest Ireland – Discover hidden gems and undiscovered courses, including natural and rugged links like Donegal, Enniscrone, Carne, and St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna.

These are just some of the key regions for golf in Ireland, but given the sheer number of golf courses here, you’re sure to find more places to play on your trip.

The best time for an Ireland golf trip is subjective for most people and depends on budget, preferred weather, interests, and availability. Generally, however, the golf travel season in Ireland is from April to October when the weather is favorable, and courses are in peak condition. 

To avoid the crowds, the shoulder months of April and October offer greater value, but you must pack warmly and prepare for wind and rain. We recommend May and September, a month after the season begins and a month before the season ends, respectively, to ensure better weather and fewer crowds.

There are plenty of stay-and-play golf packages available all over Ireland. The best stay-and-play options for you will depend on what type of experience you’re looking for. Factors to consider include availability, weather, preferred courses, and budget.

To offer an expansive and full experience, we have 4 recommended stay-and-play packages in Ireland; Northern Ireland, The South West, Dublin & East Ireland, and The North West. Each golf tour allows you to sample entire regions for a complete and well-rounded experience.

Like many things, the best courses in Ireland will be subjective. However, based on sources that provide rankings of golf courses in Ireland, the courses considered the best by golfing enthusiasts, pros, and architects include Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Rosapenna & Portmarnock.

`

There are several ways to book a golf tour in Ireland, depending on your preferences and budget. 

The easiest option is to book via a travel agency. Ireland golf packages are designed to include almost everything you will need on a golfing trip here. For instance, Premier Golf specializes in luxury golf tours to Ireland, with a team based in Killarney that will take care of everything for you. 

You could also book a trip yourself via online platforms, booking travel and accommodation separately. You’ll need to check tee times and act as a one-person golf tour agency in this case. This option is a little higher risk as certain courses have restrictions and requirements, such as the need for a caddie. 

A final option is to book via a local golf resort or club, where stay-and-play packages include accommodation and golfing among other amenities.

Depending on which option you choose, your experience will vary.

Several major golf tournaments have been played in Ireland over the years. The most prestigious golf tournament to be held here is the Open Championship, which is one of the four major championships in professional golf. The 153rd edition of the Open Championship is scheduled to take place in 2025 at the iconic Royal Portrush Golf Club

In addition, the 2027 Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor, having previously been played at the K Club in 2006.

The cost to play golf in Ireland varies depending on the season, currency, course, package, etc. Generally, playing in the off-season or either side of the peak season costs less. Northern Ireland golf packages can cost more than similar tours in other parts of Ireland, and it’s worth noting that Northern Ireland uses the British Pound and not the Euro.

The courses you choose on your Ireland golf trip will also affect the rates, with the most prestigious resorts commanding higher prices. 

At Premier Golf, we offer 6-night, 6-round packages that start at $3,900 per golfer.