The 7 Best Golf Courses Near Dublin

Dublin, Ireland, is an exceptional destination for golfers seeking a combination of championship golf, rich history, and vibrant city life. The best golf courses near Dublin offer a remarkable variety of playing experiences, from traditional links north of the city to distinguished parkland courses, providing a different perspective on Ireland’s golfing landscape.

The Dublin Golf Coast, often considered one of the world’s most beautiful golfing regions, is home to some of Ireland’s most historic links courses. With its concentration of celebrated layouts and convenient access to the capital, it is an ideal base for a golf-focused getaway. While Irish weather can be unpredictable, the generally moderate climate allows for golf throughout much of the year, with each season offering its own appeal. With the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor on the horizon, demand for Irish golf experiences is expected to be high. Fall tee times and accommodations can book up well in advance, so we recommend planning early to secure your preferred courses and hotels.

Beyond the fairways, Dublin’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere make it easy to pair a round of golf with memorable cultural experiences. Explore the Guinness Factory, visit the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, or experience the city’s renowned pub scene. For golfers looking to blend championship golf with exceptional dining, sightseeing, and nightlife, Dublin offers the best of both worlds. Below, we highlight seven of the best golf courses near Dublin to consider for your next Irish golf itinerary.

Course Comparison

Course	Area	Drive from city center	Type	Architect	Open	Visitor Access
Portmarnock	Portmarnock	20 minutes	Links	William Pickeman	1894	Limited access
The Island	Estuary of Donabate	30 minutes	Links	Fred and Martin Hawtree	1890	Available during select season
Jameson Golf Links	Portmarnock	20 minutes	Links	Pat Ruddy	1993	All-access
Brittas Bay	County Wicklow	1 hour	Links	Pat Ruddy	1992	Private member’s club
Royal Dublin	Bull Island	15 minutes	Links	Harry Colt	1885	Limited access
Luttrellstown Castle	Castleknock	25 minutes	Parkland	Tom MacKenzie	1993	All-access
Castle Golf Club	Rathfarnham	30 minutes	Parkland	Harry Colt	1913	Private member’s club

What are the best golf courses near Dublin?

Among the best golf courses near Dublin are Portmarnock Golf Club, The Island, and Jameson Golf Links, each offering a distinctive take on links golf. In this guide, we explore these three standout venues alongside four additional courses worth considering for your next Irish golf itinerary. Our selection considers key factors, including course conditioning, international prestige, and accessibility for visiting golfers.

1. Portmarnock Golf Club

Portmarnock’s Championship Course is consistently ranked among the best in Ireland and the world, renowned for its strategic design, demanding holes, and enduring links character. A celebrated venue on the Irish golf calendar, Portmarnock has hosted the Irish Open on multiple occasions, welcoming some of the game’s finest players. Located approximately 20 minutes from Dublin city center, it is an exceptional addition to any golf itinerary.

The layout remains true to its traditional links roots while offering a compelling test for golfers of all abilities. One of the club’s distinctive features is its additional nine-hole layout, giving golfers the opportunity to extend their experience and enjoy more of the coastal scenery. For visiting golfers, tee times are generally available from April through September on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, making advance planning essential.

“The course is phenomenal, with some of the best conditioning in the country and a true test of traditional Irish links golf,” says our Dublin Golf Expert Connor Vogel. “It’s certainly not an easy round, but that’s what makes it so special. There have even been rumors of it one day hosting The Open Championship, which would be a historic first outside the UK. For me, it’s an absolute must-play, not just for anyone visiting Dublin, but for anyone planning a golf trip to Ireland.”

Opened: 1894
Par: 72
Length: 7,466 yards
Designers Include: William Pickeman, George Ross
Difficulty: Slope 110 / Rating  70.0

2. The Island

The Island is renowned for its classic links character, with narrow fairways, challenging holes, and unpredictable coastal conditions. Located approximately 30 minutes from Dublin city center, just north of Portmarnock, it pairs naturally with its celebrated neighbor for a day of championship golf. Visitor tee times are available during the official visitor season, from April through October.

The front nine is particularly striking, with dramatic views and rugged natural features, while the back nine offers a varied test that maintains the course’s distinctive character. One of the highlights is the signature sixth hole, a par-three played over a deep ravine to a perched green, creating a combination of challenge and scenery.

Opened: 1890
Par: 71
Length: 7,024 yards
Designers Include: Fred Hawtree (1973), Martin Hawtree
Difficulty: Slope 132 / Rating 75.1

3. Jameson Golf Links

Designed by Bernhard Langer and Stan Eby of European Golf Design, Jameson Golf Links first opened in 1995 as “The Links” before undergoing extensive renovations and adopting its current name in 2023, reflecting its setting on the historic Jameson Estate. Located close to the airport, it is one of the most accessible options for visiting golfers, with stay-and-play packages offering added convenience.

The opening eight holes cover rolling terrain defined by strategically placed pot bunkers. As the round progresses, a collection of dramatic dunes introduces a striking change in scenery, bringing greater variety to the landscape and a links-style challenge.

Opened: 1993
Par: 71
Length: 7,186 yards
Designers Include: Pat Ruddy
Difficulty: Slope 133 / Rating 75.8

4. Brittas Bay Club (formerly The European Club)

Located in County Wicklow, approximately an hour south of Dublin, Brittas Bay Club is an acclaimed destination with a new chapter underway. Originally designed by Pat Ruddy and opened in 1993, the property was purchased by the Conlan family in 2025 and renamed Brittas Bay Club. The course closed at the end of 2025 for a comprehensive redesign by renowned architect Kyle Phillips, whose work includes Kingsbarns, with a reopening anticipated in early 2027.

The redevelopment will introduce an 18-hole layout in place of the original 20 holes, transition the course from a par 72 to a par 71, and incorporate new tees, greens, and enhanced sea views. Following its reopening, the club plans to welcome visiting golfers. For travelers planning an Irish golf itinerary for 2027 and beyond, Brittas Bay Club is one to keep on the radar.

Opened: 1992, reopening in 2027
Par: 71
Length: 7,377 yards
Designers Include: Pat Ruddy

5. The Royal Dublin Golf Club

Founded in 1885, Royal Dublin Golf Club is the perfect starting point for any Dublin golf tour, located just three miles from the city center and 20 minutes from the airport. 

This prestigious 18-hole, par-71 links course, designed by Harry Colt in 1920 and modified by Martin Hawtree in 2006, offers a traditional challenge with firm fairways, fast greens, and coastal winds. Set on Bull Island in Dublin Bay, it combines natural beauty with strategic difficulty, making it an ideal introduction to Irish links golf. 

Opened: 1885
Par: 72
Length: 7,269 yards
Designers Include: Harry Colt
Difficulty: Slope 138 / Rating 76.1

6. Luttrellstown Castle

Set within the Luttrellstown Estate with the 15th-century castle at its center, the Luttrellstown Castle course is nothing short of bliss and beauty. The course is fairly open, with bunkers placed strategically and rough that remains forgiving, never too punishing.

The 18-hole championship course has undergone renovations to elevate its playing conditions, including the introduction of USGA-standard greens. As the most forgiving layout in this guide, Luttrellstown Castle provides an enjoyable yet engaging challenge for golfers of varying abilities.

Opened: 1993
Par: 72
Length: 7,347 yards
Designers Include: Tom MacKenzie, Donald Steel
Difficulty: Slope 113 / Rating 70.0

7. Castle Golf Club

Founded in 1859, The Castle Golf Club is located in Dundrum, Dublin, and offers a classic parkland course set against the scenic backdrop of the Dublin Mountains. One of the most convenient options within the city, it is an excellent choice for an arrival or departure day, allowing golfers to enjoy a round without venturing far from the city center. The course features two loops of nine holes, with a layout that rewards accuracy and thoughtful course management.

The round concludes with a demanding stretch of holes, beginning with two long par-5s (the 529-yard 16th and 500-yard 17th), before a challenging 411-yard par-4 18th.

Opened: 1913
Par: 72
Length: 6,453 yards
Designers Include: Harry Colt
Difficulty: Slope 110 / Rating 70.0

What other golf courses are near Dublin?

Beyond the seven courses closest to Dublin’s city center, several exceptional golf experiences are within easy driving distance. The K Club, a five-star luxury golf resort, has hosted both the 2006 Ryder Cup and the 2025 Irish Open. Further north, County Louth Golf Club, known locally as Baltray, hosted the 2009 Irish Open and is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s most authentic links experiences. Closer to Dublin, Druids Glen and Carton House offer distinguished championship layouts, combining world-class golf with beautiful surroundings and convenient access to the city.

Which Dublin golf courses are links and which are parkland?

Dublin’s golf offering spans both links and parkland courses. Portmarnock, The Island, Jameson Golf Links, The European Club, and Royal Dublin showcase the traditional character of Irish links golf, while Luttrellstown Castle and Castle Golf Club offer a contrasting experience on parkland layouts. For a well-rounded Irish golf itinerary, we recommend combining both styles, planning rounds on parkland courses on particularly windy days.

How much does it cost to play golf in Dublin?

Costs to play golf in and around Dublin typically range from approximately €60 to €500, depending on the course and time of year. This range makes it possible to create a well-balanced golf itinerary that combines more accessible rounds with bucket-list experiences at prestigious venues such as Portmarnock. By mixing courses across different price points, you can enjoy the best of Dublin’s golfing landscape while tailoring your trip to your budget and priorities.

How many days do you need for a Dublin golf trip?

Our Dublin expert, Connor Vogel, recommends 5 to 6 days to experience an ideal Dublin golf journey. With many courses to play and things to see, an elongated itinerary gives you plenty of time on the course as well as time to spend sightseeing. From common tourist spots like the Guinness Factory and St Patrick’s Cathedral to taking a ferry out to Howth for cliff-walking, there’s plenty to see and do off the course.

4-Day Dublin Links

If you’re looking for a golf-centered itinerary, we recommend 4 traditional links rounds: Royal Dublin, Portmarnock, The Island, and The European Club. This creates a proper Irish golf experience for the dedicated player and showcases the best of the capital’s course offerings.

Extending your trip

For those looking to complete a comprehensive Ireland golf trip, there are plenty of options for extension. Whether you travel north to Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, or to the northwest for modern masterpieces like Rosapenna, you can experience all varieties of the natural beauty and diversity of Irish links golf. In 2027, travel to the Southwest for the iconic Ryder Cup, set to be hosted at Adare Manor.

Where should you stay for golf near Dublin?

Where you choose to stay will shape your Dublin golf experience. A city-center hotel places you within easy reach of the capital’s dining scene, nightlife, and cultural attractions, making it ideal for those who want to balance golf with time exploring the city. For a more golf-focused escape, Portmarnock Resort offers a luxurious retreat with convenient access to Jameson Golf Links, Portmarnock Golf Club, and The Island. With less time spent in transit, you can enjoy a seamless itinerary that balances memorable rounds with time to unwind.

When is the best time to play golf in Dublin?

The ideal time for a golf trip to Dublin is April through October, with May to September offering the most popular conditions for golf travel. The summer months are particularly appealing, bringing extended daylight hours that allow for leisurely rounds and more time to explore. While the weather remains changeable throughout the season, summer can also offer more favorable conditions for links golf, where strong coastal winds can add a significant challenge to even the most accomplished golfers.

Start Planning Your Dublin Golf Trip

For more than 30 years, Premier Golf has specialized in bespoke golf itineraries throughout Ireland, combining access to sought-after tee times with exceptional accommodations and personalized service. From arranging private transportation, caddies, and dining reservations to providing on-site support throughout your journey, our team takes care of every detail. The result is a seamless, thoughtfully curated golf holiday that allows you to focus on enjoying the golf and destination.

FAQs