Top Greens to Play on Your Golf Vacations to Ireland

While Scotland may hold the claim to fame of being the birthplace of golf, Ireland runs a close second. For most golfers, a trip to Ireland is akin to a holy pilgrimage. You could spend months traveling through the Emerald Isle and hitting some of the most famous links in history. If you’re booking golf trips to Ireland this summer, make sure that you manage to book tee times for at least one of these Ireland golf greens.

Kilkenny Golf Club

Founded in 1896, the Kilkenny Golf Club is a mature parkland course set in the middle of Ireland. It’s a challenging course with narrow, tree-lined fairways that require a delicate touch and a high degree of accuracy. Other nearby greens include Mount Juliet (11 miles), Carlow (24 miles), Mount Wolseley (34 miles), Tramore (38 miles) and Wexford (48 miles).

Donfagahy Golf Club

Donfagahy isn’t the most difficult green on the Emerald Isle, but it may be one of the most beautiful. Located on the northern coast, the 105-year-old course was laid out by 5 time British Open winner Harry Vardon. The scenery is breathtaking and the course offers enough challenge for all but the most expert golfers.

Portsalon Golf Club

In County Donegal, not far from Donfagahy, you’ll find one of Ireland’s best kept golfing secret—a true find that should be included on any Ireland golf vacation. Originally designed in 1891 and redesigned in 2001, the challenging 7,120 yard course offers some of the most stunning scenery of any golf course in the land of Eire. The gorgeous vistas include three views of Ballymastocker Bay, with many of the holes played through the dunes alongside the Atlantic Ocean.

Old Head Golf Links

At the other end of the Isle, and the other end of time, Old Head may be one of the most challenging links in the world. Set on a diamond-shaped peninsula that juts out into the ocean, you’ll be playing most of the course into the brisk Atlantic wind. Established in 1997, the Old Head Links at Kinsale present stunning vistas along ocean cliffs that make the trip worthwhile.

Mullingar Golf Club

No Ireland golf trip would be complete without playing the 18 holes at the Mullingar Golf Club. Designed in 1894 by Scottish golf legend James Braid, the mature parkland course is generally acknowledged to be one of Ireland’s best parkland courses.