IRELAND

An 18th-century Palladian mansion located on some 1,100 acres of parkland in Kildare, Carton House gives you a taste of how Irish aristocracy used to live. Between all the pampering – from fine dining to spa treatments – there are two golf courses designed by celebrated former pros to get stuck into. The O’Meara was crafted by Open Champion and US Masters Champion Mark O’Meara and features the signature par 4 18th set against the Manor House, reflective lake and charming Boat House, believed to have been custom built for Queen Victoria. Designed by Colin Montgomerie, the Montgomerie offers a challenging inland links experience with mammoth bunkers that’ll give you sweaty palms.

https://www.cartonhouse.com/

The only 36-hole, Arnold Palmer designed destination in Europe, the K Club has been chosen to host the Irish Open in 2023, 2025 and 2027, as well as the Irish Challenge Tour in 2024 and 2026. The golfing experience here is spread across the Palmer North and Palmer South golf courses. Tree-lined greens, water hazards with fountains and rolling fairways make the North Course one of the prettiest places to swing a club in Europe while Palmer South is primarily an inland links course with some dramatic rock features. Over at K Golf World you can have a drink and try out a unique golf simulator that allows you to play the most iconic golf courses around the world.

https://www.kclub.ie/

Town location, in this lively university and historic city; easy walking to the main square and heaps of restaurants, to suit every taste and budget, in the centre of Mons. This particular hotel has been refurbished to a high standard.

Facilities: Buffet breakfast, Bar, brasserie-style restaurant. Parking.

Our View: Larger than average rooms and reasonably quiet, but within easy walking of town centre for evenings out. Approx 7 minutes to main square.

Golf: RGC du Hainaut and Mont Garni are close by, but many others accessible, within 30 minutes or en-route to and from the city.

With it gorgeous green rolling hills, Druids Glen looks like the sort of place a community of hobbits would stay in Lord of the Rings. And, as the name suggests, it’s a magical stretch of land for a round of golf. Designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, Druids Glen with its immaculate fairways, eye-catching water features and historical landmarks opened in 1995 and immediately caused a stir. Just a year after opening it hosted the Irish Open for four years running, with Colin Montgomerie (twice), David Carter and Sergio Garcia all lifting the trophy. Reopening in 2023 after a 12-month restoration project, Druids Glen, which sits between Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea, promises to be more epic than ever before.

https://www.druidsglenresort.com/

Town location, in this lively university and historic city; easy walking to the main square and heaps of restaurants, to suit every taste and budget, in the centre of Mons. This particular hotel has been refurbished to a high standard.

Facilities: Buffet breakfast, Bar, brasserie-style restaurant. Parking.

Our View: Larger than average rooms and reasonably quiet, but within easy walking of town centre for evenings out. Approx 7 minutes to main square.

Golf: RGC du Hainaut and Mont Garni are close by, but many others accessible, within 30 minutes or en-route to and from the city.

Town location, in this lively university and historic city; easy walking to the main square and heaps of restaurants, to suit every taste and budget, in the centre of Mons. This particular hotel has been refurbished to a high standard.

Facilities: Buffet breakfast, Bar, brasserie-style restaurant. Parking.

Our View: Larger than average rooms and reasonably quiet, but within easy walking of town centre for evenings out. Approx 7 minutes to main square.

Golf: RGC du Hainaut and Mont Garni are close by, but many others accessible, within 30 minutes or en-route to and from the city.

Perched on a ridge that overlooks the River Nore, Mount Juliet was built by Somerset Hamilton Butler, first Earl of Carrick, and is named after his wife, Lady Julianna Butler. The estate is not only a homage to a beloved spouse, but a love letter to fine dining, top-class accommodation and, above all, golf. The 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course stretches across 180 acres of undulating Irish countryside and is punctuated by a variety of water hazards, pastures and uneven greens that will test your putting skills to the fullest. Tiger Woods is a fan, calling the Mount Juliet “absolutely gorgeous” with “perfect” fairways and greens that are “absolutely pure”.

https://www.mountjuliet.ie/golf/

There’s a lot to get excited about at Adare Manor – the impressive Neo-Gothic manor hotel, the 840-acre estate that surrounds it, the Michelin star restaurant. The Golf Course at Adare Manor beats all of them, though. Counted among the best championship courses in the world, Adare Manor has been laid out in harmony with the surrounding countryside, with the truly beautiful 18 holes cut in half by the River Maigue. Adding to the classy surroundings is The Carriage House, the luxurious club house with a top-notch eatery, a bar with a great wine list and craft beer, a terrace with views of the greens and a Cigar Lounge for a celebratory puff after your round.

https://www.adaremanor.com/golf/

Laid out along the crescent shaped Doughmore Beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Trump International, Doonbeg adds the sound of crashing waves to your round of golf. You’ll get a good view of the Atlantic from 16 of the 18 holes at the County Clare course, which consist of a single loop of nine holes out and nine holes back and has been laid out with an eco-friendly ‘least disturbance’ approach through the sand dunes. The biggest challenge golfers face here is the wind, with changes in severity and direction making every round a challenge. Once you’ve battled the elements, enjoy the club’s five-star accommodation with incredible vistas of the Irish countryside.

https://www.trumphotels.com

Breathtaking views of Lough Leane and Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland, welcome players at Killarney, one of the county’s most prestigious golf clubs inside the Killarney National Park. Of the two 18-hole golf courses here, Killeen is regarded as the better one to play – its lofty status underlined by the fact that it’s hosted the Irish Open four times. The course underwent a revamp in 2006, with new greens, tees and bunkers installed and extra length added to the par fives. While Killeen and its sister course Mahony’s Point are located in a mountainous region, the terrain at Killarney is as flat as a pancake, with Lough Leane acting as a water hazard and tree-lined fairways adding to what is a showstopper of a golf club.

https://killarneygolfclub.ie

Former Ryder Cup and World Cup golfer Christy O’Connor Jr has done a wonderful job designing the 18-hole course at the Galway Bay resort in the coastal town of Oranmore. Blending ocean views and the rugged backdrop of the Atlantic coastline with tree-lined fairways, water hazards, hidden bunkers and world class putting surfaces, the championship course plays differently everyday thanks to swirling winds, making Galway Bay a true test for any golfer. The club has also invested in sprucing up its restaurant, the 2 Iron Bar & Restaurant – named in honour of O’ Connor Jr.’s historic shot which helped Europe retain the 1989 Ryder Cup at The Belfry.

https://galwaybaygolfresort.ie/

This popular five-star boutique hotel in Dublin offers 72 bedrooms in a stunning Victorian building with a location that’s quiet but not too far from the action – the Grand Canal, Aviva Stadium and National Museum of Dublin are all within a 15-minute walk away. Celebrating the best of Ireland – from original artwork to mini bars stocked with Butlers Chocolates and Ritchies Milky Mints – the recently renovated Dylan mixes the original design flourishes of Victorian architect Albert Edward Murray with lush, modern interiors. The three eating options – The Eddison Restaurant, Dylan Bar and Nurserie Terrace (hinting at the nurses who once lived here) – are every bit as stylish as the rooms, serving up dishes that are almost too pretty to eat.

https://www.dylan.ie/

Padraig Harrington said it best when he described Seapoint Golf Links as not having “a single weak hole”. Add the golf club’s mesmerising setting overlooking the Mourne mountains and the Irish Sea and you are dealing a truly memorable golf course. Relatively young in golf club terms – the first ball was struck here in earnest in 1993 – Seapoint has matured quickly and, with its fescue greens and rapid fairways, is now regarded as one of the best links courses in Ireland. The cosy clubhouse feels like a warm embrace after time out on the course with its roaring fire, a newly renovated bar and restaurant and panoramic views of the 18th hole.

https://seapointgolflinks.com/

This four-star favourite on the banks of the River Foyle is the perfect perch from where to play some of the best golf courses in Ireland with the likes of Ballyliffin, Portrush and Portstewart all within an hour’s drive away. When you’re not ticking off courses on your must-play list there are some compelling tourist sights to explore from the 158-room City Hotel, including the historic Derry Walls, which is within a five-minute walk away. You can also dine in style at the Thompson’s Restaurant and Coppin’s Bar, which overlooks the River Foyle and Guildhall, or take a dip in the hotel’s 15m swimming pool or jacuzzi.

https://www.cityhotelderry.com/

A short distance from the Royal Portrush Golf Club, host of The Open in 2025, the Portrush Atlantic Hotel is in the ideal spot for a golfing excursion. Its proximity to a famous course is just part of its appeal, though. Located on Northern Ireland’s jaw-dropping Atlantic Ocean coastline, the hotel is right on the doorstep of a vibrant nightlife, excellent restaurants and sights that range from the ancient (the remains of Dunluce Castle) to the fantastical (Game of Thrones film locations). The broad range of dishes at the hotel include favourites like fish and chips, extensive gluten free options and a kids’ menu.

https://www.portrushatlantic.com/

Tranquillity itself, but close enough to Cork City if you want to cut loose, the Kinsale Hotel and Spa offers guests the best of both world during their getaway. Located in some 90 acres of wooded parkland with wonderful views over Oysterhaven Bay, the hotel is a short drive from the historic harbour town of Kinsale and – ramblers take note – sits on the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s first long-distance touring route, stretching 2,500km along the Atlantic Coast from Donegal to West Cork. After a long trek, treat yourself at the Rockpool Restaurant with its panoramic vistas or at the hotel’s brilliant spa. 

https://www.kinsalehotelandspa.ie/

Whether it’s a spa suite, log cabin, shepherd’s hut or tree house, accommodation at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort is a whole lot of fun. The same goes for its golf courses. Designed by Simon Gidman and opened in 1997, The Castle Championship Course is one of Ireland’s finest parkland courses in the heart of the sprawling Galgorm Castle Estate. The fact that the course is bordered by the river Maine and Braid, which doubles as water hazards on numerous holes, and there are several lakes next to the 14th, means there’s a laid-back vibe here that makes Galgorm an absolute joy to play. As is the 6-hole Pitch & Putt next to the Championship Course which has a ‘Himalayas’ putting green.

https://www.galgorm.com/

For sheer beauty, few courses in Ireland can hold a candle to Royal County Down, which dates back to 1889. Located in the staggeringly gorgeous Murlough Nature Reserve, it has as its backdrop the magnificent Mountains of Mourne and is laid out along the shores of Dundrum Bay, snaking back and forth to provide a different view from most holes. The vistas are almost as impressive from the clubhouse with the Murlough Room offering views of the 18th green, the 10th tee and the Mountains of Mourne. A scrumptious menu includes both light snacks and more substantial meals, which are all freshly prepared and available throughout the day.

https://www.royalcountydown.org/

Pick a view. Any view. At Royal Portrush – located in the beautiful Causeway Coast & Glens area – there are three fantastic vistas to choose from atop the triangle of huge sandhills that surround the club. The hills of Donegal lies to the west, the Isle of Islay and Southern Hebrides is towards the north, while the Giant’s Causeway and the Skerries can be spotted to the east. Standing guard over club are the ruins of the 13th-century Dunluce Castle which lends its name to the club’s infamous Dunluce Links (to go with the lovely Valley Links), one of the toughest golf courses in the world. Small wonder, then, that Royal Portrush has been confirmed as the venue for The Open in 2025.

https://www.royalportrushgolfclub.com/

Clinging to a headland stretching over 3km into the Atlantic Ocean, the mind-boggling Old Head Golf Links is one of the most unique and spectacular courses in the world. To play here is to step back in time 6,000 years to when the first settlers came to Ireland, with the remnants of these Iron Age pioneers still visible on the Old Head of Kinsdale. A true gem of Irish (and world) golf, the Old Head Golf Links occupies a 220-acre diamond-shaped piece of of land with waves rumbling 90m below your feet. Thrillingly, nine of the holes here are along the cliff tops with all 18 holes offerings unrivalled ocean views. Things simply don’t get more bucket list than this.

https://www.oldhead.com/

Famous for its towering dunes that look out over Liscannor Bay on the west coast of Ireland in County Clare, the Championship Course at Lahinch Golf Club – rated amongst the very best in Ireland – is the product of a number of top designers. The work started by Old Tom Morris in 1892 was continued by Alister MacKenzie in 1926 before current course architect, Martin Hawtree, returned the course to its natural beauty. Today, the Championship Course at Lahinch offers a tough (especially with the fast-changing Atlantic weather) but enjoyable challenge and is bordered by the Castle Course, a links with superb greens and an interesting layout.

https://lahinchgolf.com/

If the big names who’ve walked down your fairways are a measure of a course’s success, then Portmarnock Golf Club is up there with the very best. Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods are just some of the legends to have tackled the tough, exposed course that sits on a swathe of shallow duneland about 16km from Dublin. The clubhouse at Portmarnock, which has stood here since 1896 and has undergone renovations over the years, has a rich history of its own and offers fine views of the links from the the Bradshaw Room and the Dining Room.

https://www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie/