12 Reasons to Play Golf in Ireland

By: Andy Waple | Wed 26 Oct 2022

Fancy a trip overseas without having to travel too far? Ireland is the perfect choice, with more than 400 courses ranging from the world’s greatest links to friendly member clubs where the green fee is little more than a round of Guinness. When you visit the Republic of Ireland you can be rest assured you will find no warmer welcome.

Ireland offers a huge range of alternatives for a fantastic golf trip with a good number of options where you can set up base and explore different courses all within easy reach.

And with its reasonably small size and excellent highway network, it works extremely well for a road trip - and you can even take your own car.

There are plenty of options - so many, that once bitten by the bug you will want to return again and again to explore a different region.

Some of the main clusters appear along the coastline, including those around Dublin, Donegal, Cork, Limerick, Kerry and Sligo to name a few. But don’t forget there are some fabulous inland courses away from the crowds where more often than not you will find the best value.

12 Reasons to Play Golf in Ireland

Ireland Golf

1 - Some of the world’s greatest links courses such as Waterville, The European Club, Rosapenna and Enniscrone to name a few are here to be enjoyed.

2 - It’s the home of “proper golf” where walking the course is the norm.

3 - Short flights from the UK are readily available all year round.

4 - You can take your car, giving boot space for trollies and plenty of waterproofs! Regular sailings via Irish Ferries and Stena Line cross the Irish Sea from Holyhead, Pembroke and Fishguard in Wales, Cairnryan in Scotland and Liverpool providing a perfect leisurely way to start your trip.

5 - Having your own car makes a road trip like the one enjoyed by Golfshake Ambassador Andrew Picken to the Ancient South East a perfect option and there are many routes to choose from.

6 - Five hour rounds are very unlikely. In some places you will have the course virtually to yourself.

7 - Course conditions are generally high and due to mild winters, grass growth is often well ahead of that encountered in the UK.

8 - Green fees are inexpensive except at the very top bucket list courses and plush resorts.

9 - The welcome from the locals is legendary and you can almost understand everything they say!

10 - Nightlife is fantastic wherever you are particularly in the pubs where there is often live music throughout the week.

11 - The gentle pace of life in Ireland makes for ideal preparation for a stress free round of golf particularly after an excellent Full Irish Breakfast.

12 - Dining out throughout Ireland is a real treat, the quality is high and the choice enviable in pubs as well as the many restaurants. Seafood lovers will have a field day.

With so many options for a golf holiday to Ireland it can be difficult to know where to start organising a trip. Our travel partner Golfbreaks has some great options so visit its website for inspiration. Head to the website of Tourism Ireland for further ideas.