Insider Golf Guides #4 Ireland
Golf Traveller has many years of experience in delivering Ireland itineraries that combine the finest golf and immerse clients in the best the country has to offer. This is our guide to the Emerald Isle.
Why go? Boasting forty shades of green throughout its rolling hills and vales, Ireland’s lush landscapes have, and always will, be the main attraction of this small but memorable island. The views are as stunning as people say they are, whether its 700-foot cliffs towering over the sea or tranquil verdant expanses, and there is so much more to discover. The cuisine in Ireland is varied but, with the cold clear waters of the Atlantic rarely more than an hour’s drive away, seafood takes centre stage, where meaty lobsters and pristine oysters are always locally caught and always served fresh. And if that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, then world-class golf courses are abundant in this home of natural links golf.
When to go? To see Ireland at its absolute best, the months of June, July and August are when the weather is at its warmest and sunniest. However, if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, visiting in the shoulder seasons in mid-spring or later summer can be just as pleasant if you get lucky with sunshine. And regardless, whatever the weather, Ireland retains its natural beauty.
Why golf in Ireland? The links golf in Ireland is out of this world. Start at Old Head, south of Kinsale, and you’ll be playing almost in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by the Atlantic on a headline stretching two miles. Then, head west to Waterville, tee off between a stunning lake and the big blue, before Arnold Palmer’s first European course, Tralee and Ireland’s No.1 Ballybunion. Next is the future Ryder Cup host Adare Manor for some of the best manicured golf you’ll ever play, before a spectacular finale at Lahinch, right next to Liscannor Bay, which has been touched by the golf architect genius of not only Old Tom Morris, but Alister McKenzie too. Home to this collection of iconic courses in the most hospitable country in the world, it’s no surprise Ireland was voted as the best golf destination in western Europe in 2024 by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.
Where do you stay? The Irish are famous for their hospitality, and that spirit is tangible the moment you step across the threshold at Adare Manor. On the banks of the River Maigue, the 17th-century manor house is the former seat of the Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl, and has been sumptuously restored to a hotel brimming with gothic splendour, and perfectly appointed in every detail.
Two hours to the south west, Killarney Park is just as effortlessly sophisticated, its elegant Georgian architecture perhaps the best kept five-star secret in all of Ireland. Old world charm is interspersed with modern day luxury, where you can relax in front of an open log fire, enjoy a game of snooker, or simply chill out in the Garden Bar.
What activities can you do? There’s plenty of adventure to explore in Ireland, but there’s nowhere better to start than its natural attractions along the Atlantic coast, namely the dramatic Cliffs of Moher in rugged west Clare. Stretching for 14 kilometres, the striated limestone cliffs are the product of a centuries-long battle with the ocean waves and winds, forming one of Ireland's most unmanicured yet captivating sights. If this is up your alley, a drive around the scene-stealing Ring of Kerry is a must, and for a different view, take to the skies and enjoy the views of Old Head by helicopter. Elsewhere you can tour one of Ireland’s many whiskey distilleries, enjoy an artisan four tour in Killarney or, as is customary when in Ireland, simply enjoy a Guinness at the local.
What’s the ideal length of stay? For a chance to play the very best courses in Ireland, take in all its captivating landscapes and sample the seafood, a stay of at least ten days is advisable.