Irish Golf Trip | Golf Tours in Dublin
The east of Ireland needs to be on your private Irish golf tour list. Golf Clubs around the Dublin area have been praised as some of the most beautiful and well designed courses in the world. Here is a choice of some of the most prestigious clubs Leinster has to offer.
portmarnock | golf tours Ireland
Portmarnock Golf Club can be found along a stretch of coastline on the Howth Peninsula 10 miles from Dublin city. When it opened, in 1894, it was only accessible by boat due to the fact that it is completely surrounded by water. In its’ current form, that was designed by legendary-pro Bernhard Langer, Portmarnock has hosted more major championships than any other club in Ireland such as: the British Amateur, the Walker Cup and Canada Cup. Arnold Palmer quoted as calling Portmarnock’s 15th hole, “the finest par-3 in the world.” The changeable winds that come off the Atlantic add even more of a challenge. Portmarnock is one of the most exquisite golf courses in Ireland. The relatively flat green makes for a very fast play, each hole has its own little quirks and interesting features, starting off with the first hole. If you look just a short distance away you will come across an ancient graveyard. It is highly regarded as a classic, world-wide and a memorable, challenging golf links and should be on your deluxe golf vacation package.
The Island golf course | golf vacations Ireland
Founded in 1890, The Island Golf Club has always been rated among the best courses in Ireland. In 2016, it was ranked 13th in Golf Digest: Ireland’s top 100. Located near the village of Malahide in County Dublin, the links is home to some of the most stunning dunes on the Irish east coast. As its’ name implies the course is an actual island surrounded by the Broadmeadow Estuary, the Irish Sea and Donabate Beach. Until 1973, it was only accessible by boat but our private driver will take you directly to the Islands Club-house with no fuss. Since its opening, the Island strived to protect its’ natural surroundings and heritage. In recent years, Martin Hawtree has made some course design changes, so no two holes are alike. Although, carefully-maintaining its true nature and character. As a result, the Island proudly claims to be one of the most stunning, natural courses in Ireland with beauty that never fails to impress. Arguably the course’s favourite hole is the 13th, golfers (who are not feeling confident) can choose the safe option and take the short green to the left, but those who like to take the risk can take on the beach and hope for the best.
Kileen Castle
Many people and professionals alike consider Kileen Castle Golf Course to be in the top ranked clubs worldwide. It was designed by a legend in golf, who has won 18 major championships, Jack Nicklaus. Once it was complete Nicklaus described Killeen Castle as “truly one of our finest ever creations.” In honour of its creator a bronze statue was erected on the castle grounds. Kileen covers over 350 acres of natural woodlands, Nicklaus created a course that would be a challenge but still remain playable and enjoyable for the average golfer. For a warm up (before you tackle the course) you can practise those big hits at the long game facility. On the other hand, if your short game is lacking, then take your time on the putting greens in front of the Clubhouse.
The European Club | Irish Golf Trips
The European Club was designed and owned by Pat Ruddy; wishing to create a challenging and aesthetic pleasing championship links course, with every hole having an incredible ocean view. As a modern course over 7,000 yards in size from the back tees, it is one of the countrys’ larger layouts. The dramatic, tumbling sand dunes that overlook the Irish Sea characterise the course with a suspicious lack of blind spots (you could easily be fooled that this is an easy play) but, after the first few holes, you soon realise this pitch-and-run course hides deep pot bunkers and how easy it is to slice your ball onto the beach. To prepare for the British Open, Padraig Harrington spent a lot of time here and went on to win twice. Recalling “There is no question that there were shots at The Open that I was better at because I had played links golf at The European Club the week before”. About the European Tiger Woods is quoted “What wonderful optical illusions. I thought some of those par 4’s were par 5’s. A great links”
K Club | private golf tours of Ireland
The world famous K club, with it’s two beautiful golf courses, designed by the one and only Arnold Palmer. It was the venue for the Ryder Cup back in 2006, which was the first time the event had been staged in Ireland. Another highlight has been when the Palmer Course hosted the Irish Open in 2016. That was won by the Irish superstar Rory McIlroy. The Golf Club wanted the design of the course to be something special and unique. They chose a person who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf, Arnold Palmer, who used his experience to turn the K club into one of the greatest international courses selected to host the Ryder Cup. When the course was completed Palmer said “I feel that I have guaranteed that the player will get enjoyment from his efforts and that is the design concept that myself and Michael Smurfit set out to provide”
Louth Golf Club | Private Golf Tours of Ireland
Affectionately known, Baltray County, Louth’s Golf Club sits on natural sand dunes firmly placed between the Boyne river, to the south and the Irish Sea, to the east. The natural landscape was ideal for a links layout. The gentle, rolling landscape was so perfect that designer, Tom Simpson, placed only 50 bunkers on the course, nature did most of the work. The bunkers may be few in number but they are strategically placed to test any golfers accuracy. This course is straight-forward with very few blind spots or surprises, it’s that actual layout that is so demanding. Tom Simpson designed the course so that no two holes run in the same direction, making the unpredictable wind that comes from the coast a deceptive factor. It is undoubtedly one of the countrys’ finest links courses. With a great view you can see the shot and take a long carry on to the fairway. Baltray is ranked in the the top twenty five courses in the British Isles and in the top six in Ireland itself.
Royal Dublin Golf Club | Irish Golf Tours
Founded in 1885, The Royal Dublin Golf Club is Ireland’s second oldest Golf Club. It was originally designed by Harry Colt and was extended and overseen by golf architect Martin Hawtree.
The Royal, is one of those unique clubs that sits entirely on an island, Bull island, and can be accessed by an old wooden bridge (if you want the old time feel) or via the modern causeway. The island was created in the 19th century, as a result of the sea wall, which was constructed to provide shipping with a safe, straight and deep approach into Dublin city. The Royal Dublin is one of the most exciting golfing courses Ireland has to offer and notably, has hosted seven Irish Opens. This links has it all; mature trees surrounding the fringes, natural sandy bunkers and an incredible beach.
We can help you plan any part of your luxury vacation in Ireland and if you have any questions please do contact us and we’d be happy to help. If you are interested in an Irish Vacation Package and would like more information, please click on the Enquire button below. All the best, Mike Ryan.
Previous post 
