Ireland's Top 30 Links in 5 Years

Bucket lists and rankings – I hate them!

And yet, here I am, writing a post about 30 of Ireland’s best links courses. Why? Because over the years, I’ve lost count of how many enquiries we’ve received that include this exact same “bucket list” line up:

Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, Portmarnock, Lahinch, Ballybunion… and just for fun, let’s throw in Old Head at the other end of the country.

Not a Golf Vacation!

That’s a 900-mile, 18-hour journey requiring six different accommodations—what I’d call a logistical monster, not a golf holiday.

So here’s a better idea.

You can play the 30 (or more) best links courses in Ireland. But do it over five trips, each focused on a different region. You’ll have a better time, play better golf, and actually enjoy Ireland while you’re at it.

The 30 (or more) best Irish links can be played on 5 separate trips – here is how.

Year 1 – The Southwest

Arguably Ireland’s most famous golf region, the Southwest has the perfect balance of prestige and raw beauty.

Ballybunion Old – The legend. Revered by Watson, feared by slicers.
Ballybunion Cashen – Wild, dramatic, underrated—and right next door.
Tralee – Arnold Palmer’s masterpiece, with a back nine to rival any in the world.
Waterville – A soul-stirring mix of dunes and seaside serenity.
Dooks – Quirky, historic, charming. A perfect foil to its more dramatic neighbours.

Old Head – Not technically a links, but spectacular beyond belief—and worth a visit for the setting alone.

📍Start in Ballybunion and end in Kinsale via Waterville. Treat this as the “classic” Ireland golf trip—with stunning drives but minimal backtracking. Come back in year 6 to stay in Killarney!

📍Adding Lahinch and Doonbeg is a popular choice — another accommodation stop in County Clare is required. Lahinch and Doonbeg can wait until the year of the west coast swing.

Year 2 – The North

A pilgrimage for serious golfers—featuring two of the world’s top-ranked courses.

Royal County Down – Tough, stunning, and endlessly strategic.

Royal Portrush (Dunluce) – Host of The Open and a pure shot-maker’s test.
Ballyliffin Old & Glashedy – A perfect contrast: traditional links versus modern championship layout.
Portstewart (Strand) – A front nine that might be the most scenic in Ireland.
Castlerock – Solid, natural, and pleasantly unpretentious.
Ardglass – Wild coastal holes, quirky charm, and a medieval clubhouse that’s as memorable as the golf.

📍Start in Ballyliffin on the Inishowen Peninsula, end in Newcastle, County Down via Portrush/Portstewart/Bushmills.

Year 3 – The East

Close to Dublin, but don’t let the convenience fool you—these are serious links.

Portmarnock (Old) – Pure golf, with pedigree and precision.
The Island – Wild dunes and a terrific layout, often overlooked.
The European Club – A modern links with attitude, built by the legendary Pat Ruddy.
County Louth (Baltray) – Low-profile, high-quality—quietly exceptional.
Jameson Links – A younger sibling to the Old, but a joy to play.
Royal Dublin – Flat, classic, and steeped in Irish golf history.

📍Stay in Dublin or Malahide and enjoy world-class golf with restaurants, pubs, and zero car rentals if you plan it right.

Year 4 – The West

Rugged and remote—this is Ireland at its wildest, and some of its best golf.

Lahinch – Old Tom Morris meets Alister MacKenzie, with goats for good luck.
Doonbeg – Scenic and testing – now a proper links thanks to Martin Hawtree
Carne (36 Holes) – The Hackett course is the best course in Ireland. Two rounds minimum!
Enniscrone – Giant dunes and a flowing layout. Severely underrated.

Connemara – Way out west, but worth every minute of the drive.
County Sligo (Rosses Point) – Dramatic elevation changes and stunning views of Benbulben.

📍A two-base approach works well for this classic golf tour—start in Lahinch and swing north to Ballina or Belmullet.

Year 5 – The Northwest

Ireland’s best-kept secret. Pure links golf, with far less foot traffic.

Sandy Hills (Rosapenna) – Big dunes, bold routing, a rising star.
Old Tom Morris (Rosapenna) – History, charm, and an ideal second round.
St. Patrick’s Links – Tom Doak’s instant classic. Big, bold, and allegedly already one of the best links courses in the world.

Portsalon – Raw and natural, hugging Ballymastocker Bay.
Narin & Portnoo – Recently revitalised and absolutely world-class.
Donegal (Murvagh) – Long, open, and endlessly playable, another Hackett masterpiece.

📍You can comfortably base yourself in Downings for the Rosapenna courses, then move south to Donegal Town for the rest. This golf loop has it all—history, modern design, and breathtaking coastal terrain..

Wrap-Up

Ireland doesn’t have a single “best golf trip.” It has five! Each of these regional loops offers 6–7 incredible links, local pubs, spectacular scenery, and far less driving than the all-Ireland “greatest hits” itinerary.

If you’ve only got one shot at Ireland, of course we’ll help you hit the highlights. But if you’re planning to come back—and many do—build it out over five years. You’ll experience the full depth of Irish links golf, minus the 900 miles of tarmac.

Southwest Golf Week	Southwest	Ballybunion Old & Cashen, Waterville, Tralee, Old Head, Dooks,
Inishowen to Mourne	North	Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, Ballyliffin Old & Glashedy, Portstewart, Castlerock
East Coast Swing	East	Portmarnock, The European, The Island, County Louth, Jameson Links, Royal Dublin
West Coast Links	West	Carne, Lahinch, Doonbeg, Enniscrone, Connemara, County Sligo
Northwest Golf Week	Northwest	Sandy Hills, Donegal, Portsalon, Old Tom Morris, St. Patrick’s, Narin & Portnoo