Best Golf
Courses in Dublin

Founded in 1885, Royal Dublin is the second oldest golf club in Ireland. This 18 hole links course, designed originally by the renowned Harry Colt, has hosted many Irish Championships and has played host to the Irish Open on no less than 6 previous occasions. The club is accessed by travelling over an old wooden bridge which is a unique journey in itself. Bull Island, now a designated Unesco Heritage site, was formed as a result of a sea wall being constructed in the area in the 19th century. The island features two stunning courses – Royal Dublin & St. Anne’s.

Bull Island Nature Reserve, Dollymount, Dublin 5.

A true links test like its close neighbour, Royal Dublin, the experience at St. Anne’s features stunning views across Dublin Bay as far as the Wicklow Mountains and beautiful vistas of Howth Head. Founded in 1921, St Anne’s Golf Club is a considerable golfing challenge just 8km (5 miles) from Dublin City Centre. Interestingly the course’s back 9 features the sacred old turf that was once used at Ireland’s national stadium, Croke Park. Stars such as rugby player Cian Healy and top Irish golfers Des Smyth & Padraig Harrington rank the course as one of their favourite places to play in Dublin.

Bull Island Nature Reserve, Dollymount, Dublin 5.

Regularly ranked as one of the finest links courses in the world, Portmarnock Golf Club has a rich history of hosting massive tournaments including multiple Irish Open’s and the 1991 Walker Cup (a bi-annual contest pitting Great Britain & Ireland’s top amateur golfers against their American counterparts). Many of golf’s greatest names have graced the fairways here. 15 time major champion Tiger Woods once described the course as being “One of the most enjoyable links courses I have had an opportunity to play”. Portmarnock opened for play way back in 1894.

Golf Links Rd, Stapolin, Portmarnock, Co. Dublin,

Founded in 1890, The Island in Donabate is overlooked by the beautiful coastal village of Malahide*. The course is located on some of the most breath-taking terrain on Ireland’s east coast. The Island is one of the oldest courses on the island of Ireland and has a burgeoning international reputation. Over the last few years the course has hosted preliminary qualifying for The Open Championship and in 2019 co-hosted qualifying for the British Amateur Championship. The Island is just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport and 25 minutes away from Dublin City Centre making it an ideal location to get a round in!

Corballis, Donabate, Co. Dublin

Situated on a 567 acre walled estate, Luttrellstown is just 20 minutes from the city centre. The first parkland style course on our list, the course is surrounded by magnificent woodlands with many mature and beautiful trees to be seen. The estate is several centuries old and the land has been cultivated to reflect the historic nature of the grounds. The River Liffey and adjoining Strawberry Beds can be spotted from the 15th tee making for a very memorable image. Water is in play on several holes so you best be accurate to avoid the dreaded aqua! Interestingly, the Beckhams chose the castle as the venue for their 1999 wedding.

Annfield, Castleknock, Co. Dublin

The home club of one of Ireland’s best ever golfers, winning Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley. The Grange is an extremely challenging layout with tight fairways placing accurate driving at a premium. Partly designed by the famous golf course designer, James Braid and located in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, The Grange in Rathfarnham is just a few kilometres outside of Dublin City. The course itself once won the prestigious Golf Digest Ireland award for best parkland course in Dublin and is regularly ranked in the top 20 on the whole island of Ireland so you best bring some good form to tackle this challenge.

16 Whitechurch Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14