The 7 Best Golf Courses Near Dublin

Dublin, Ireland’s vibrant capital, isn’t just a cultural hub—it’s also a renowned destination for golf enthusiasts. Well-connected and easy to navigate, Dublin offers a wide variety of courses that challenge both beginners and avid golfers alike.

The Dublin Golf Coast, often considered one of the most beautiful golfing regions in the world, is home to some of the most scenic and historic courses you’ll ever play. While the weather can be unpredictable, it’s never extreme, making it a perfect spot for year-round golfing. 

Beyond the fairways, Dublin’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere make it easy to pair your round of golf with unforgettable experiences—whether that’s exploring the Guinness Factory or visiting the 700 pubs scattered across the city (including the famous Temple Bar Street). For golfers looking to blend sport with culture, Dublin is the perfect place to tee off.

1. Portmarnock Golf Club

Portmarnock’s Championship Course is consistently ranked among the best in Ireland and the world, often finding itself in the top 10 rankings for both. The course is known for its strategic design, with a series of demanding holes. The layout is both traditional and enduring, staying true to its roots while offering a modern test for players of all levels.

One of the unique features of Portmarnock Golf Club is its third nine—a rare offering that allows golfers to play an extra nine holes after their round on the championship layout. This gives visitors the chance to extend their experience and enjoy more of the scenic beauty of the course and its distinctive challenges.

Opened: 1894
Par: 72
Length: 7,466 yards
Designers Include: William Pickeman, George Ross
Difficulty: Slope 110 / Rating  70.0

2. The Island

The Island’s 18-hole championship course is known for its classic links style—characterized by its tough, narrow holes and unpredictable weather conditions. The front nine is particularly famous for its dramatic views and its natural features, while the back nine brings more inland holes that still offer plenty of challenge and beauty.

One of the highlights is the signature 6th hole, a par 3 over a deep ravine to a perched green, which stands out as a challenging yet picturesque spot on the course.

Opened: 1890
Par: 71
Length: 7,024 yards
Designers Include: Fred Hawtree, Martin Hawtree
Difficulty: Slope 132 / Rating 75.1

3. Jameson Golf Links

This links course, designed by Bernhard Langer, originally opened in 1995 and has since been extensively renovated and rebranded as Jameson Golf Links, reflecting its setting on the historic Jameson Estate.

The first eight holes stretch across gently rolling terrain, with definition created by a mix of grasses and pot bunkers. Around the turn, a cluster of wild sand dunes introduces a more dramatic and noticeable change in the landscape.

Opened: 1993
Par: 71
Length: 7,186 yards
Designers Include: Pat Ruddy
Difficulty: Slope 133 / Rating 75.8

4. The European Club

The European Club, located in Brittas Bay, County Wicklow, just south of Dublin, is a highly acclaimed links course designed by Pat Ruddy and opened in 1993. 

With memorable holes such as the 12th, with a green that stretches over 125 yards, the European Club offers a true test of links golf and scenic beauty of the Irish Sea that cannot be matched.

Opened: 1992
Par: 71
Length: 7,377 yards
Designers Include: Pat Ruddy

5. The Royal Dublin Golf Club

Founded in 1885, Royal Dublin Golf Club is the perfect starting point for any Dublin golf tour, located just three miles from the city center and only 20 minutes from the airport. 

This prestigious 18-hole, par-71 links course, designed by Harry Colt and modified by Pat Ruddy, offers a traditional challenge with firm fairways, fast greens, and coastal winds. Set on Bull Island in Dublin Bay, it combines natural beauty with strategic difficulty, making it an ideal introduction to Irish links golf. 

Opened: 1885
Par: 72
Length: 7,269 yards
Designers Include: Harry Colt
Difficulty: Slope 138 / Rating 76.1

6. Luttrellstown Castle

Set within the Luttrellstown Estate with the 15th-century castle at its center, the Luttrellstown Castle course is nothing short of bliss and beauty. The course is fairly open, with bunkers placed strategically and rough that remains forgiving, never too punishing.

The already excellent set of holes on the main 18-hole circuit has been renovated to championship level, now featuring USGA-standard greens.

Opened: 1993
Par: 72
Length: 7,347 yards
Designers Include: Tom MacKenzie, Donald Steel
Difficulty: Slope 113 / Rating 70.0

7. Castle Golf Club

The Castle Golf Club, founded in 1859 and located in Dundrum, Dublin, offers a classic 6,270-yard, par-70 parkland course set against the scenic backdrop of the Dublin Mountains. Designed in two loops of nine holes, the course is known for its mature tree-lined fairways and challenging layout. 

The round concludes with a tough finish—two back-to-back par fives, starting with the 529-yard 16th and followed by the 500-yard 17th, before a demanding 411-yard par four 18th.

Opened: 1913
Par: 72
Length: 6,453 yards
Designers Include: Harry Colt
Difficulty: Slope 110 / Rating 70.0

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