With the legacy of The Open at Royal Portrush still fresh, Ireland secured its place among the world’s most exceptional golf destinations. For those in search of championship courses, dramatic landscapes and renowned hospitality, the island offers an experience unlike any other.

Royal County Down © Tourism Ireland

Start in the north at Royal Portrush, home to revered Dunluce Links. The only Irish course to host The Open Championship, it remains a master class in coastal design, demanding and beautiful in equal measure. During the most recent Open, even world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was tested by its challenges. Stay just steps from the action at newly opened Dunluce Lodge, a refined retreat beside the fourth fairway where Rory McIlroy himself checked in during tournament week.

Royal County Down © Tourism Ireland

From there, travel east to Royal County Down in Newcastle. Regularly ranked among the top five courses in the world, it offers a routing as intricate as the scenery is spectacular. Nearby, Portstewart and Castlerock complete a trio of standout links — each uniquely framed by sea, dunes and sky.

Royal County Down © Tourism Ireland

The journey continues west along the Wild Atlantic Way, where the golf is both rugged and remarkable. Courses like Carne, Ballyliffin, Enniscrone and St. Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna showcase bold architecture and breathtaking terrain. The latter, a recent entry into the World Top 100, signals a new chapter in Irish links design.

Ballybunnion Old Course © Tourism Ireland

In the Southwest, legends like Ballybunion, Lahinch and Waterville await. These are courses that have long attracted the game’s greats — storied, scenic and deeply rooted in the traditions of links golf. On the East Coast, just outside Dublin, play Portmarnock, a perennial Open contender, or relive Ryder Cup memories at The K Club, host of the 2006 matches.

Ireland also offers a rare luxury: the ability to play top-ranked courses nearly year-round, thanks to its temperate climate and steady conditions.

Ballybunion Golf Course © Tourism Ireland

Beyond the final hole, the Irish welcome is unmistakable. Here, the 19th hole is a vital part of the experience. At Ballybunion, a pint overlooking the first tee feels like a rite of passage. Waterville’s clubhouse bar offers sweeping views of Ballinskelligs Bay, while Portmarnock’s lounge invites quiet reflection with a glass of whiskey beneath portraits of legends past. Whether it’s music in a coastal pub, fresh oysters by the sea or shared stories beside a peat fire, the game in Ireland continues long after the scorecard is signed.