Portmarnock Golf Club, classic links on a peninsula north of Dublin
Ranked · 6 courses · updated 2026

The Best Golf Courses Near Dublin

Few capital cities can match Dublin for golf within an hour of the door. Classic links run up the coast to the north and east, marquee parkland resorts sit just to the west, and the airport is in the middle of it all. These are the six courses we rank first for a Dublin golf trip, and how to play them.

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By the GolfForKings editorial desk · How we rank · Last reviewed June 2026

Photograph: Portmarnock Golf Club, near Dublin, via Google

How we chose them

We ranked the courses worth planning a Dublin trip around, drawn from the cluster within roughly an hour of the city, where an outstanding run of links sits close to the airport and a pair of five star parkland resorts fill out the week. We weighed pedigree, the quality of the test and the round you remember, and we favored layouts a visiting golfer travels for.

The result mixes three of Ireland's great links with two marquee resort courses, enough variety for a four or five round trip from a single base. Designers and details here were checked at the time of writing, and the order is ours. One omission worth flagging: the superb European Club in Wicklow, normally a fixture on any Dublin list, is closed for a major redevelopment until 2027, so we have left it off for now. See our best golf courses in Ireland for the national picture, or tell us your dates and our concierge builds and costs the trip.

The ranking

01

Portmarnock Golf Club

Founded 1894 · Portmarnock, north Dublin · links, par 72

Ireland's answer to Muirfield and one of the greatest links in the world. Laid out on a peninsula north of the city from 1894, Portmarnock is a flat, honest, exposed examination where the wind sets the test and the closing five holes are among the most admired in golf. It has hosted countless Irish Opens, the Walker Cup and a Canada Cup, and it is set to make history as the first venue outside the United Kingdom to stage The Open, scheduled for 2027. The first round any visitor should book.

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02

The Island Golf Club

Donabate · north of Dublin · links, par 71

A thrilling links among some of the biggest dunes in Ireland, set on a sandy spit at Donabate between Dublin Airport and Portmarnock. The Island is all blind shots, narrow fairways and towering sandhills, an old fashioned, adventurous round with no weak holes and views across the estuary to Malahide. Long overshadowed by its neighbors, it now sits firmly among Ireland's best and is many golfers' surprise favorite of a Dublin trip.

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03

County Louth Golf Club, Baltray

Tom Simpson, 1938 routing · Baltray, about 45 minutes north · links, par 72

A Tom Simpson masterpiece and a connoisseur's links, around forty five minutes up the coast at the mouth of the River Boyne. Better known simply as Baltray, it threads beautifully through rolling dunes with subtle, clever greens and not a wasted hole, and it has hosted the Irish Open more than once. Quieter and less famous than the Dublin trio, it is the round that golf architecture lovers rate the highlight, and well worth the short drive north.

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04

Royal Dublin Golf Club

Harry Colt design, founded 1885 · Bull Island, par 71

The most convenient great links in the country, three miles from the city center on Bull Island in Dublin Bay. Founded in 1885 and shaped by Harry Colt, Royal Dublin is a classic out and back links with a famous closing hole, the dogleg 18th nicknamed the Garden, and it was the home club of the legendary Christy O'Connor Senior. Firm fairways, fast greens and a city skyline backdrop make it an ideal first or last round of a trip.

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05

The K Club, Palmer Course

Arnold Palmer, 1991 · Straffan, County Kildare · parkland, par 72

The grandest parkland resort near Dublin and the home of the 2006 Ryder Cup. Arnold Palmer's Ryder Cup Course at The K Club, on the banks of the Liffey in Kildare around forty minutes west, is lush, watery and dramatic, with the famous par 5 closing holes that decided so many European Opens. Paired with a five star hotel and the resort's second course, it is the natural choice when a trip wants a touch of luxury and a marquee parkland to balance the links.

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06

Carton House, Montgomerie Course

Colin Montgomerie, 2002 · Maynooth, County Kildare · inland links, par 72

An inland links built on a historic estate around twenty five minutes west of Dublin, now run as the five star Fairmont Carton House. Colin Montgomerie's course is open, fescue framed and riddled with deep bunkers, a links style test on parkland ground that has hosted the Irish Open and an Eisenhower Trophy. With Mark O'Meara's wooded parkland course alongside and a grand hotel on site, it rounds out a Dublin trip with comfort and choice close to the city.

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Designers, founding years and hosting history verified June 2026 from club and recognized ranking sources. The order is our editorial view; the three coastal links lead, with the resort courses behind for those who want a parkland and a hotel. Always confirm visitor access and fees directly before booking.

Plan a golf trip to Dublin

Links a day on the coast, a parkland or two to the west, and a base in the city or by the sea: tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge builds the tee times, transfers and hotel, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.

Golf near Dublin: questions

What is the best golf course near Dublin?

Portmarnock Golf Club is the best course near Dublin and one of the finest links in the world. Founded in 1894 on a peninsula north of the city, its closing stretch is among the most admired in golf, and it is set to become the first venue outside the United Kingdom to host The Open Championship, scheduled for 2027. The Island, Baltray and Royal Dublin are the strongest links alternatives.

How many great golf courses are within an hour of Dublin?

An unusual concentration. Within about an hour you can play the classic links of Portmarnock, The Island and Royal Dublin to the north and east, County Louth at Baltray a little further up the coast, and the marquee parkland resorts of The K Club and Carton House to the west. That mix of championship links and five star parkland makes Dublin one of the best city bases for a golf trip in Europe.

When is the best time to play golf near Dublin?

May to September offers the longest days and the most settled weather, with the links at their firm, fast best in late summer and early autumn. The shoulder months of April and October are quieter and often good value, while winter golf is playable but exposed on the coast. Book the flagship links well ahead in peak season, especially at weekends.

How much does golf near Dublin cost in 2026?

Indicative 2026 high season green fees run from roughly 120 to 200 euro at the classic links such as The Island, Baltray and Royal Dublin, with the flagships of Portmarnock and the resort courses at The K Club and Carton House higher again. Visitor times, day tickets and twilight rates vary by club, so figures are indicative and you should always confirm directly before booking.

Related

Golf in Ireland Best golf courses in Ireland Ireland golf holidays The Island profile Royal Dublin profile All best lists

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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.

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