Golf in Dublin and the East Coast: Portmarnock, The Island & More

World-Class Golf Within 30 Minutes Of Dublin

Dublin has long been synonymous with Guinness, Georgian architecture, and literary giants, but the Irish capital is equally a golfer’s paradise. Within a 30-minute drive of the city centre — and just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport — you’ll find some of the finest championship links courses in the world. The east coast of Ireland, stretching from Dublin northward to County Louth and southward through County Wicklow to the Wexford border, contains more than 65 golf courses, many of international standing. This article explores the world-class golf experiences that make Dublin and the surrounding regions an essential pilgrimage for serious golfers and casual holiday players alike.

North Dublin Links: The Crown Jewels

Portmarnock Golf Club: Where History Meets Championship Golf

Portmarnock Golf Club stands as one of the most storied links courses in Ireland and arguably the world. Founded in 1894, it has hosted the Irish Open on three occasions (1983, 1984, 1985) and remains a regular stop for professional tournaments. The club is surrounded by water on three sides, creating a dramatic and challenging setting that improves with every hole you play. The course’s design places a premium on shot-making and strategy — navigating the changeable winds that roll across Dublin Bay demands both skill and mental fortitude.

Located just 10 miles north of Dublin City Centre and a mere 15 minutes from Dublin Airport, Portmarnock is exceptionally accessible for visitors. The club operates a structured visitor programme from April 1 through October 31, welcoming golfers on weekdays and selected weekends. Visitors who are members of recognized golf clubs can arrange tee times through the club’s website or approved tour operators. Green fees for 18 holes on the Championship Course are €475, which includes a two-course meal in the clubhouse. Extended rounds of 27 holes cost €580, while 36 holes are €665. The course operates on a walking-only basis to preserve the links and maintain the highest standards.

Dress code requirements reflect the club’s standing: golf trousers, tailored shorts with socks, skirts, collared shirts, or appropriate mock turtleneck shirts are expected at all times on the course and practice areas. Buggies are not available for visitors. The pro shop is well-stocked, and the clubhouse facilities are excellent, with knowledgeable staff ready to assist with course information, club rentals, or dining reservations.

The Island Golf Club: A Championship Links Hidden in Plain Sight

The Island Golf Club, established in 1890, holds a unique place in Irish golf history. The club’s name derives from its original geography — until 1973, the only way to reach the course was by rowing across a narrow stretch of water from Malahide. Today, access is straightforward, but the sense of isolation and drama that once surrounded the course persists in its championship character.

The Island sits tucked among towering sand dunes along the east coast, just outside the charming village of Malahide. The setting is magnificent, with the Irish Sea visible from numerous holes and the windswept dunes creating dramatic challenges. In 2024, The Island ranked 10th in Irish Golfer’s Top 100 Courses in Ireland, recognition of its standing as a true championship test. The course occupies unique linksland that has remained largely unspoiled, featuring authentic Irish duneland with pot bunkers and elevated greens that demand precision.

Located 20 minutes from Dublin Airport and under an hour from Dublin city centre, The Island is remarkably accessible despite its isolated-seeming location. The club welcomes visitors with advance booking, and the experience of playing this gem should not be missed. The rugged beauty of the landscape, combined with the fair but stern test of the links, makes The Island an unforgettable 18 holes.

Royal Dublin Golf Club: One of the Greatest Links in the World

The Royal Dublin Golf Club, founded in 1885 on Bull Island in Dollymount, is steeped in nearly 140 years of golfing history. It claims the distinction of being the second-oldest golf club in Ireland and is widely accepted as one of the greatest links courses in the world. The original 18-hole course was designed by the legendary architect H.S. Colt of Sunningdale, and the links has hosted numerous significant tournaments, including the Carrolls Irish Open from 1983 to 1985.

The club’s recent redesign by Clayton DeVries & Pont proved highly successful, with a complete reworking of the bunkering system that refreshed the course while respecting its historical character. The result is a links that feels simultaneously vintage and contemporary — testing but fair, with bunkers and hazards that look natural in the linksland setting.

Royal Dublin is located on North Bull Island Nature Reserve, just three miles from Dublin city centre and 20 minutes from the airport. Access to the course crosses a wooden bridge to Dollymount strand, adding to the sense of arrival at something special. The club has a strong tradition of welcoming visitors, particularly during afternoon tee times. The clubhouse facilities are outstanding, with excellent dining options and pro shop services.

Malahide Golf Club: Parkland Elegance on Dublin’s North Coast

For visitors seeking a high-quality parkland alternative to the links, Malahide Golf Club offers an exceptional experience. Founded in 1892, the club occupies 180 acres of mature wooded parkland just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport. The 27-hole layout is spread across three challenging nines, each redeveloped to USGA standards by renowned architect Jeff Howes. The course is characterized by doglegs, water hazards, and raised greens that demand accurate shotmaking.

The clubhouse and facilities are first-rate, with a pro shop, practice range, chipping green, and putting green. The bar and restaurant on the first floor offer spectacular views over the course and across Dublin Bay toward the Howth peninsula. Malahide welcomes visitors daily and is an excellent choice for a shorter break or when you want parkland golf with Dublin Bay views as your backdrop.

Corballis Links Golf Club: Public Links Golf at Its Best

Corballis Golf Links in Donabate offers something unique in the Irish golf landscape — a public links course where anyone can play without club membership or introduction. Opened in its current form in the early 2000s, Corballis is built on century-old duneland that dates to 1906. The distinctive par-66 course measures 4,624 yards and features dramatic blind shots, elevated greens, and spectacular Irish Sea views overlooking Lambay Island and Lambay Castle.

Located less than 10 miles southeast of Dublin Airport and just 15-20 minutes by car via the M1 motorway, Corballis is exceptionally accessible for visitors. The course operates as Ireland’s only public links and is an excellent value option for golfers wanting authentic links golf without the membership requirements or high green fees of traditional clubs. The experience is genuine — pure links golf on old duneland with minimal development.

South Dublin And Wicklow: The Championship Belt

Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort: Ireland’s Augusta National

Nestled in 400 acres between the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea, just 30 minutes south of Dublin, Druids Glen is often called “the Augusta National of Ireland.” The resort opened in 1995 and hosted the Irish Open from 1996 to 1999, as well as the 2002 Seve Trophy. Designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, the course features immaculately manicured fairways, dramatic water features, and a spectacular Amen Corner-style stretch on the back nine that models Golden Bell, the iconic par-3 at Augusta National.

The par-3 12th hole is particularly memorable — a demanding shot over water to a well-guarded green that has produced some dramatic moments over the years. The entire course has hosted four Irish Opens on the DP World Tour, testimony to its standing as a championship test. In 2003, the resort opened a second championship layout, Druids Heath Golf Course, which has hosted the Irish PGA Championship.

Visitors are welcome daily, though advance booking is essential during peak season. The resort offers hotel accommodations in its 5-star facility, allowing for a comprehensive golf holiday experience with excellent dining, spa facilities, and other amenities. The par-72 championship course plays 7,222 yards from the back tees. Green fees and accommodation packages are available through the resort’s website and booking partners.

Powerscourt Golf Club: Two Courses in One of Europe’s Finest Estates

Powerscourt Estate is one of Europe’s most remarkable properties, featuring 1,000 acres of carefully managed grounds, 47 acres of formal gardens, and a grand house that dates to the 1730s. The golf club sits within this spectacular setting, offering two championship courses designed by different architects, each providing distinct challenges and character.

The East Course, designed by former Walker Cup Captain Peter McEvoy, has hosted the Irish PGA Championship and the European Tour Irish Senior Open. It offers a testing challenge with strong back-nine scoring holes.

The West Course, designed by David McLay Kidd, meanders through the estate grounds and features wonderful views of the Wicklow Hills and the Irish Sea. This layout emphasizes the landscape’s natural beauty while maintaining a fair and rewarding test of golf.

Both courses welcome visitors on a pay-and-play basis. Located just 25 minutes from Dublin city centre, Powerscourt combines world-class golf with the opportunity to explore one of Ireland’s greatest estates, visit the gardens and house, and experience parkland golf at its finest. The clubhouse offers excellent facilities, including a state-of-the-art driving range and well-appointed pro shop.

The European Club (Brittas Bay): Links Golf on the Edge of Ireland

The European Club, now operating under the banner of Brittas Bay Club, represents one of the great personal golf achievements in modern course design. Pat Ruddy, an accomplished golf writer and architect, discovered the 193-acre site during helicopter surveys of Ireland’s coastline in 1986. He mortgaged his home to purchase the land and spent five years designing and building what would become The European Club, opened on Boxing Day 1992.

The course sits hard against the Irish Sea’s Arklow Bay, rolling across untamed duneland with pot bunkers lined in railroad ties, dramatic blind shots, and elevated greens. The links features 20 holes (two extra par-3 holes supplement the standard 18), and from sixteen holes, you can see the Irish Sea. The design captures both the drama and beauty of genuine Irish linksland in a way that feels earned rather than forced.

Located between the towns of Wicklow and Arklow, about an hour south of Dublin Airport, the course is relatively remote but worth the drive. The course closed in 2025 for comprehensive redesign by renowned architect Kyle Phillips, with reopening scheduled for 2027. Golfers should monitor the club’s website for reopening announcements and booking information.

Arklow Golf Club: A Traditional Links South of Dublin

For golfers exploring the Wicklow coast, Arklow Golf Club offers a solid traditional links experience. While less famous than the championship courses listed above, Arklow maintains strong standards and welcomes visitors. The course sits on genuine linksland and provides authentic coastal golf with Irish Sea views. Located in the town of Arklow, approximately 50 minutes from Dublin, it makes an excellent add-on to a Wicklow golf itinerary.

The Leinster Coast: North To County Louth

County Louth Golf Club (Baltray): A Championship Test in the Boyne Valley

County Louth Golf Club, familiarly known as Baltray, stands among the top five championship links courses in Ireland. Located in the historic Boyne Valley, approximately 4 miles from Drogheda and 45 minutes from Dublin Airport, the club occupies linksland that feels both timeless and manicured to the highest standards.

Founded in 1892, Baltray was redesigned in 1938 by golf architects Tom Simpson and Molly Gourlay. The par-72 championship course measures 7,031 yards from the back tees and is renowned as one of the purest and fairest tests of links golf in the world. In 2004 and 2009, the club hosted the European Tour’s Irish Open. Most notably, the 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry won the Irish Open as an amateur at Baltray in 2009 — a claim to fame few courses can match.

The clubhouse is exceptional for a relatively remote course, with a highly regarded restaurant specializing in fresh seafood and other local dishes. Uniquely among Irish golf clubs, Baltray offers on-site accommodation within the clubhouse, allowing for a complete golf and lodging experience. Visitors are welcome, and the course is worth the 45-minute journey from Dublin.

Seapoint Golf Club and Laytown & Bettystown: Additional North Coast Options

For golfers exploring the Louth coast, Seapoint Golf Club offers another links option. Laytown & Bettystown, located between Drogheda and Laytown on the River Boyne estuary, provides additional quality linkland golf in the region. Both courses are accessible from County Louth and provide alternatives to the championship standard of Baltray while maintaining solid courses in attractive coastal settings.

Wicklow To Wexford: The Southern Coast

Rosslare Golf Club: Championship Golf in County Wexford

Rosslare Golf Club, located in County Wexford approximately 90 minutes south of Dublin, sits on genuine seaside linksland with commanding views over the Irish Sea. The club welcomes visitors and offers a championship test in a more remote setting. For golfers undertaking an extended Wicklow and Wexford golf tour, Rosslare provides an excellent southern anchor to an itinerary that might include Arklow, The European Club, and other courses.

City Centre Options: When You Only Have An Afternoon

Not every golfer has a full day to escape Dublin. For visitors with limited time, several options remain:

Howth Golf Club sits just 25 minutes from Dublin city centre on the Hill of Howth, overlooking Dublin Bay. Founded in 1916, the heathland links-style course was designed by James Braid, a five-time Open Champion. The setting is spectacular, with views southward to Wicklow, northward over the islands of Ireland’s Eye and Lambay, and as far as the Cooley and Mourne Mountains. The course is compact enough for a quick round and accessible via taxi or short car rental from central Dublin. Howth welcomes visitors daily and offers online booking.

Royal Dublin Golf Club offers afternoon tee times for golfers unable to play a full day. Located just three miles from the city centre, the club is accessible within 10-15 minutes from Temple Bar or other central locations.

Important note: afternoon rounds on Dublin Bay courses can be significantly more challenging than morning play due to swirling wind conditions created by the bay. Club selection may vary by two or three clubs between holes, and the afternoon wind can turn a manageable course into a stern examination. Morning golf is preferable for most skill levels.

Transport: Getting To Dublin Area Courses

Dublin is exceptionally well-served by public transportation, private car rental, and specialized golf transport services.

Dublin Airport Connections

Dublin Airport, located roughly 10 km north of Dublin city centre, is the primary international gateway. From the airport, several transport options lead to golf courses and city accommodations:

– Aircoach buses depart every 15 minutes to Dublin city centre, with the nearest stop at Grafton Street near Trinity College. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes, and cost is modest.

– Taxis and ride-hailing services cost approximately €30 and take about 30 minutes to the city centre. From the city, courses are 15-40 minutes further depending on location.

– Rental cars are available at the airport. Driving is straightforward, with clear signage to major courses. Parking at golf clubs is complimentary.

– Specialized golf transportation services operate 8-seater golf vans designed specifically for golfers with equipment and luggage. Companies including LfL Chauffeur Services and Dublin Golf Tour offer door-to-door transport from the airport or city to any course. This option is particularly valuable for groups and removes the uncertainty of driving in unfamiliar conditions.

From Dublin City Centre

Most courses listed in this article are 15-40 minutes from central Dublin. Taxi fares to courses range from €20 to €50 depending on distance. Rental cars provide flexibility if you’re planning multiple courses in a day or wish to explore the surrounding landscape.

For courses south of Dublin (Druids Glen, Powerscourt), the N11 south provides direct access through Wicklow.

For courses north of Dublin (Portmarnock, The Island, County Louth), the M1 motorway provides direct access.

Walking courses: Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, The Island, County Louth, and most championship links require walking and do not allow buggies for visitors. This is a deliberate policy to preserve the courses. Bring comfortable golf shoes with good grip.

Combining Golf With Dublin City

Dublin’s cultural richness, dining scene, and famous nightlife make it an excellent base for a golf holiday. After a morning round, you can spend the afternoon exploring the city and enjoy an evening in one of Dublin’s famous establishments.

Dining in Dublin

Dublin has become a culinary destination, with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional Irish gastropubs. Chapter One restaurant holds Michelin-star status and offers a dining experience to rival world-class restaurants anywhere. For traditional Irish cuisine, countless gastropubs throughout the city serve excellent fare ranging from Irish stew and coddle to fresh fish and chips.

The city centre around Grafton Street, Temple Bar, and the Quays offers dense restaurant and pub options, making it easy to find something appropriate for any budget or cuisine preference.

Pubs and Traditional Music

Dublin’s famous pub culture is not merely about drinking — pubs serve as social hubs where you’ll hear traditional music, poetry, conversation, and lively debate. Temple Bar remains the most famous tourist destination for nightlife and pub culture, while quieter options throughout the city offer more authentic local experiences.

There are over 1,000 pubs in Dublin, and they are central to Irish cultural and social life. A pint of Guinness in a traditional Dublin pub after a day of golf is something of a rite of passage for visiting golfers.

Cultural Attractions

Trinity College, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery, the Guinness Storehouse, and Dublin Castle are among the major attractions. Many of these are within walking distance of central hotels, making it easy to combine a day of golf with cultural exploration.

Sample Itineraries

Three-Day Dublin Golf Holiday: Links Focus

Day 1: Arrive at Dublin Airport. Collect rental car or arrange golf transport. Play Portmarnock (€475 for 18 holes including meal). Check into hotel in Dublin city centre or near Portmarnock. Evening: explore Dublin or relax.

Day 2: Morning round at The Island Golf Club (20 minutes from Dublin Airport). Afternoon: return to Dublin city centre. Evening: dinner and pub crawl in Temple Bar or alternate dining destination.

Day 3: Play Royal Dublin Golf Club (3 miles from city centre). Afternoon: depart for airport or extend stay.

Four-Day East Coast Golf Tour

Day 1: Dublin Airport — Portmarnock (15 minutes). Overnight in Portmarnock area.

Day 2: The Island Golf Club (nearby). Afternoon: explore Malahide village and coastal scenery.

Day 3: Drive south to Wicklow (40 minutes). Play Druids Glen. Overnight in Wicklow area.

Day 4: Powerscourt Golf Club (nearby Enniskerry). Explore Powerscourt Estate gardens and house. Return to Dublin city centre or airport.

Five-Day Championship Course Tour

Day 1: Dublin Airport — Royal Dublin Golf Club (20 minutes). Overnight Dublin.

Day 2: Portmarnock Golf Club. Overnight Portmarnock or Dublin.

Day 3: Drive to Baltray (45 minutes from Dublin). Play County Louth Golf Club. Overnight Drogheda or return to Dublin.

Day 4: Play The Island Golf Club. Drive south to Wicklow.

Day 5: Druids Glen Golf Club. Return to Dublin.

Six-Day Complete East Coast Golf Holiday

Day 1: Arrive Dublin Airport. Play Howth Golf Club (25 minutes). Overnight Dublin city centre.

Day 2: Play Portmarnock. Overnight Portmarnock or Dublin.

Day 3: The Island Golf Club. Afternoon: Malahide village or Dublin exploration.

Day 4: Drive to County Louth. Play Baltray. Overnight Drogheda area.

Day 5: Return to Dublin region. Play Royal Dublin Golf Club. Overnight Dublin.

Day 6: Play Powerscourt Golf Club (Wicklow). Explore Powerscourt Estate. Return to Dublin or airport.

Closing: Dublin’S Golf Legacy And Your Next Round

Golf in Dublin and the surrounding East Coast represents some of the finest links golf available anywhere in the world. Portmarnock, The Island, Royal Dublin, County Louth, and the championship courses of Wicklow offer tests that satisfy serious players while remaining accessible to golfers of all skill levels. The combination of world-class courses, accessibility from Dublin Airport and city centre, excellent accommodation and dining options, and rich cultural attractions makes Dublin an exceptional golf destination.

The courses listed above range from the most famous links courses in the world (Portmarnock, Royal Dublin) to hidden gems that will reward the golfer willing to explore (The Island, Baltray, Howth). Whether you have three days or a week, a large budget or a modest one, Dublin and the East Coast offer golf experiences that will remain in memory long after the vacation ends.

Plan your Dublin golf holiday with care. Book tee times several months in advance, particularly for peak season (May through September). Arrange transportation from the airport to eliminate stress. Spend time in the city to experience Dublin’s culture, cuisine, and nightlife. And prepare yourself mentally for the Irish coastal weather — wind, rain, and low clouds are part of the authentic links experience, and they make the sunshine all the more precious.

Your round at Portmarnock or Baltray, a pint of Guinness in a Dublin pub, and memories of Irish linksland await.