Brilliant Irish courses that won't break the bank
You don't need to play Royal County Down to have a fantastic Irish golf trip. These courses punch above their green fee — proper tests of golf in beautiful settings, all under our value threshold. Mix one or two into a trip to balance the spend on the marquee names.
- Donegal · links
Ballymastocker Bay, one of the great beach views in golf, and a green fee under €100.
Donegal · linksA Gil Hanse-restored gem on the Donegal coast — astonishing value for a top-tier links.
Sligo · linksMagnificent dunes-land links on Killala Bay — a bucket-list course at half the price of its neighbours.
- Sligo · links
Wild, humpy dunes under Knocknarea for the price of a couple of rounds of drinks.
- Kerry · parkland
Ruined-castle parkland under the MacGillycuddy's Reeks for well under €100.
Donegal · links · ChampionshipA massive Hackett links on a wild peninsula south of Donegal Town — proper, raw, uncrowded.
Kerry · linksFriendly Ring of Kerry links with knockout views of Dingle Bay — affordable, characterful, and beloved.
Monaghan · parklandA modern parkland on the shores of Lough Muckno — co-designed by both Christy O'Connors.
Cork · parkland · ChampionshipA rare MacKenzie design in Ireland — quarry holes, estuary views and a Munster classic.
Derry · linksCauseway Coast links between two rivers — a perfect warm-up for Royal Portrush.
Down · linksCliff-top links with the world's oldest clubhouse — exceptional value next to Royal County Down.
Kerry · parkland · ChampionshipLakeside parkland framed by the MacGillycuddy's Reeks — twice host of the Irish Open.
Kerry · linksThe most westerly course in Europe — a windswept Hackett links on the Dingle Peninsula.
Offaly · parklandShane Lowry's home club — a rolling, glacial-ridge parkland and one of the country's great-value rounds.
#15Druids GlenWicklow · parkland · ChampionshipThe "Augusta of Europe" — manicured parkland in the Wicklow hills, four-time Irish Open host.