Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is renowned for its spectacular scenery and world-class championship golf. Home to legendary courses such as Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, the region offers a blend of challenging links golf, dramatic coastal landscapes, and rich history. From the stunning Causeway Coast to the Mountains of Mourne, golfers will find unforgettable experiences both on and off the course. Combined with vibrant cities, historic landmarks, and welcoming local culture, Northern Ireland is a must-visit destination for golf travelers.

Why Golfers Love It:

  • World-Renowned Championship Courses

  • Spectacular Causeway Coast

  • Open Championship Heritage

  • Historic Castles & Landmarks

  • Vibrant Local Culture

Royal Country Down Golf

Featured Courses

Royal County Down Golf Club

Set in the Murlough Nature Reserve with the Mountains of Mourne rising in the background, Royal County Down is one of the most breathtaking links courses in the world. The course runs along Dundrum Bay, with each hole offering a new angle of dunes, sea, and mountain scenery.

Narrow fairways weave through towering sand dunes, framed by purple heather and golden gorse that are as beautiful as they are unforgiving. The famous “bearded” bunkers, with their overhanging grasses, add to the course’s unique character, while fast, domed greens demand confident, precise shot-making and a strong links game.

One of the most iconic holes in golf is the par-4 9th, played from an elevated tee down into a valley before a demanding approach over bunkers to a raised green. From championship tees, Royal County Down is a stern and world-renowned test, yet multiple tee options make it accessible for all golfers to experience its dramatic setting.

Royal Belfast Golf Club

Founded in 1881, Royal Belfast Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Ireland and a key part of the country’s golfing history. Designed by legendary architect Harry Colt, the course is a classic parkland layout that has stood the test of time and remains largely unchanged since the 1920s.

Set along Belfast Lough with views toward the Antrim Plateau, the course is known for its natural beauty, mature trees, and carefully placed bunkers. It is a true test of accuracy over distance, where thoughtful shot-making and precision are rewarded throughout the round.

Highlights include the tight par-3 4th surrounded by bunkers, the demanding par-4 9th running alongside the lough, and a strong closing stretch featuring scenic and strategic holes that keep the challenge going to the final green.

Royal Belfast has hosted major professional events over the years and continues to offer a classic, rewarding golfing experience in one of Ireland’s most scenic parkland settings.

Portstewart Golf Club

Founded in 1894, Portstewart Golf Club is home to three distinctive links courses, a rare offering in Ireland and the UK.

The Old Course is the club’s original layout, featuring a short but scenic routing along the shoreline and inland, making it ideal for relaxed rounds, groups, and visiting golfers.

The world-famous Strand Course is the club’s championship layout and one of Ireland’s finest links. Known for its dramatic dunes, rolling fairways, and stunning Atlantic views, it delivers a true test of links golf and is widely regarded as a bucket-list experience.

The Riverside Course offers a more forgiving but enjoyable challenge, with tree-lined holes running alongside the River Bann—perfect for casual rounds or groups looking for a lighter option while still enjoying the Portstewart experience.