Giants Causeway is flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs.
Golf was born in Northern Ireland with the founding of Royal Belfast in 1881 and some of the finest links will tempt you to come to these shores. Royal Portrush hosted the British Open in 1951 while the British Senior Open was held several times at the stunning Royal County Down. Northern Ireland offers a warm and friendly welcome which makes it one of the world’s most magical golf destinations.
Royal Portrush’s unimaginable rough and testing greens, combined with the unpredictable weather of the roaring North Atlantic make this course an admirable test.
Wander the ruins of medieval castles and ancient cities as you travel through the glens and mountains of this beautiful country. The Giant’s Causeway will capture your imagination as you look out to the sea towards Scotland or trace your path through the wonderful mountains of Mourne.
The coastline near Portrush is dominated by the ruins of Dunluce Castle , perched atop a dramatic basalt crag.
Once you review the below golf courses and hotels, please Request a Quote from one of our golf travel specialists.
GOLF COURSES
ROYAL PORTRUSH (Dunluce): The oldest course in Northern Ireland and one of the world’s finest links course. It has been the venue for many British Senior Open Championships as well as the only course outside of England or Scotland to have hosted a British Open Championship. Venue for the 2004 Senior British Open.
ROYAL PORTRUSH (Valley Course): While not as famous as it’s sister course (Dunluce), the Valley Course is generally considered to be among the best courses in N. Ireland.
ROYAL COUNTY DOWN: Dramatically set against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains and Dundrum Bay, Royal County Down is consistently rated among the top ten courses in the world. Venue for the 2000- 2002 British Senior Open Championships. Note: Suggest booking a caddy due to the lack of yardage markers on the course.
Royal County Down is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest links, challenging and beautifully set in the shadows of the Mourne Mountains.
ROYAL BELFAST: Ireland’s oldest club. In 1925 the responsibility of course design and layout at the present location was given to H.C. Colt the eminent English course architect of the day, who also laid out the Royal Portrush course. With the assistance of Walker Cup player W.A. Murray, Colt produced a course of great charm which provides a true test of golfing skill and which has one of the loveliest settings of any in Britain with its unrivalled views of Belfast Lough and the Antrim plateau beyond. The course remains much the same today as it was then.
PORTSTEWART: Portstewart is a true championship caliber links course. Seven new holes were recently added through the high dunes, making it an even tougher challenge. Magnificent views of Portstewart ‘Strand’ and the Irish sea abound on this classic links land. Venue for many regional and national tournaments.
CASTLEROCK: One of the most natural links courses you will ever play. It is well worth testing your game over this 100 year old course (opened in 1901). The blind drives, numerous bunkers and small greens will test every aspect of your game and that is without any wind!
ARDGLASS: The overused term ‘hiddem gem’ does in fact apply to Ardglass. A visually stunning and challenging course, may of the holes will linger in your memory long after the round is over.
BALLYLIFFIN (Old Course / Glashedy): Ireland’s most northerly club, boasts two superior links courses that rival any in the British Isles. Ballyliffin’s Old Course, opened in 1947, and the recently added Glashedy course have been described by Nick Faldo as “hidden gems…the most natural golf links I have ever played.”
The views of the magnificent Ballyliffin links course will not easily be forgotten.
SELECTION OF HOTELS
First Class
THE BUSHMILLS INN (pictured above), Bushmills (Superior First Class): The Bushmills Inn is located in the village that is home to the world’s oldest distillery. The cozy glow of a turf fire, the gas lamps and the circular library, with its intriguing secret room, give the inn a unique character. All bedrooms are en suite, are individually decorated in comfortable cottage style and are divided between the Mill House and the Coaching Inn areas of the hotel. The nearby Giant’s Causeway Coast boasts the most spectacular coastline in the British Isles – wide sandy beaches washed by Atlantic rollers – and there are nine golf courses in the area including Royal Portrush. The hotel restaurant serves the finest fresh foods all day and features intimate snugs and whitewashed walls.
ROYAL COURT HOTEL, Portrush (First Class): The Royal Court occupies one of the best positions on Northern Ireland’s world famous Causeway Coast. The hotel offers unrivalled views over the harbor town of Portrush, its world famous Royal Portrush golf course and probably the best stretch of beach anywhere on the island. The hotel’s 14 bedrooms and 4 suites are all en suite and have direct dial telephone, tea/coffee making facilities, satellite TV and trouser press.
RAMADA HOTEL, Portrush (First Class): The Ramada Hotel is ideally located in the center of beautiful Portrush and a short drive away from the the world class links of Royal Portrush. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this 50 room hotel was voted Northern Ireland Hotel of the Year in 2005. Each of the bedrooms are tastefully decorated with your comfort and relaxation in mind. Enjoy the unrivaled ambience in the Counties Cafe Bar and Restaurant where excellent local cuisine is served.
GLASSDRUMMAN LODGE, Annalong (Country House): Glassdrumman Lodge lies in the heart of the ancient ‘Kingdom of Mourne’, just outside the village of Annalong on the County Down coast. This majestic range of mountains, rich in history and legend, is one of the most picturesque mountain districts in Ireland. The Lodge is owned by Graeme and Joan Hall whose philosophy is “Simple Excellence” and who have already gained for Glassdrumman a widespread reputation and acclaim for its food. It is highly recommended by many international food and hotel guides. There are but 10 bedrooms, with bathroom en suite, 24-hour room service, direct-dial telephone, color TV, overnight laundry and a secretarial service. The Lodge is perfectly located for golfers who wish to play the world famous Royal
County Down Golf Course.
BALLYLIFFIN LODGE & SPA, Ballyliffin (Superior First Class): Just opened in July 2005, the luxurious Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa has been built to 4* standards and promises to become one of Ireland’s first class retreats. Situated on 2.5 acres of lush elevated countryside, the hotel will overlook the breathtaking views of Pollan Bay, the famous Glasheedy Rock and and has been designed to make modern facilities available, yet not lose the traditional Irish atmosphere enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
SLIEVE DONARD HOTEL (pictured above), Newcastle (Superior First Class): Few hotels enjoy a more picturesque setting than the Slieve Donard does. Located at the base of the Mountains of Mourne, the fine hotel is adjacent to the Royal County Down Golf Club and overlooks Dundrum Bay. Built over a century ago, the hotel has recently completed a total refurbishment. It now offers complete leisure facilities as well as a choice of dinning options.
Deluxe
Culloden Hotel (pictured above) (Hollywood). The Culloden Hotel is renowned as Northern Ireland’s most individual and distinguished 5-Star hotel. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Holywood Hills and overlooking Belfast Lough, the Culloden evokes all that is best in traditional style and hospitality. Originally built as a bishop’s palace and now reappointed as a luxury hotel, it offers the ambience of a gracious home with many period features including fine antique furniture, valuable paintings and Louis XV chandeliers. The recently developed Tower Suites in the original building provide four additional suites with panoramic views across Lady Jane Gardens to Belfast Lough. Residents enjoy all the facilities of the exclusive Elysium Health & Fitness Club. Sailing enthusiasts will find plenty of sport on Belfast Lough and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is next door.
The mighty stronghold of Carrickfergus is a remarkably complete and well-preserved early medieval castle that has survived intact despite 750 years of continuous military occupation.