Ireland · Course Ranking
Birdied's best golf courses in Ireland are Ballybunion, Portmarnock, Lahinch, Waterville, Tralee, County Sligo, The Island and Carne - the Republic only, since Northern Ireland's courses sit on the United Kingdom list, not this one. We chose what is here; the order moves with the ratings members leave once they have played them. Irish links golf is played through the sandhills rather than along the shore. You hit into a gap in the dunes and walk up to find out what happened. More than one course here has a blind shot somebody has to tell you about the first time, and no yardage book fixes that. Kerry alone carries three of these. The rest work north up the western seaboard through Clare, Mayo and Sligo, with two more on the coast north of Dublin.
Kerry, hard against the Atlantic, and the one most Irish trips get planned around.
North of Dublin, close enough to the airport that it can be the round you land for.
Clare, with a blind shot somebody has to tell you about the first time.
The far south-west of Kerry, out at the end of the peninsula, and worth the drive.
The third of the Kerry three, and the one that makes the county worth a week rather than a weekend.
Sligo, at the northern end of the western seaboard run.
Donabate, the second of the two north of Dublin, and an easy pairing with Portmarnock.
Belmullet in Mayo, remote enough that nobody arrives here by accident.
Every course here is chosen by Birdied's founder. The numbered order is that shortlist.
Every course on this list is chosen by Birdied's founder. The numbered order is that shortlist.
This list covers the Republic of Ireland only; Northern Ireland's courses are ranked on Birdied's United Kingdom list.