Golf Holidays in East Ireland
Golf in East Ireland offers one of the most convenient, varied and accessible golf holiday experiences anywhere in the country. Centred around Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Kildare, this region is home to superb championship parkland courses, dramatic coastal links, luxury resorts and excellent transport links — making it ideal for golfers who value quality golf with minimal travel time.
The area’s standout advantage is ease of access. Dublin Airport is Ireland’s busiest international gateway, placing you within 20–60 minutes of many of the region’s top courses and hotels. This makes East Ireland perfect for quick breaks, long weekends, corporate golf trips or extended itineraries. Once here, visitors can enjoy the best of both worlds: the excitement of Dublin city and the peaceful countryside settings of Wicklow and Kildare.
The region boasts a fantastic mix of world-renowned courses. Highlights include The K Club, host of the Ryder Cup and multiple Irish Opens, Portmarnock Golf Club, one of the greatest links courses in the world, The European Club in Wicklow, the beautifully conditioned Druids Glen, and championship layouts like Powerscourt, Carton House, and Royal Dublin. From rolling parkland fairways to wind-swept links along the Irish Sea, East Ireland caters to every golfer’s taste.
Accommodation options in the region are equally impressive. Choose from 5-star luxury at The K Club, boutique hotels in Wicklow and Kildare, stylish Dublin city stays, or elegant country estates with spa and dining options. Many golfers base themselves in or near Dublin for nightlife, restaurants and easy travel, while others prefer Wicklow’s quieter scenic beauty for a more relaxed experience.
What makes East Ireland especially appealing is its versatility. You can create a golf holiday focused entirely on championship-level courses, a mixed parkland-and-links itinerary, or a city-and-resort combination. Everything is close together, travel times are short, and the overall experience is seamless and highly enjoyable.
Whether you’re seeking a luxury golf getaway, a high-level championship links tour, or a flexible and convenient break, East Ireland offers one of the most complete golf holiday experiences in the country — with world-class golf right on Dublin’s doorstep.
Most Popular Golf Hotels In East Ireland
Top Golf Courses In East Ireland
East Ireland Travel Guide
East Ireland is one of the strongest golf regions in the country — home to iconic links, championship parklands, lively seaside towns and the easiest access points in Ireland via Dublin Airport. The coastline from Dublin down through Wicklow offers dramatic seaside golf, elegant resorts, and incredible travel convenience, making it perfect for short golf breaks, premium stay-and-play trips or full touring itineraries.
This region includes:
Dublin • Portmarnock • Malahide • Howth • Wicklow • Kildare • Kilkenny
It’s a clean stretch of world-class greens, scenic bays, cliffside views and elite golf hotels.
WHY GOLFERS LOVE EAST IRELAND
• Home to several Top-100 courses in the world
• Perfect for 3–6 night itineraries with minimal driving
• Direct flights to Dublin from nearly every major airport
• Combination of elite links + stunning parkland courses
• Exceptional nightlife in Dublin, Malahide, Howth & Bray
• Home to Ireland’s strongest hotel line-up
THE MUST-PLAY COURSES
1. Portmarnock Golf Club – Dublin Coast
A pure, natural links with immaculate conditioning and flawless design.
Why play it? Often ranked the best links near a capital city anywhere in the world.
2. The Island Golf Club – Donabate
Massive dunes and dramatic corridors — one of Ireland’s most exciting links layouts.
Why play it? Wild, scenic and unbelievably memorable.
3. Royal Dublin Golf Club – Bull Island
A championship links on a nature reserve, connected to the legendary Christy O’Connor Sr.
Why play it? Historic, strategic and beautifully routed.
4. County Louth (Baltray) – Drogheda
A truly satisfying links with wide fairways, rolling dunes and superb greens.
Why play it? One of Ireland’s most enjoyable championship courses.
5. Druids Glen – Wicklow
Known as the “Augusta of Ireland,” with colourful, water-lined holes and lush valleys.
Why play it? A must-play parkland with elite conditioning.
Golf travel tips for East Ireland
For the best golf holiday experience in East Ireland please do consider the following:
Daylight hours can vary considerably depending on the season, especially around the spring and autumn months. Morning or mid-morning tee times are recommended to ensure you enjoy the full course in good light, particularly on coastal links such as Portmarnock or Royal Dublin.
Dublin Airport is by far the most convenient entry point, offering fast, direct access to Dublin city, Kildare, Wicklow and surrounding areas. Transfer times are typically much shorter than in other regions of Ireland — often just 20–40 minutes depending on your hotel or course.
Stay-and-play packages at The K Club, Druids Glen or Carton House provide superb value, with premium facilities, spa options and dining all in one place. Dublin city hotels also work extremely well if you plan to mix golf with nightlife, restaurants or sightseeing.
Driving is easy and efficient in this region, thanks to modern motorways and short distances between major courses. Taxis or private transfers are a popular choice for city-based golfers, as routes between Dublin hotels and nearby courses are quick and cost-effective.
Top venues such as Portmarnock, The K Club, The European Club and Royal Dublin book out early, especially during summer and tournament periods. It’s strongly advised to check tee-time and hotel availability before booking flights to secure your preferred dates.
FAQ'S About East Ireland
East Ireland is home to some of the country’s most prestigious courses including Portmarnock Golf Club, The K Club, The European Club, Royal Dublin, Druids Glen, Carton House and Powerscourt. The region offers an excellent mix of championship links and parkland golf.
Dublin Airport is the main entry point and offers the easiest and fastest access to all major East Ireland golf courses. From the airport, travel times to most hotels and clubs are between 20 and 60 minutes.
The best conditions are typically from May to September when daylight is longest and both links and parkland courses are at their peak. Spring and early autumn also offer excellent playing conditions with slightly quieter tee sheets.