Golf Holidays in North East Ireland

Golf in North East Ireland offers a perfect blend of traditional links golf, dramatic coastline scenery and unbeatable convenience. Stretching across Louth, Meath and up the coast towards the Northern Ireland border, this region is home to several classic championship courses, charming seaside towns and some of the easiest travel connections in all of Ireland.

The biggest advantage of the North East region is accessibility — with both Belfast and Dublin Airports just 30–60 minutes away from most major courses, it is incredibly easy to fly in, collect your bags and be on the first tee in no time. This makes the area ideal for short breaks, long weekends and multi-course itineraries that don’t require long transfers or complex planning.

The headline golfing names include County Louth (Baltray) — regularly ranked among the world’s greatest links — and Seapoint Golf Links, host of the Irish PGA and Senior Tour events. Both courses offer pure, traditional links golf with fast-running fairways, natural dunes and sweeping views across the Irish Sea.

A little further north, Ardglass Golf Club delivers one of the most dramatic clifftop layouts in Ireland, famous for its castle clubhouse and unforgettable opening holes. Many golfers also pair the North East region with nearby Royal County Down, one of the most celebrated and visually striking courses in the world — often considered a bucket-list round.

In addition to the major names, the region features a variety of excellent member clubs and friendly local links such as Laytown & Bettystown, Bellewstown, and Greenore, offering charm, value and a warm welcome.

Accommodation options range from boutique hotels in Drogheda or Carlingford to luxurious estates and cosy coastal inns. Dublin city centre is also a highly popular base for golfers who want the best of both worlds: lively nightlife, great restaurants and quick access to the northern coastline. The combination of top links golf and Ireland’s capital city makes the North East an especially versatile and appealing region.

Whether you’re seeking a classic links tour, a convenient high-quality break close to Dublin, or a multi-region itinerary that includes Royal County Down, the North East delivers a memorable golf holiday with the perfect balance of golf, culture, scenery and convenience.

Golf travel tips for North East Ireland

For the best golf holiday experience in North East Ireland please do consider the following:

Daylight hours can be shorter during spring and autumn, especially on exposed links such as Baltray or Seapoint. Morning and mid-morning tee times are recommended to ensure you enjoy comfortable light conditions throughout your round.

Dublin Airport is the most convenient gateway, offering extremely quick access to all North East golf hubs including Drogheda, Bettystown and Carlingford. Transfer times here are much shorter than in the west or north of Ireland — often between 30 and 60 minutes door-to-door.

Stay-and-play packages at Seapoint or in the Drogheda/Carlingford area offer excellent value, while Dublin city hotels are ideal for golfers wanting nightlife and restaurants after a day on the links. Both styles work perfectly depending on whether you’re prioritising convenience or atmosphere.

Driving is easy in this region, with most routes linked by modern motorways and short travel times. For groups staying in Dublin, private transfers are a popular and cost-effective alternative, especially when combining courses along the northern coastline.

Top venues such as County Louth, Seapoint and Ardglass can book out early, particularly during summer, bank holiday weekends and major competitions. Before confirming flights, it is recommended to check tee-time and hotel availability to secure your preferred dates.