NORTHERN IRELAND
Irish golf is famous throughout the world but the two highest ranked courses - Royal County Down and Royal Portrush - lie in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, but travel between it and the Republic of Ireland is seamless. So, is it very easy to add a Northern Irish component onto a trip to the rest of Ireland. It takes about 2 hours to drive from Dublin to Royal County Down and then it’s a further hour from there to Belfast.
Belfast is a vibrant city and the scenery at the Giant’s Causeway to the west is spectacular and well worth a visit.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
Northern Ireland doesn’t have the quantity of golf the Republic has, but it more than makes up for that with quality. Royal County Down (ranked number 6 in the world) is one of the best courses in the world and Royal Portrush (ranked 15) gives it a run for its money. Portstewart and Castlerock are other links highlights on the north coast.
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Royal County Down
GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 6
OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 5
GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 2In the shadow of the beautiful Mountains of Mourne, this rugged links plays out over large dunes covered in heather and long sea grasses to fairways (many completely blind from the tee) that rise and fall like the sea itself. Many consider the front nine to be the best opening side in all of golf. County Down is a unique experience in the world of golf. It doesn’t “feel” like any other course. It truly is like something from a dream.
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Royal Portrush
GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 15
OUTPOST CLUB WORLD RANKING - 19
GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 5At the 2019 Open Championship, the world got to see what many already knew: Portrush is a special place, combining otherworldly views with spectacular, strategic golf. With fairways nestled between large dunes and greens that blend perfectly into their surrounds, Portrush is understated in its presentation - as if the land had always been a golf course. Portrush manages to walk the fine line of being able to challenge the very best golfers yet still remain playable and fun for the rest of us.
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Portstewart
GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 73
GOLF WORLD (UK) MAGAZINE GB & I - RANKING - 99Portstewart is close to Royal Portrush and makes a great companion course to play when in the area. The course is set in huge and spectacular dunes. It would be safe to say that the front nine is the star of this course, where the land is the most dramatic. But that’s not to take away from the course as a whole. 18 holes at Portstewart is definitely something that visitors to the area should take the time to experience.
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Lough Erne
GOLF WORLD (UK) IRELAND RANKING - 21
Lough Erne may not have the links credentials of the other Northern Irish courses on this list but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stop here. The course moves from forest to more open terrain, moving through Loughs Erne and Castlehulme. Amazing views, and very pleasant golf.
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Castlerock
GOLF WORLD (UK) IRELAND RANKING - 22
Castlerock Golf Club is another links golf course that you should find time to play on a visit to Northern Ireland. The Mussenden course has many of the characteristics you would find on a classic links course - blind shots, dunes, a railway and burn. A real sleeper course as it’s unheralded but those who have played it all tell others to make the trip!
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Ardglass
GOLF WORLD (UK) IRELAND RANKING - 36
The first seven holes at Ardglass were laid out in 1896 and this course has a wonderful setting perched on cliffs overlooking the Irish Sea. The course has a mixture of links and meadow holes. Make sure you take some time to explore the clubhouse - in a 14th century castle!
WHERE TO STAY
Given the geographical spread of courses, you will probably choose to have a couple of bases on your trip. The Slieve Donard hotel sits just behind Royal County Down making it an excellent base. Belfast itself has a good variety of hotels for every budget. As you head west to the Portrush area, there are good options such as Galgorm and the Bushmills Inn. We will ensure you have the perfect accommodation to get the most of your trip to Northern Ireland.
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Slieve Donard
Nestled at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne, the Slieve Donard luxury resort stands among six acres of private grounds in Newcastle, Co Down. It’s perfectly positioned for a visit to Royal County Down.
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Bushmills Inn
Set against the backdrop of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, The Bushmills Inn is a luxury boutique hotel where the welcome is warm and the fire always lit. Great location for Portrush and Portstewart.
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Galgorm Resort
Northern Ireland’s premier luxury hotel and spa is set within 380 acres of lush parkland with the spectacular River Maine flowing through the estate. A good stop between Belfast and Portrush.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 1
We will meet you at Belfast airport and transfer you to your hire car or private vehicle with driver.
Your first round will be at Castlerock, about an hour’s drive from the airport. This will be the perfect introduction to links golf and help you get used to some of the shots you will be using over the rest of the week! After the round, make the short drive to The Bushmills Inn which will be your base for the next three nights
DAY 2
After breakfast you will make the 20 minute drive to Portstewart for another day of classic links golf. After the round we can arrange a VIP tour of the Bushmills distillery if you want to taste some of the finest Irish whiskey.
DAY 3
Today you will play one of the world’s greatest golf courses - Royal Portrush. Recent and future host to The Open, Royal Portrush is a wonderful test in dunes where strategic golf is called for to score well.
After the round take some time to explore the town of Portrush. Make sure you pay a visit to the Harbour Bar, packed with golf memorabilia, to enjoy a perfect pint of Guinness.
DAY 4
We can either organise another game of golf - maybe at the Valley Course at Portrush? - or this would be good day to explore the Giant’s Causeway, a world heritage site, with it’s spectacular rock formations and breathtaking scenery.
Tonight you head to the town of Newcastle, south of Belfast, and the Slieve Donard hotel. This luxury hotel is perfectly positioned, right between the town and Royal County Down golf course.
DAY 5
After breakfast head to the clifftop course at Ardglass, just to the north of Newcastle. Here you will play dramatic clifftop golf before enjoying a meal in the oldest clubhouse in the world, a 14th century castle!
DAY 6
Today you will play at a course often voted the best in the British Isles, or indeed anywhere outside the USA - Royal County Down. It is just a 2 minute walk from your hotel to the first tee for one of the truly special golfing experiences. The course is simply majestic, set among tumbling dunes, with all kinds of hazards to contend with. It’s a round that you will never forget.
Enjoy an after round drink in the fascinating clubhouse before a last meal back in the Slieve Donard.
DAY 7
Transfer back to the airport for the journey home, or you can extend your trip with a few days in another part of this great country.
This is just a sample itinerary. Please contact us now to start planning your trip of a lifetime!