Paul McGinley’s Top 10 Irish Golf Courses

The land of over 400 golf courses, Ireland may be small but it takes its golf very seriously. With a third of the world’s natural links courses, and many exceptional championship courses, it draws almost a quarter of a million golfers annually to experience its fabulous fairways and glorious greens. Irish professional golfer, Paul McGinley shares his top ten...

Ireland is home to some of the world’s best golfers, including Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington, and Irish professional golfer Paul McGinley has been a European Tour player for over 25 years, winning several tournaments and being a former top 20 ranked player in the world. A true team player, he won the World Cup for Ireland with Padraig Harrington in 1997 and has represented Europe in competition on 14 occasions as a player, Vice-Captain and Captain, losing only once.

European Captain of the victorious 2014 Ryder Cup team over America at Gleneagles in Scotland, he shares ten of his favourite Irish golf courses with Dream Escape for a truly memorable round or two.

1. County Clare

County Clare on the Wild Atlantic Way is custodian of many world-class golf courses, including Dromoland Castle and Doonbeg. However it’s Lahinch Golf Course that excites Paul the most: "Its beauty, the green complexes amongst the dunes, the run-off areas, the bunkering.” Described as Ireland’s St Andrews, it is here that Paul hosted the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2019. “Lahinch holds a special place in my heart because when we played the Irish Open here, we closed down the town so that we could have a real hooley (party). It was such a brilliant week, with the whole community involved.”

2. County Down

With Holywood Golf Club the proud home of Rory McIlroy, Royal County Down one of the world’s most beautiful natural links and the Royal Belfast Golf Club the oldest club on the island of Ireland, County Down is a rewarding destination for golfers. Paul’s favourite course here is Ardglass. “It’s a real, raw links course with views of the original Coney Island made famous by Van Morrison. There's nothing I like more than having a sundowner from the amazing clubhouse which dates back to 1405.”

Royal County Down Northern Ireland

3. County Antrim

It’s easy to be seduced by the beautiful parkland course of Malone Golf Club and the magnificent views in all directions from the links course of Royal Portrush, but Paul suggests missing out on Ballycastle in County Antrim at your peril. “Here you get two superb courses for the price of one: a parkland course, and a links course on the Causeway Coast with fantastic views, including locations made famous in Game of Thrones.”

4. County Donegal

The golf links capital of Ireland, with five of the country’s finest Championship courses, Donegal offers an extra special golfing experience. The views from Cruit Island Golf Club are thrilling, but it’s Rosapenna Golf Resort, home to two championship links courses, that is most special to Paul. “I grew up caddying for my dad on this course. It’s here that he taught me all of the golf etiquette and all that is magic about this game. And now, many years later, I've just hosted a senior event, The Irish Legends Tour, at this special course.”

5. County Cork

Cork’s great golf resorts include Fota Island on its own private island in Cork Harbour and Castlemartyr in East Cork. But its most scenic course is perched on a dramatic headland that extends for two miles into the Atlantic Ocean on Ireland’s southwest coast. A short drive from Cork city yet a world apart, the Old Head of Kinsale is home to the eponymous and spectacular Old Head Golf Links. “This is a truly magical place. No one cares how well you play here as no one's watching the golf. They're looking at the views! With three lighthouses, including the current one, built in 1853 and visible behind the 18th tee, you get a real sense of place playing this remarkable location.”

Old Head of Kinsale

6. County Limerick

Masterfully designed within the estate of one of Europe’s most spectacular manor house hotels, The Golf Course at Adare Manor is Ireland’s very own Augusta. Parkland perfection, it’s a course that Paul admires and loves to play. “Owner JP McManus has done an incredible job here, having had the course redesigned to world-class standards. It’s gearing up to host the centennial Ryder Cup in 2027, and will undoubtedly go on to host many other major events.”

7. County Kildare

With rolling plains, yet close to the capital, Kildare is an idyllic county for a great selection of parkland golf challenges. Luxury resort Carton House in Maynooth offers two contrasting courses in its leafy 1,100 acre private country estate. A short drive away sits the K Club, another illustrious five-star property resort with two world-class courses. Designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, the challenging Palmer North course was the backdrop to Europe’s memorable Ryder Cup win in 2006, a highlight of Paul’s career. “The K Club has a very special place in my heart because I was part of the Ryder Cup team that beat the USA here. The course holds so many great memories. What a week we had!”

K Club Palmer North course

8. County Kerry

Wild and vast, Kerry is home to some of Ireland's most memorable scenery, from misty mountain peaks to sweeping strands and patchwork farmland to pristine lakes. Its spectacular scenery is matched by its impressive golf courses, which include a world-class selection of championship links and parkland courses. Ballybunion, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, may be the best known but Paul is also a fan of Waterville and Killarney. “Waterville is definitely one of the most beautiful courses but there’s something extra special about Killarney in Killarney National Park. I play golf all over the world, but if I want to find a place to relax and just enjoy the environment then Killarney is the place to go. I love the sheer serenity of this place compared to when you play on the windswept links.”

9. County Dublin

Spoilt for choice in Dublin, the capital offers dozens of eclectic courses, such as picturesque Portmarnock, a celebrated links course on a curve of coast north of the city. “Portmarnock is a fantastic golf course that most people talk about,” Paul admits, “But Luttrellstown has a special place in my heart and my life because, just like David Beckham, I got married there. In fact, I got married there first!” Set within 567 acres of private parkland, the championship course is fringed by 15th-century Luttrellstown Castle, a magnificently restored property offered for hire on an exclusive basis.

10. County Mayo

Paul loves the challenge of a links course along the Wild Atlantic Way, with the winds whipping and the Atlantic swell crashing against the shore in the background. Enniscrone in County Sligo is a standout, and a short drive from the county border of Mayo, where Carne Golf Links is a golfer’s paradise. “You don't come to Ireland for the weather,” laughs Paul. “You come for adventure, and the craic (fun). And if you venture as far as the West Coast, the Wild Atlantic Way, you'll find some cracking courses, not least Carne. I played it for the first time last year and it took my breath away, literally. It’s a feast for the eyes and a true test for your golf swing.” ⬥

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Alasdair Wells, Travel Design Manager “As well as managing all your golfing needs, Dream Escape will always ensure the non golfer companions are taken care of, with exclusive visits to local attractions, ranging from private food tours and whiskey tastings, to guided walks, immersive experiences and special Irish evenings.” ⬥ alasdair@dreamescape.co.uk

WORDS | JILLIAN BOLGER