Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are two of the finest golf courses on the planet. You might assume these storied links are out of reach, but, unlike many of the ultra-privates that dominate the World Top 20, both of these lauded clubs welcome visiting golfers.
Take this as your warning shot to fire up the group chat and lock in that bucket-list, cigar-story golf trip to Northern Ireland rather than putting it off for yet another year. If you’re reading this in March, you may already be behind. Many golfers underestimate just how fierce the demand is for tee times here. Bookings for 2027 open in early 2026 … and they’ll be gone on day one.
The classic travel routing is in and out of Dublin, with a perfect weeklong trip taking in three to four anchor courses, supported by a host of characterful links that will satisfy even the most obsessive itinerary builder.
Don’t sleep on former World Top 100 County Louth on your way north from the airport, and be sure to include Portstewart for a dune-scape that rivals anything on Ireland’s Atlantic coast.
After significant investment, the Valley Course at Portrush is now a must-play in its own right. Within a 30- to 45-minute drive, you’ll find outstanding “B-sides” such as Castlerock, while around County Down, the likes of Ardglass and the criminally overlooked Annesley Course are there for the taking.
The accommodation scene has also moved up a gear. Investment was long overdue, and the local hotels have responded. Add in lively pubs, whiskey distilleries and genuinely strong dining options and it’s no surprise that Northern Ireland has become the hottest trip in golf.
Don’t miss your window.
Discover Northern Ireland in 2027 and beyond with 8AM Travel. Contact discovery@8amtravel.com today.
