Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen)

Our initial Island of Ireland Ranking debuts with 25 spots. We've combined Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland into a single comprehensive ranking, we're also introducing regional lists for each of the four provinces: Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster. With a combined Republic and Northern Ireland ranking, the Island of Ireland is a legitimate contender with England and Wales for one of the best golfing destinations on the planet. Why a Combined Ireland Ranking? Previously, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland had separate rankings. However, as our editor Jasper Miners explained on the latest Top 100 Clubhouse podcast: "There’s such outstanding golf across the whole island of Ireland, it made sense to create a unified ranking without politics getting in the way. We borrowed the idea from rugby’s provincial divisions—it's neutral, familiar, and lets us highlight the unique strengths of each region." Why the Rankings Have Changed This year, our ranking process evolved with updated evaluation criteria and fresh perspectives from several new panellists. The biggest impact? Traditional, authentic links courses have moved upward, reflecting a stronger emphasis on the core golfing experience rather than luxurious amenities. Jasper adds: "We've really focused on the golf itself. Courses that offer genuine links experiences—fun, strategic, and authentic—have moved up significantly, while lavish resorts, though still great places to visit, might have moved down a bit." Notable Movers in the Rankings Several courses have made noticeable jumps thanks to recent improvements and renewed recognition: Rosapenna’s Old Tom Morris: Gaining traction for its classic charm, enjoyable play, and thoughtful enhancements. Royal Dublin – Has benefited greatly from recent investments in course conditioning, including significant bunker renovations. Ballybunion (Cashen Course) – Continues to enhance its appeal with ongoing upgrades, and is making strides towards greater recognition. Small Budgets, Big Results Interestingly, budget size has not been the deciding factor in this year’s rankings. Instead, courses that deliver memorable, engaging golf—regardless of scale or financial backing—have gained ground: "Some of Ireland’s most enjoyable golf courses operate on surprisingly modest budgets," Jasper notes. "It’s about great design, charm, and strategic interest, not necessarily length or luxury." Final Thoughts from Top100’s Editor Jasper Miners sums it up best: "Rankings will always spark debate, but our aim remains clear—to showcase the best golfing experiences Ireland has to offer. If a course moved down, it doesn't mean it isn't great; it simply means others aligned better with our current criteria." Island of Ireland Ranking - 1 to 6 Royal County Down, Royal Portrush Dunluce, Ballybunion Old, Lahinch, Rosapenna St Patrick's, and Portmarnock complete the contributions from the island to the World Top 100 Rankings. Island of Ireland Ranking - 7 to 21 The best of the rest, almost half of the courses are found in the top 50 of the GB&I Top 100. Overwhelmingly links, Adare Manor breaks the mould as the top parkland entry. Island of Ireland Takeaways Near the bottom of the GB&I Top 100 lie Ballyliffin Old, Donegal, and Cork. All contenders for inclusion in that ranking, the Top 25 in the Island of Ireland Ranking, are almost as deep as any other GB&I Ranking. See also our news release and provincial rankings of Connacht, Munster, Ulster, and Leinster.

Munster is where the golf pilgrimage begins. Ireland's southernmost province spans six counties from the wild Atlantic cliffs of Kerry and Clare through to the parkland grandeur of Limerick and the sheltered harbours of Cork. Munster contains a concentration of world-class golf courses that rivals almost anywhere on the planet. Two courses here regularly appear in the World Top 100 rankings. The 2027 Ryder Cup is also coming to Adare Manor. Add in the Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry, and Killarney National Park mean non-golfing partners are never short of things to do. 🎯 Seven must-play courses within a few hours of Shannon Airport, with some solid options as B sides 🌊 Links, clifftop and parkland golf - a diverse itinerary 🏌️ The 2027 Ryder Cup will put Munster on the global stage ☀️ Year-round playability thanks to the mild Gulf Stream climate 🍺 Unmatched scenery, warm Irish hospitality and outstanding post-round pub culture Munster's Championship Courses 🥇 All seven courses are visitor-friendly, though planning of six to twelve months is essential for peak season. Green fees below are approximate peak-season figures. 1. Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course) — County Kerry 🌊 Ballybunion Old Course is the defining Irish links experience. Tom Watson visited in 1981 and declared it the best course in the world — and the reputation has never dimmed. The first six holes are entertaining, but from the 7th tee above the Atlantic shore, the course reveals its full ferocity: towering dunes, fairways carved from cliff-edge land and demanding elevated greens perch in precarious positions. 📅 Visitor access: Weekdays only, April–October. Book 12 months ahead for summer. 2. Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course) — County Clare 🏌️ Lahinch Golf Club is Ireland's most beloved tournament links — Irish Open host in 2019, Walker Cup venue in 2026. Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris in 1892 and redesigned by Alister MacKenzie in 1927, it is rugged, quirky and endlessly entertaining. The blind par-3 Dell (5th) and eccentric Klondyke par-5 (4th) are original Old Tom holes left untouched since the 19th century. MacKenzie's triple-tiered greens, restored by Martin Hawtree in 1999, demand precision and reward intelligent play. The village of Lahinch is a delight — one main street of bars, restaurants and surf shops buzzing with golfing energy. 📅 Avoid: Last week of July (South of Ireland Championship — very busy) 3. Trump International Golf Links — Doonbeg, County Clare Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg is the only course in Ireland whose designer said he was the luckiest man alive just to receive the commission. Greg Norman made 23 visits before laying a single fairway, and the result is a links where 14 greens and 12 fairways were simply mown from the natural dunes — minimal earthmoving, maximum nature. The 1.5-mile crescent of Doughmore Bay curves around the entire layout, with Atlantic views from 16 of 18 holes. Originally opened in 2002 and refined by Martin Hawtree after Trump's acquisition in 2014, Doonbeg has been elevated firmly into the top tier of Irish links golf. The routing is delightfully unusual — five par-3s and five par-5s on a par-72 — giving the round a rhythm unlike any of its neighbours. The par-3 14th, just 111 yards playing toward a green wrapped by duneland and sea, is one of the most dramatic short holes in Ireland. The DP World Tour has confirmed Doonbeg will host the 2026 Irish Open. The five-star resort makes Doonbeg the most complete stay-and-play destination in Munster. Twilight rates offer genuine savings in the shoulder season. 🏨 Stay & Play: The on-site resort is one of the finest in Ireland 4. Waterville Golf Links — County Kerry 🏔️ Waterville Golf Links occupies a spectacular promontory on the Ring of Kerry, surrounded by water on three sides. Payne Stewart, honoured with a bronze statue at the 18th, called it home in his heart — and many share his view that it has the best back nine in Ireland. The course plays at over 7,300 yards from the championship tees, with raised undulating greens that demand precise approach play. The drive to Waterville along the Ring of Kerry is an event in itself. Budget the full day for this one — the scenery demands stops. 📅 Best combined with: Ring of Kerry scenic drive — do the full loop 5. Tralee Golf Club — County Kerry 🌅 Tralee Golf Club was Arnold Palmer's only Irish design, and he was characteristically frank: "I designed the first nine, but surely God designed the back nine." The back nine climbs into the high dunes with sweeping views of the Dingle Peninsula and the Atlantic. The club offers one of the most genuinely warm welcomes in Kerry, and the scoring opportunity on the front nine makes the back nine drama feel all the more earned. 🏆 Don't miss: The 14th tee view — arguably the finest panorama in Irish links golf 6. Old Head Golf Links — County Cork 🤩 Old Head is not a traditional links — it is a clifftop course unlike anything else on earth. Built on a 200-acre peninsula near Kinsale with 100-metre cliffs dropping to the Celtic Sea on all sides, it has been called one of the most spectacular golf courses in the world. It may not be one of the very best golf courses in the world, but it may be one of the very best places in the world to play golf. A caddie is mandatory. 📅 Book: 6–12 months in advance — visitor numbers are deliberately limited 🌙 Worth knowing: Overnight accommodation in the lighthouse keeper's cottage is a once-in-a-lifetime sleep-where-you-played experience 7. The Golf Course at Adare Manor — County Limerick 🏰 Adare Manor Golf Club is Munster's world-class parkland alternative to the coastal links. Redesigned by Tom Fazio and reopened in 2018 within 800 acres of formal gardens alongside the River Maigue, it will host the 2027 Ryder Cup. The bent grass greens are famously immaculate; the riverside holes in the final third of the round are genuinely dramatic. Shannon Airport is just 25 minutes away — making Adare a logical first or last stop on any Munster trip. The manor house hotel is one of the finest in Europe. 📅 Closed: Mondays (excluding bank holidays). Reserved for resort guests and hotel residents. Factor in the cost to stay in with the green fee… Hidden Gems Worth the Detour 💎 Not every great Munster course costs the equivalent of a short-haul flight. These four are amongst our favourites. If you can’t get on one or two of the big 7 above, these will more than make up for it! Dooks Golf Club — County Kerry Dooks Golf Club is one of the best-kept secrets in Irish golf and has become a cult favourite. Established in 1889 on the shores of Dingle Bay, it offers panoramic views of the Reeks and the Dingle mountains from almost every hole. Barely 6,500 yards, but the natural terrain stretches every club in the bag. A rare Natterjack Toad population lives in the dunes — and yes, they feature on the club crest. 🐸 📍 Location: 35 minutes west of Killarney on the Iveragh Peninsula Cork Golf Club — Little Island Cork Golf Club is an Alister MacKenzie gem that deserves far more attention. Redesigned in 1925 and built on a peninsula in Cork Harbour, it is one of only a handful of MacKenzie courses in Ireland. The heathland-style turf, strategic bunkering and undulating greens are immediately recognisable to anyone familiar with the MacKenzie signature. Ceann Sibéal (Dingle Golf Links) — County Kerry As the westernmost golf course in Europe, Ceann Sibéal occupies a position entirely its own. Set on the Dingle Peninsula with the Blasket Islands visible from several tees, a meandering stream comes into play on 13 of 18 holes, and the fescue greens reward the ground game. The town of Dingle — pubs, seafood restaurants and warm chaos — is 8km away and makes a memorable overnight base. Killarney Golf & Fishing Club — County Kerry For golfers who want a day off from links golf (or travelling with non-golfers), Killarney's championship Killeen Course offers parkland golf set within the National Park beside Lough Leane is a six-times Irish Open host with Carrauntoohil rising dramatically behind the treeline. Getting There and Getting About ✈️🚗 Airports: Shannon is the primary gateway — 25 min from Adare, 90 min from Killarney and Ballybunion. Cork Airport (90 min from Killarney, 20 min from Kinsale) is ideal for itineraries ending at Old Head. Kerry Airport handles limited routes from Dublin and Frankfurt. Driving: A hire car is essential — there is no practical public transport between courses. Weather: Frequent wind and unpredictable rain. Waterproofs are non-negotiable. The peak season runs from April through October. Ferry: The Tarbert–Killimer car ferry crosses the Shannon Estuary in 20 minutes, saving 85km of driving between Lahinch and Kerry. Most GPS systems miss it, and if timed right, it can save you up to 45 minutes or more. Where to Stay 🏨 Killarney is the most popular base — within range of Tralee, Waterville, Dooks and Ballybunion. Ballybunion itself is worth one night for the Old Course. Guesthouses here cater specifically for golfers, and the atmosphere is terrific. Lahinch is ideal for those prioritising the Old Course. Kinsale is the natural base for Old Head, and one of the finest towns in Munster — beautiful harbour, excellent restaurants, and a relaxed atmosphere that invites longer stays. Booking Strategy 📅 Book early. For peak summer months (June–August) at Ballybunion, Lahinch and Old Head, a twelve-month lead time is realistic. May and October offer substantially better availability at lower green fees and are consistently some of the best months for a Munster golf trip. Beyond Golf 🗺️ Ring of Kerry — the scenic coastal road around the Iveragh Peninsula is among the most beautiful drives in Europe. Drive anti-clockwise to avoid tour buses. Skellig Islands — UNESCO World Heritage Site off the Waterville coast. 6th-century monastic settlement on Skellig Michael; accessible by boat in calm weather. Iconic. Cliffs of Moher — 8km from Lahinch. Visit in the evening when the tour buses have gone. Killarney National Park — cycling, boat trips on Lough Leane, jaunting car rides through the Gap of Dunloe, hiking to Torc Waterfall. Dingle Peninsula — arguably more beautiful than the Ring of Kerry and far less visited. The Slea Head Drive is exceptional. Cork City — Ireland's second city, two hours south of Killarney. The 18th-century English Market is unmissable. Insider Tips From Those Who Know Munster Golf 🎯 🗺️ Plan the routing honestly. Lahinch to Waterville is 2 hrs 45 min; Ballybunion to Old Head is 3+ hours. Six great rounds with proper logistics beat nine rushed ones. ⏰ Book early morning tee times. After American tour groups arrive, the pace can slow… 🚶 Always walk. Every serious Munster golf links is a walking course. Waterproof trousers and broken-in waterproof shoes are essential. ⛴️ Take the Tarbert–Killimer ferry. 20 minutes across the Shannon Estuary saves 85km of driving. Plan Your Munster Golf Trip 📋 Plan carefully, book early, take a caddie, walk every step, and arrive without fixed ideas about scoring — and Munster will give you a golf trip you return to in memory for years. 🍀

Ireland holds roughly a quarter of all natural links courses in the world, and the quality runs astonishingly deep. From the towering dunes of Donegal to the Atlantic-battered coastline of County Kerry, the island offers a concentration of world-class golf that rivals anywhere on the planet. Six Irish courses currently sit in the World Top 100, and more than twenty contend for places in the GB&I Top 100 — a depth bettered only by England and Scotland. See the Island of Ireland Ranking See the Republic of Ireland Ranking See the Northern Ireland Ranking Top 100 Golf Courses has ranked Ireland's golf courses biennially since 2006, tracking two decades of evolution across the Republic's twenty-six counties and, separately, Northern Ireland's six. That ongoing process has charted the rise of new architectural masterpieces, multi-million euro renovations, and the enduring dominance of courses that have occupied the summit since rankings began. 2026 Republic of Ireland Update Ballybunion Old, Lahinch Old, Rosapenna St Patrick's Links and Portmarnock all hold their positions, reinforcing two decades of consistency at the summit. Four Republic of Ireland courses sit in the World Top 100, and sixteen feature in the GB&I Top 100 — a depth that underlines the country's status as one of the premier golf destinations on the planet. Brittas Bay Club (formerly The European Club) has been removed while its comprehensive Kyle Phillips redesign takes shape ahead of a planned 2027 reopening. Curracloe Links, a potential future game-changer for the Republic, is also flagged as one to watch but remains outside the current rankings. ⬆️ The Rising Stars Portsalon is the headline climber. Situated on a remote stretch of County Donegal coastline, Portsalon's rise further strengthens the county's extraordinary concentration of quality, with five Donegal courses now in the Republic's top twenty-five. Ballyliffin Old continues to gain recognition and climbs to seventeenth. The K Club Palmer North also rises. Carne, Tralee, Enniscrone, Narin & Portnoo, Rosapenna Old Tom Morris and Galway Bay all rise - in part due to The European Club being removed. ⬇️ Notable Adjustments Adare Manor slips three places to fourteen — a reflection of the updated criteria's emphasis on the golf itself rather than resort polish, though the Tom Fazio redesign remains Ireland's premier parkland course and 2027 Ryder Cup venue. Old Head drops four to 21, while Cork eases two places to twenty-four. 🏆 Irish Rankings - A Historical Glance The Unchanging Summit Ballybunion Old has held the number one position in the Republic of Ireland rankings since the inaugural 2006 edition — an unbroken twenty-year reign. Largely anonymous until Tom Simpson and Molly Gourlay's 1930s intervention, the course gained worldwide prominence after Tom Watson's famous visit in 1981. A major greens replacement project by Atlantic Golf Construction, overseen by architect Graeme Webster, has only strengthened its standing. Lahinch Old, Waterville, The European Club and Portmarnock have been near-permanent fixtures in the upper reaches. For fourteen consecutive years, gaining entry to the top five was, as our 2020 article noted, "a very tough nut to crack." ⬆️ The Course That Broke Through That changed dramatically in 2022 when Rosapenna St Patrick's Links crashed into the rankings at number three — the highest new entry in the history of our Ireland listings. Designed by Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design with lead associate Eric Everson, Clyde Johnson and Angela Moser, the course was built on 300 acres of spectacular Donegal dunescape previously occupied by two mediocre layouts. Opened in 2021, it immediately rewrote the top-five hierarchy. 🌍 Ireland's World-Class Depth The island's representation at the highest levels of world golf is remarkable. Six courses — Royal County Down, Royal Portrush Dunluce, Ballybunion Old, Lahinch, Rosapenna St Patrick's and Portmarnock — all feature in the World Top 100. The overwhelming character is links golf. Ireland's Atlantic-facing coastlines provide the ideal combination of sandy soil, undulating terrain and prevailing wind that defines the links game at its purest. Adare Manor breaks the mould as the top-ranked parkland entry, demonstrating that world-class inland golf also has its place on the island. County Kerry and County Donegal dominate the upper reaches of the rankings, but quality is genuinely distributed. Dublin's links courses — Portmarnock, The Island, Royal Dublin, and County Louth — provide accessible world-class golf close to the capital. The west coast, from County Sligo to Enniscrone to Carne, offers some of the most naturally dramatic links terrain anywhere. And the hidden gems — Cruit Island, Dunfanaghy, Strandhill — continue to climb as more golfers discover their charms. What the Rankings Tell Us Consistency at the Summit Ballybunion Old's twenty-year hold on the top position is extraordinary by any measure. The same small group of courses — Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville, Portmarnock, The European Club — have anchored the top tier since 2006, with only Rosapenna St Patrick's managing to break the stranglehold. This stability reflects the enduring quality of Ireland's classic links designs, many of which trace their architectural lineage through Tom Simpson, Alister MacKenzie, Old Tom Morris and Harry Colt. The Donegal Renaissance County Donegal has emerged as perhaps the most exciting golfing region in Ireland. The arrival of Rosapenna St Patrick's transformed the county's reputation, but the story is broader. Narin & Portnoo's Hanse-Wagner reimagination, the steady rise of Rosapenna's Old Tom Morris course, the cult appeal of Cruit Island, and the rediscovery of Dunfanaghy have collectively established Donegal as a destination to rival Kerry and Clare. Architecture Driving Change The biggest ranking movements have consistently been driven by architectural intervention. Tom Fazio's work at Adare Manor, Tom Doak's creation at St Patrick's Links, Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner's remodelling at Narin & Portnoo, and Mackenzie & Ebert's master plan at The Island all demonstrate that thoughtful design investment — whether building new or reimagining existing layouts — is the most reliable path to ranking advancement. The Authentic Links Resurgence Shorter, quirkier courses with genuine strategic interest have gained ground, while lavish resort courses, though still excellent places to visit, have seen their rankings adjust. As the new criteria emphasises, budget size has not been the deciding factor, but rather memorable, engaging golf is what matters. 📅 A Decade of Growth: 2010–2025 2010: Your Top 100 — The People's Rankings The 2010 "Your Top 100 Golf Courses in Ireland" was a distinctive edition — a crowd-sourced ranking based entirely on player review ratings rather than the dedicated panellist approach used in other years. Published alongside companion lists for Scotland, England and Wales, it was part of a wider "Your Britain & Ireland Top 100" exercise that number-crunched thousands of golf ball ratings submitted by the Top100 community. The European Club, Tralee, Ballybunion Old and Rosapenna Sandy Hills all featured prominently in the combined GB&I list. 2012: The Republic's Own Top 100 The dedicated Republic of Ireland Top 100 was updated with Ballybunion Old maintaining its familiar position at the summit, continuing the dominance established in 2006. The established order remained largely intact, with the same core group of links courses holding the upper tier. 2014: Stability and Steady Progress The 2014 update continued the biennial cycle with Ballybunion Old once again unchallenged at number one. The top five remained the same handful of courses that had occupied those positions since the rankings began, reinforcing the extraordinary consistency at the summit of Irish golf. 2018: The Seventh Biennial Revision The 2018 edition brought seven new entries into the Top 100. Notably, Adare Manor was absent from the table, its course closed and under complete reconstruction as the Tom Fazio redesign took shape. 2020: Adare Manor Returns and Seven Newcomers The headline story was unmistakable: Adare Manor's re-emergence at number fourteen following its multi-million euro Tom Fazio transformation. The old Robert Trent Jones Sr. course had been entirely replaced, with Atlantic Golf Construction installing new drainage, new greens and sand-capped fairways to create what is now one of the best-maintained courses in all of Ireland. The Ryder Cup 2027 announcement added further lustre. Seven new entries in total, with Hogs Head the highest newcomer at thirty-four Luttrellstown Castle climbed eight places to forty-eight, entering the national top fifty for the first time Cruit Island surged fifteen places to sixty-five, gaining cult status among visiting golfers Royal Dublin rose four places to twenty-three, with Clayton, DeVries & Pont appointed for a bunker renovation 2022: Rosapenna St Patrick's Crashes the Top Five The ninth biennial revision produced the most dramatic shake-up in the rankings' history. Tom Doak's Rosapenna St Patrick's Links entered at number three — the first course to crack the established top-five fortress since rankings began. Narin & Portnoo climbed ten places to eighteen after its Hanse-Wagner reimagination. Further down, Cruit Island continued its rise (up twelve to fifty-three), Dunfanaghy surged twenty-six places to seventy-four, and Woodenbridge climbed twelve to seventy-one. 2025: New Criteria, New Philosophy The most recent update applied revised evaluation criteria that emphasised authentic golfing experiences over resort polish. Fifteen courses moved up five or more places. Traditional links courses rose sharply; parkland resort courses adjusted downward. Rosapenna Old Tom Morris broke into the top thirty, Royal Dublin into the top twenty, and the rankings signalled a clear direction: exciting, strategic golf — regardless of budget or amenities — is what defines Ireland's best. 🔭 Looking Ahead The comprehensive 2026 GB&I ranking overhaul, currently underway, will reassess every course across Britain and Ireland under updated criteria. The Ireland results are expected later this spring and will provide the most thorough evaluation yet of the island's golfing credentials. Several developments are worth watching. Brittas Bay Club — the Kyle Phillips redesign of Pat Ruddy's European Club — is set to reopen in 2027 with improved playability, expanded sea views and restored native ecosystems. The continued maturation of Rosapenna St Patrick's Links is widely regarded as still having significant upside. And with the Ryder Cup arriving at Adare Manor in 2027, the spotlight on Irish golf has never been brighter. Ballybunion Cashen continues enhancement work, and Rosapenna's Old Tom Morris course is gaining traction with every season. The depth of talent across Ireland's 400+ golf courses means the competition for ranking places will only intensify.