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.
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."
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."
Several courses have made noticeable jumps thanks to recent improvements and renewed recognition:
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."
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."
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.
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.
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.
