Set dramatically along the rugged Antrim coastline, Royal Portrush Golf Club is not only one of the most breathtaking links in the world, but also a cornerstone of any serious golf itinerary through Northern Ireland. With its world-renowned Dunluce Links, sweeping Atlantic views, and a legacy that spans more than a century, Royal Portrush is the only course on the island of Ireland to have hosted The Open Championship, and it continues to draw players and fans from across the globe.
Founded in 1888, Royal Portrush is steeped in history. Originally known as “The County Club”, it gained royal patronage in 1895 and has been revered ever since. Its championship course, the Dunluce Links, was masterfully redesigned in the 1930s by Harry Colt, whose routing remains largely intact today. More recently, the course underwent substantial renovations by Mackenzie & Ebert in preparation for The Open’s return in 2019, the first time the championship had been held in Northern Ireland since 1951.
Those changes included the creation of two new holes — the 7th and 8th — carved into dramatic dunes that had previously formed part of the neighboring Valley Links. These additions were widely praised for their natural fit and strategic brilliance, replacing what had been considered two of the weaker holes on the course. The 2019 Open, won by Ireland’s own Shane Lowry, was hailed as a triumph for Royal Portrush and for Northern Ireland golf more broadly.
The signature holes of the Dunluce Links are etched into golfing lore. The par-4 5th, “White Rocks,” is both stunning and treacherous, playing across a deep chasm to a green perched near the cliffs above the beach. But it’s the 16th hole, “Calamity Corner,” that truly tests nerve and skill: a long, uphill par-3 over a yawning ravine, with no safe bailout. It’s one of the most intimidating tee shots in championship golf.
Meanwhile, the Valley Links, traditionally the second course at Portrush, is undergoing its own moment in the spotlight. Also touched by Mackenzie & Ebert, it has seen a major renovation in 2024, further elevating it from a “hidden gem” into a world-class complement to its more famous sibling.
A golf trip to Northern Ireland
No golf trip to Northern Ireland would be complete without a tee time at Royal Portrush, but this is just a small part of the whole experience. Northern Ireland is blessed with many fantastic golf courses as well as some of the most interesting sightseeing destinations in Europe. Let me guide you through all aspects of a golf trip to Northern Ireland
The Golf.
Here’s a list of the courses I wouldn’t hesitate including in a golf trip to Northern Ireland. Too many to go into detail on every one, so I’ll just touch on a few notable courses, but I encourage you to do your own research into these if you plan on making the trip over! A good starting point would be the Northern Ireland destination page on my website. (link to Northern Ireland page on my website)
- Royal Portrush (Dunluce)
- Royal County Down
- Portstewart (Strand)
- Royal Portrush (Valley)
- Ardglass
- Castlerock
- Royal County Down (Annesley)
There’s also a bunch of courses in North West Ireland which are easily accessible from Northern Ireland and are generally easier to get tee times at. The locations of these courses are all very remote, its a truly rugged and wild experience. If you’re looking for a full week of golf, I’d recommend splitting your time between northern Ireland and NorthWest Ireland for a better mix of high quality golf.
- St Patricks Links (Rosapenna)
- Ballyliffin Glashedy
- Narin & Portnoo
- Portsalon
- Ballyliffin Old
- Sandy Hills (Rosapenna)
- Old Tom Morris Links (Rosapenna)
- Cruit Island.
Belfast is the closest international airport, but there’s a good chance you’ll be flying into Dublin if you’re visiting from the USA. If this is the case, there’s a few courses you might want to tag on to the front or back end of your trip. Here are my top 3.
- Portmarnock
- The Island
- County Louth
Most exclusive course
Royal County Down. Only a small number of tee times are reserved for visiting golfers, and these sell out almost immediately on the day the club opens their diary in March, for the following summer.
An interesting fact about this course is it has 14 blind shots, yet still ranked the #1 course in the world outside the USA. Go figure!
Best Championship layout
Royal Portrush. The course will test every part of your game, whilst providing a fair test with 90% of the course out in front of you to see. Good shots will be rewarded, and bad shots severely punished. Getting tee times here can be difficult, as they generally sell out immediately when the club opens their diary in March for the following summer. However, you can obtain members tee times if you rent the house by the 4th fairway called “The Rosses” for at least 2 nights.
Best Views
Narin & Portnoo. You’ll have to travel off the beaten path to get here, but with panoramic sea views and fairways that sweep through towering sand dunes, you’ll do well to find a golf course in a prettier setting.
Most quirky
Cruit Island. Arguably the best 9 hole course in the world. Consisting mainly of par 3’s, don’t be fooled by the short yardage on the scorecard. This course is packed with character with holes played over the edge of cliffs with greens perched on the top of ledges, surrounded by danger.
Biggest sand dunes
Portstewart (Strand). In my opinion the from 9 is the best 9 holes in the British Isles. Characterised by giant sand dunes which come into play on almost every hole, this course is pure theatre.
Interesting fact, they filmed some scenes for Game of Thrones on the Strand Beach which straddles the edge of the golf course, (Dorne, if you’ve watched GOT). . TOP TIP: visit “Harrys Shack” after your round, a restaurant located on Strand beach just yards from the golf course. Expect amazing views and seafood.
Perfect for a quick evening 9.
Portstewart (Old)
The Old Course at Portstewart is actually an 18 hole course, but we recommend just playing the 10 coastal holes and missing out the ones the other side of the road. The course is short, fun and benefits from spectacular coastal views on every hole. Finish off with a meal at Amicis, an Italian restaurant by the 18th green. No need to book a tee time here in advance, just check with the main office at the portstewart clubhouse and give £20 to the starter upon arrival.
Where to stay?
Most luxurious
Dunluce Lodge.
5* ultra luxury hotel consisting only of suites. Located on the 5th hole of Royal Portrush. Opened in 2024 so it’s brand new.
Best location
Portrush Adelphi
Recently purchased & renovated by the Marine & Lawn collection. Classic furnishings inspired by the golf course, walking distance to the famous “Harbour Bar” pub in Portrush.
Best hotel if you want to combine Northern Ireland and Northwest Ireland
Ebrington hotel in Derry
Derry is virtually equidistant from Portrush, Portstewart, Ballyliffin & all 3 courses at Rosapenna, making it a good spot if you want to combine Northern and NorthWest Ireland without moving hotels.
The Ebrington Hotel is newly refurbished in a historic landmark building which was originally used as Army barracks. Walking distance to Waterloo street which has around a dozen classic Irish pubs.
Best hotel if you’re playing Royal County Down
Slieve Donard
Historic 5* hotel, yards from the 1st tee of RCD. If you’re playing there, there’s only one place to stay.
Best Hotel for a night out
10square Belfast.
Reasonably priced 4* city centre (Belfast) hotel with comfortable & well furnished rooms, car parking close by and walking distance to Belfasts famous Cathedral Quarter. Here you’re equidistant from Portrush, Portstewart and Royal County Down which are all approximately an hours drive away.
Extra curricular activities
Old Bushmills distillery- oldest whisky distillery in Ireland
Dunluce Castle- Castle ruins close to Portrush (course named after the castle) with a very rich history. Great place to spend an hour.
Giants Causeway- UNESCO World heritage site – striking volcanic formation, but legend has it that an Irish giant named Finn McCool created the causeway to get across the Irish Sea to face his rival, the Scottish giant Benandonner. Its a fair 30 minute walk from the car park but it’s a beautiful and easy stroll.
Political Murals tour of Belfast in a black cab- An insightful journey into Belfasts recent history, focussing specifically on “The Troubles” and the IRA. If you don’t know much about Northern Irelands history, this is an absolute must.
Titanic Experience- The Titanic was built in Belfast, this visitor centre focusses on how Belfast became the hub for shipmaking in the late 19th century, how they built the titanic, who was on board, why it sunk and how they could have prevented the accident. Very good tourist attraction.
Cathedral quarter in Belfast. This is the best spot to go for drinks and a dance in Belfast- loads of great pubs with live music played all night. The best pubs are “The Duke of York” and “The Dirty Onion”. Expect a lively night out!
Portrush Harbour- Here you’ll find the famous Harbour Bar and half a dozen other pubs and restaurants all packed closely together- the only place to hang out if you’re staying in Portrush.
Waterloo Street, Derry- Street packed with classic Irish pubs with live music every night. Perfect for a pub crawl if you’re staying in Derry.
Game of Thrones filming locations. A lot of GOT was filmed in Northern Ireland, here are some of the famous filming locations. The Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle, Castle Ward, Portstewart Strand, Mourne Mountains.
Final thoughts
A golf trip to Northern Ireland is much more than checking a few world-class courses off your list—it’s a full-blown adventure that blends jaw-dropping landscapes, rich history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. From the dramatic dunes of Portstewart and the test of Royal Portrush to the charm of Cruit Island and the legends of Royal County Down, there’s no shortage of unforgettable golf.
But it’s everything around the golf that makes this trip feel so special. Sharing a whiskey at Bushmills, walking the cliffs above the Giant’s Causeway, or hearing traditional Irish music pour out of a Belfast pub—these are the moments that linger long after your clubs are packed away.
Whether you’re building a once-in-a-lifetime buddies trip or planning a return visit to chase a few more coastal gems, Northern Ireland delivers on every level. Great golf is guaranteed. And the stories you’ll leave with? Even better.
This article is courtesy of Jack Sallis from Halcyon Golf Travel