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At Golf International, we create unforgettable golf trips and tours packages designed for travelers who want more than a round of golf. Our carefully planned itineraries combine legendary championship courses with authentic Irish culture, comfortable accommodations, and seamless travel planning. Whether you are visiting from New York City or exploring from Scotland, Portugal, Spain, or St Andrews, we make every journey smooth, enjoyable, and tailored to your expectations. We finalize every detail so you can confidently book golf trips and tours, knowing your vacation has been professionally organized from start to finish.
There are those who say God created Ireland just for golfers. Whether you believe it or not, the numbers are hard to argue with. Ireland — the Republic and Northern Ireland combined — is home to a quarter of the world’s natural links courses. Nowhere else on earth concentrates this much elite golf in such a compact, navigable space.
Unlike Scotland, where the great courses are spread across hundreds of miles, Ireland’s finest are clustered along dramatic Atlantic and Irish Sea coastlines. A well-designed Ireland golf package can deliver five or six world-ranked courses in seven days, each one distinct in character, each one set against scenery that stops you mid-backswing.
Since 1988, Golf International has been building custom Ireland golf trip packages for American golfers who take their game seriously. We cover the full island — the Southwest Kerry circuit, the West Coast, Dublin and the East, Donegal in the far Northwest, and Northern Ireland’s Royal duo. Tell us your courses and we will handle everything else.
Golf International offers access to more than 30 courses across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Here are the ones every serious golfer needs to know.
Tom Watson called Ballybunion the greatest course he had ever seen. Ranked among the top 10 courses in the world by Golfweek, the Old Course sits on the edge of the Atlantic in County Kerry, where the dunes rise to 60 feet and every hole plays differently depending on the wind. This is links golf at its most elemental and its most beautiful.
Golf International pairs Ballybunion with nearby Lahinch, Waterville, and Tralee to create the definitive Southwest Ireland golf circuit — arguably the most satisfying week of golf available anywhere in the world.
Ranked No. 1 in the world by Golfweek and a perennial top-5 finisher across every major ranking, Royal County Down at Newcastle is, for many golfers, the pinnacle. Blind shots over heather-covered dunes, jagged mountain peaks rising behind the greens, the Irish Sea shimmering in the distance. It has never hosted The Open Championship — only because the logistics make it nearly impossible — but that exclusivity makes playing it feel even more special.
We pair Royal County Down with Royal Portrush and Portstewart for the definitive Northern Ireland golf itinerary.
Host of The Open Championship in 2019 — the first time in 68 years — Royal Portrush is Northern Ireland’s most famous course and one of the most spectacular links experiences in golf. The Dunluce Course hugs the clifftops of the Causeway Coast, with the ruins of Dunluce Castle visible in the distance and the sea crashing below. Golf International can arrange guaranteed tee times at Royal Portrush as part of a bespoke Northern Ireland package.
Founded in 1894, Lahinch is the oldest and most storied links in the Southwest. Redesigned by Alister MacKenzie — the architect behind Augusta National — it has been ranked as high as 4th in the world by Golfweek. Like St Andrews, Lahinch is a golf town in the truest sense: the entire village revolves around the course. The goats on the property, famously used as a weather barometer, have been a fixture for generations.
Set on the Ring of Kerry, Waterville Golf Links was Payne Stewart’s beloved retreat — he visited every year and the club erected a statue in his memory following his death in 1999. Ranked 7th in the world by Golfweek, Waterville plays along the Inny Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean with mountain views inland. It is demanding, beautiful, and completely unlike anywhere else you will ever play.

Old Head, near Kinsale in County Cork, is the most dramatically situated golf course in Ireland. Built on a 220-acre headland jutting into the Atlantic, with sheer 300-foot cliffs on three sides, it is golf on a stage unlike any other. Six of the holes play along cliff edges where an errant shot disappears into the sea. Ranked 6th in the world by Golfweek.
Founded in 1894, Portmarnock is one of Ireland’s most revered championship courses and a perennial host of the Irish Open. Located on a sliver of peninsula north of Dublin, it offers the full classic links experience — wind, firm turf, and no trees — within easy reach of the city. Ranked 8th in the world by Golfweek. Ideal for clients who want to extend a Dublin city break with elite links golf.
Pat Ruddy’s masterpiece in Brittas Bay, County Wicklow, opened in 1992 and has quickly earned its place among Ireland’s elite. One of the few privately owned championship links in Ireland, it plays along a full mile of Atlantic coast and is widely regarded as the finest links built in Ireland in the 20th century. Ranked 10th in the world by Golfweek.
Set on the Clare coast along the Wild Atlantic Way, Doonbeg is one of Ireland’s most prestigious golf resorts. Greg Norman’s layout weaves through a protected dune system with views that rival anything in Irish golf. The five-star lodge makes it a natural centerpiece for clients who want to combine elite golf with genuine luxury accommodation.
Every Golf International Ireland itinerary is designed from scratch around your courses, your schedule, and your group. There is no shelf package. When you call our New York office, you speak directly with a golfer who has played these fairways and knows exactly what makes a Southwest Kerry circuit different from a Northern Ireland Royal tour.
We handle:
The Southwest Kerry circuit (Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville, Tralee) is our most popular Ireland itinerary. The Northern Ireland Royal double (Royal County Down + Royal Portrush) is the fastest-growing. Many clients combine both into a 10–14 day full-island tour.
Click on the course name in the list below for Irish course details and suggested itineraries:
An Irish golf vacation offers an experience unlike any other destination. Our Ireland golf tours and trips packages bring together world-famous links courses, breathtaking scenery, and the warm hospitality that Ireland is known for.
Every itinerary is thoughtfully arranged so you can focus on enjoying each course while we handle the details. Our golf vacation packages balance premium golf with memorable sightseeing, giving every traveler a complete Irish experience.
Ireland is playable year-round, but the best conditions run May through September. June and July offer the longest daylight hours — up to 17 hours of light in midsummer, meaning it is perfectly feasible to play 36 holes in a day. September is a favorite of experienced Ireland visitors: quieter, still dry, and with the golden light of early autumn on the links.
Tell us which courses are on your bucket list and we will design the rest. Whether it is a week on the Kerry coast or a two-week full-island tour from Waterville to Royal County Down, Golf International will build an itinerary you will be talking about for years.
Our recommended courses on the Emerald Isle include both the Republic of Ireland and the tiny British territory of Northern Ireland where excellent golf reigns supreme. The 11 courses marked with a flag – 6 in the South/Southwest plus Dublin area’s European Club, and Portmarnock Championship Course and 3 in Northern Ireland – denote those selected for Golf Digest’s prestigious 2020 listing of The World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.
What makes Ireland one of the world’s top golf destinations?
Ireland is renowned for its historic links courses, dramatic coastal landscapes, welcoming hospitality, and centuries of golfing tradition.
What is included in your Ireland Golf Packages?
Packages typically include accommodations, tee times, transportation arrangements, and customized sightseeing options.
Can Golf Tours in Ireland be customized?
Yes. We personalize every itinerary based on your preferred courses, travel dates, and interests.
Can non-golfers join Ireland Golf Tours?
Absolutely. Non-golfing guests can enjoy sightseeing, cultural attractions, shopping, dining, and scenic excursions.
Is Ireland suitable for first-time golf travelers?
Yes. Ireland offers exceptional experiences for both first-time visitors and experienced golf travelers.
What should I pack for golfing in Ireland?
Bring layered clothing, waterproof outerwear, comfortable golf shoes, and weather-appropriate accessories.
Are Ireland golf vacations suitable for all skill levels?
Yes. Ireland offers courses that accommodate beginners through highly experienced golfers.
Can couples enjoy an Ireland golf vacation together?
Yes. Couples can combine outstanding golf with romantic scenery, luxury accommodations, and cultural experiences.
What is links golf, and why is Ireland famous for it?
Links golf is played on natural coastal terrain featuring rolling fairways, firm conditions, and sea breezes. Ireland is home to many of the world’s finest links courses.
Why should golfers book an Ireland golf tour with Golf International?
Our expertise, personalized planning, trusted partnerships, and attention to detail help travelers confidently Book Golf Packages that deliver exceptional golfing and travel experiences.
At Golf International, we are committed to creating exceptional golf vacations that combine championship golf, authentic Irish culture, and stress-free travel planning. Contact our team today and let us design your next unforgettable golfing adventure.