Play the 5 oldest golf clubs in Ireland
Golf has a rich and colourful history in Ireland, dating back to the mid 1800s. Many of the oldest courses are still around today giving golfers an historical insight into the game. This itinerary introduces you to the 5 oldest clubs in Ireland over 5 incredible days.
You will be based in Dublin for 2 nights and Belfast for 2 nights to minimize travel and maximize the time to explore Ireland.
Day 1
Arrival in Dublin
Welcome to Dublin and an historic journey through Irelands oldest courses.
The five courses included in your package are the 5 oldest in Ireland and as you would expect each clubhouse is teaming with history. We recommend allowing enough time at each course to soak the history in.
After collecting your rental car at the airport make your way to The Royal Dublin Golf Club where we have booked you lunch before your early afternoon tee time.
This Google map provides a route map connecting all the courses you will playover the next 5 days.
Full size rental car (4 days)
1 Round at Royal Curragh Golf Club
Members of The Curragh Golf Club play their golf over the Oldest Golf Course in Ireland, dating from 1852, when a course was laid out “on the links near Donnelly’s Hollow” by David Ritchie, from Edinburgh. The Golf course is situated on the Curragh plains, an area of natural grassland and heath, which has existed as an uncultivated plain for over 2,000 years.
It is one of Ireland's outstanding and best-known landscapes and is the oldest and most extensive tract of semi-natural grassland in the country, with an ecosystem older than most woodlands and as old as the upper peat of the raised bogs.
The Merrion Hotel Dublin (2 nights)
Italian marble bathrooms, a restaurant with 2 Michelin stars, and an infinity pool are offered at this award-winning 5-star hotel. In Dublin’s centre, the Georgian building features beautiful landscaped gardens.
Situated within the Georgian house, this air-conditioned room offers impressive views of the government buildings or the Merrion's private landscaped gardens. It offers a king-size bed, 2 armchairs, and a marble bathroom. This room features WiFi, flat.screen TV, mini-bar and stereo system.
Day 2
Free time this afternoon
After playing the oldest club in Ireland this morning, spend some time this afternoon exploring Dublin. We can book you an afternoon walking tour or visit to a distillery if you wish.
1 Round at Royal Dublin Golf Club
Considered the third oldest club in Oreland, The Royal Dublin is unique in that it is only 3 miles from the centre of Dublin city. Founded in 1885 it was originally called the Dublin Golf Club and didnt recive its Royal designation until six years later.
Cross the famous wooden bridge from Clontarf to North Bull Island, and you enter a sandy island, just 5 kilometres long and 800 metres wide, with its beautiful beach – Dollymount Strand – and breath-taking views of Dublin Bay,
Day 3
Departure for Belfast
Today you journey North to Belfast/ We have booked an afternoon tee time at Royal Belfast and tonight you overnight in Belfast city.
1 Round at Royal Belfast Golf Club
In the Summer of 1881, Thomas Sinclair spent a holiday in Scotland, which included a visit to St. Andrews to play golf. He was immediately smitten and his return home he sought out, along with some friends, Captain John Harrison, the Laird of Holywood, who generously gave permission for a golf course to be laid out free of rent on his land at Kinnegar, Holywood.
These frontiersmen of golf wasted no time and the first 18-hole competition took place over the new 6-hole course on Boxing Day 1881.
Playing the second oldest course in Ireland will be a memory to never forget.
The Merchant Hotel (2 nights)
The Merchant Hotel in Belfast is situated in the heart of Belfast city centre’s historic Cathedral Quarter. The grandeur of the original Grade A listed building is complemented by an elegant Art Deco inspired wing with a multitude of exciting amenities.
With a mixture original Victorian bedrooms and Art Deco rooms added as part of a major redevelopment in 2010 the Merchant delivers opulence at every turn.
Day 4
1 Round at Royal Portrush Golf Club
Portrush was once a small fishing village which later became a busy seaside holiday resort before Royal Portrush Golf Club emerged as an international golf destination.
It is a club with a long and distinguished tradition with world class links which are set in spectacular rolling sand dunes with breath taking coastal views
Day 5
1 Round at Royal County Down
Royal County Down is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, the links stretches along the shores of Dundrum Bay, zigzagging back and forth to provide a different vista from virtually every hole.
Package includes:
- 4 nights accommodation including daily cooked Irish breakfast
- 5 Rounds of golf at courses listed
- 5 days rental car hire or upgrade to private guided transfers
Our local tour expert can replace and/or book additional transfers, restaurants and activities. Please add your suggestions to the contact form message space.
