South West Ireland Golf Trips

Home to Ireland’s Finest Links

Golf in South West Ireland is a bucket-list experience for golfers seeking classic links golf in breath-taking coastal settings.  

This is the home of Ireland’s most revered links courses – windswept, dramatic, and truly unforgettable. With the wild Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop, you’ll play golf the way it was meant to be: raw, pure, and full of character.

Ballybunion Golf Club is one of the finest links in the world, offering a pure and true test of links golf carved through towering dunes. Waterville Golf Links is another must-play, set along the rugged coastline its fairways flanked by ocean on one side and mountains on the other. At Tralee, Arnold Palmer’s masterpiece, you’ll encounter one of the most spectacularly beautiful golf courses you will ever encounter with spectacular sea views on every hole.

Beyond the fairways, South West Ireland offers an incredible cultural and hospitality experience. Stay in charming Irish towns like Killarney or Lahinch, enjoy fresh seafood and traditional pubs and music, and explore the stunning scenery of the Wild Atlantic Way. Whether you’re playing legendary links or soaking in the rich Irish atmosphere, a golf trip to South West Ireland promises an unforgettable adventure.

South West Ireland Sample Golf Trips

South west ireland
Northern Ireland & South West Ireland
North West Ireland & South West Ireland

Golf Courses in South West Ireland

Map of Southwest Ireland golf Region

Adare Manor

Adare Manor is a premier golfing destination renowned for its world-class facilities and picturesque setting. This exclusive course only allows visitor play to guests of the hotel, which happens to be one of the most luxurious in Ireland. The state-of-the-art facility is set to host the 2027 Ryder Cup.

Ballybunion Golf Club

Ballybunion Golf Club is renowned for its two exceptional courses—The Old Course and The Cashen Course. The Old Course, often regarded as one of the finest links courses in the world, has hosted several prestigious events. The Cashen Course offers a challenging links experience with dramatic dunes, undulating fairways, and stunning ocean views.

Cork Golf Club

Cork Golf Club, established in 1888, is one of Ireland’s oldest and most esteemed golf clubs. The club's current course, redesigned in 1925 by renowned architect Alister MacKenzie—famous for Augusta National—features his signature undulating greens and strategic bunkering and uniquely offers a heath-like playing surface reminiscent of links courses.

Dingle Golf Links

Dingle Golf Links, known in Irish as Ceann Sibéal, is Europe’s westernmost golf course. Established in 1924, the club relocated to its current Ballyferriter site in 1972, it features naturally undulating fairways, fescue greens, and a meandering stream that comes into play on 13 holes, offering a challenging yet enjoyable links experience.

Dooks Golf Club

Dooks Golf Club, nestled on the edge of Dingle Bay in County Kerry, is one of Ireland’s most charming and characterful links courses. Established in 1889, it is one of the country’s oldest golf clubs, offering an experience rich in tradition and authenticity. But what truly sets Dooks apart is its intimate connection to the surrounding environment.

Killarney Golf Club

Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, established in 1893, is one of Ireland’s most historic and scenic golfing venues. Located within Killarney National Park, the club offers breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. It boasts two 18-hole championship courses—Killeen and Mahony’s Point—as well as a 9-hole course, Lackabane.

Lahinch Golf Club

Nestled along Ireland's rugged west coast in County Clare, Lahinch Golf Club is a golfer's paradise renowned for its classic links-style courses and rich history. Established in 1892, the club boasts two primary courses: the Old Course and the Castle Course. The Old Course features undulating fairways and towering sand dunes.

Old Head Golf Links

Old Head Golf Links, located on a stunning peninsula in County Cork, is one of the world’s most breath-taking golf courses. Famous for its dramatic cliffs and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, this links-style course offers a challenging yet unforgettable golfing experience, and is also known for being one of the best maintained golf courses in Ireland.

Tralee Golf Club

Tralee Golf Links is one of the country’s most celebrated golf courses, known for its stunning scenery and challenging design. Designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, the course blends traditional links style with a modern twist, creating a truly memorable golfing experience with breath-taking views of the Slieve Mish Mountains and the Dingle Peninsula.

Trump International Golf Club - Doonbeg

Trump International Golf Club at Doonbeg offers a golf experience that stands out due to its distinct design features and unique coastal location. The course, designed by Greg Norman, incorporates the natural terrain, blending into the undulating dunes and rugged coastline of Doonbeg Bay, with one of its most unique features is its use of the land’s topography.

Waterville Golf Links

Waterville Golf Club, is one of the country’s most famous and scenic golf courses. A true gem in the world of golf, the course is known for its beautiful, rugged landscape and its challenging design, offering a mix of traditional links and modern course features. Set along the Atlantic Ocean, Waterville boasts stunning views of the mountains and coastline.

Golf Accommodation in South West Ireland

The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa

The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa is a stylish and elegant 4-star hotel located in the heart of Killarney, right next to the stunning Killarney National Park. It’s the perfect mix of comfort, luxury, and convenience, and includes a luxurious spa, which includes a thermal suite, sauna, and an indoor heated pool.
★★★★

The Killarney Park Hotel

The Killarney Park Hotel, a distinguished five-star establishment, is a family-owned hotel offering guests a harmonious blend of luxury and warmth. Not only are you just a short walk from Killarney's famous pubs, you’re a stone's throw away from the expansive 25,000-acre Killarney National Park.
★★★★★

The Europe Hotel & Resort

The Europe Hotel & Resort is a five-star luxury retreat set against the backdrop of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountains and adjacent to Killarney National Park, the resort offers breathtaking views and a tranquil atmosphere. The resort features 180 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, and an expansive spa.
★★★★★

Trump International Hotel Doonbeg

Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg offers a luxurious retreat that seamlessly blends Irish charm with modern sophistication. The resort's accommodations include a selection of suites and cottages, with fully equipped kitchens, living spaces, and contemporary amenities to provide a home-away-from-home experience.
★★★★★

South West Ireland Attractions and Sightseeing

Ross Castle

Dingle Peninsula

Dingle Distillery

Transport links and climate in South West Ireland

Southwest Ireland is well-connected by road, rail, and air. Shannon and Kerry Airports offer regional and some international flights, while Cork Airport is a key hub for European connections. Scenic drives link popular towns like Killarney, Dingle, and Kenmare, and train and bus services connect major towns and cities, though a car is recommended for exploring rural areas and golf courses.

Southwest Ireland enjoys relatively mild temperatures year-round. Summers (June to August) are generally pleasant, with average highs between 15°C and 20°C (59°F to 68°F) and long daylight hours—ideal for golf and outdoor activities. Spring and autumn bring cooler, changeable weather with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F), while winters (December to February) are typically mild and wet, averaging 3°C to 8°C (37°F to 46°F), with frost more common than snow.

Rainfall is frequent and well-distributed throughout the year, so layered, waterproof clothing is essential, even in summer. Coastal areas often experience strong breezes that can make conditions feel cooler, especially on exposed golf courses.

county kerry killarney rain temperature chart

Ready to start your golf adventure of a lifetime?