Ireland has no shortage of headline golf courses, but some of the most rewarding rounds are the ones you might leave off your first itinerary. Dooks, The Island, Jameson Golf Links, Ballybunion’s Cashen Course and Tralee all deserve consideration when you are choosing where to play.
Some are already well known among links enthusiasts. Our focus here is on courses that can be overlooked when the better-known names dominate the planning, with advice on where to stay, visitor access and how to fit them into your golf break in Ireland.
What makes a golf course a hidden gem?
In our eyes, a hidden gem is a course that delivers an unforgettable golf experience through its setting, character and the enjoyment of the round. Value matters too, but it is about what the course adds to your trip. Several of these links command premium green fees, so this is a selection to explore beyond the obvious rather than a list of budget courses.
Choose your region first. The Island and Jameson Golf Links work well for a north Dublin break. Tralee, Dooks and Ballybunion Cashen belong in a Kerry itinerary. For a short stay, spending more time in one area will give you a better trip than trying to cover both.
Compare five Irish links worth adding to your shortlist
The driving times below are broad planning estimates in normal traffic, measured from the airport or town named. Allow extra time for collecting a hire car, checking in and warming up before your round.
| Course | Area and starting point | Approximate drive | Why consider it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tralee | County Kerry, from Tralee town | 20–30 minutes | Arnold Palmer’s coastal setting and a dramatic back nine through the dunes. |
| The Island | Donabate, from Dublin Airport | 15–25 minutes | Traditional links golf in a secluded setting close to Dublin. |
| Dooks | Glenbeigh, from Killarney | 35–45 minutes | Dingle Bay scenery and a distinctive round for a Kerry tour. |
| Jameson Golf Links | Portmarnock, from Dublin Airport | 15–25 minutes | Coastal links with a hotel on site for a stay-and-play break. |
| Ballybunion Cashen | County Kerry, from Tralee town | 30–40 minutes | A second course at Ballybunion with its own dune-filled landscape. |
Our selection of hidden gem golf courses in Ireland
Tralee Golf Club
Course character: Arnold Palmer-designed links on the coast near Ardfert.
Tralee is a course of two halves. The front nine is relatively flat, with elevated tees and spectacular views across the cliffs to Tralee Bay and beyond. The back nine plays up through the dunes and across ravines to plateau greens. Choose the right club and shot and it is hugely rewarding; get the decision wrong and the course can make you pay dearly.
It has too much of a reputation to be called undiscovered, but it remains a strong addition to a Kerry trip that might otherwise focus entirely on Ballybunion or Waterville.
Our view: Choose Tralee for the landscape and the contrast between its two nines. Budget for a premium round and plan around its selected weekday visitor slots. It is a walking course, with buggies restricted to medical use.
The Island Golf Club
Course character: A private members’ links at Donabate, established in 1890.
The Island has a long history of private club golf, but visitors can book a round. Its setting, bordered by sea on three sides, is a large part of the attraction: you can be close to Dublin Airport while feeling a considerable distance from the city.
It is highly recommended when you are touring Ireland’s east coast. Build a day around the round and give yourself time to enjoy the setting, rather than squeezing it into a tight airport transfer.
Our view: A compelling choice for golfers who want a traditional links day from a Dublin base. This is a premium option: the club’s published visitor fee for April–October 2027 is €375 per golfer, subject to availability and booking terms.
Dooks Golf Club
Course character: Historic links at Glenbeigh, shaped over time by Eddie Hackett and Martin Hawtree.
Dooks golf course first opened in 1889, making it one of Ireland’s oldest links. It occupies a panoramic corner of land at Dingle Bay, with views taking in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and the mountains of the Dingle Peninsula.
The appeal is in the combination of scenery and the decisions the links asks you to make. Accuracy and sensible club selection count for more than simply hitting the ball hard, particularly when the wind changes the way a hole plays.
Our view: Dooks deserves a place on a Kerry shortlist in its own right. Compare its seasonal green fee with your other rounds, and check visitor dates early: winter periods are reserved for members.
Jameson Golf Links at Portmarnock Resort
Course character: A resort links originally designed by Bernhard Langer with Stan Eby, subsequently remodelled and renamed.
Formerly Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links offers golf beside the Velvet Strand. It is a separate venue from Portmarnock Golf Club, so be clear which course you are booking.
The course makes full use of the natural terrain, incorporating dunes and gorse. Elevated tees give you a view of the holes ahead, while blind approaches, doglegs and the sea breeze keep you thinking. Remodelled greens and tees have refreshed the challenge while retaining its coastal character.
Our view: The most straightforward stay-and-play option in this selection. Compare the total hotel-and-golf package with separate bookings, as hotel resident green fees can differ from standard visitor rates.
Ballybunion Cashen Course
Course character: Coastal links originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior, with subsequent upgrade work.
Mention Ballybunion and most golfers immediately think of the Old Course. Alongside it, Cashen has its own appeal, with dunes, natural grasses and a landscape that gives the holes plenty of individual character.
It is the clearest example here of a course being overshadowed by its neighbour. Consider it as a planned part of your Kerry tour, allowing time to appreciate the second layout rather than treating it as a last-minute substitute.
Our view: Worth discussing when you enquire about Ballybunion. Cashen underwent upgrade work in 2026, so confirm the current course arrangements, visitor slots and Cashen-specific price for your dates. Do not assume availability or fees match those of the Old Course.
Green fees, visitor access and getting value from your trip
The biggest budgeting mistake is assuming that a less obvious course will have a low green fee. Tralee and The Island are premium links experiences. At Jameson, accommodation and resident golf rates can change the overall calculation; at Dooks and Cashen, your dates and the available visitor slots matter.
- Compare the full trip: include accommodation, golf, transport and any caddie or equipment hire you want.
- Secure the key rounds first: members’ clubs may offer limited visitor times, especially for a group needing consecutive tee times.
- Discuss walking and buggy requirements: availability and medical restrictions vary by course.
- Check the booking terms: green fees can require advance payment, and cancellation deadlines may be well before departure.
The Island fee above is a published standalone green fee, not a 360 Golf Holidays package price. Ask us to confirm the cost and inclusions for your travel dates before committing to an itinerary.
Two ways to build these courses into an Ireland golf holiday
These suggested routes show how the courses fit together geographically. Tee times, accommodation and pricing are arranged around your dates and group.
North Dublin: three nights and two links rounds
- Arrival day: travel to Dublin and settle into your hotel on the northern side of the city or coast.
- First golf day: play Jameson Golf Links, with the option to stay at Portmarnock Resort.
- Second golf day: play The Island, leaving time afterwards for a relaxed meal.
- Departure day: return to Dublin Airport with a comfortable travel buffer.
For a different mix of courses, our North Dublin Golf Tour combines Balbriggan, Corballis and St Margaret’s. Ask about tailoring a north Dublin trip with Jameson or The Island; these rounds are not automatically included in the advertised tour.
Kerry: four nights and three contrasting links rounds
- Arrival day: settle into a Kerry base, with Tralee convenient for the northern part of this route.
- First golf day: play Tralee and enjoy the change of character between its two nines.
- Second golf day: head to Dooks for a round overlooking Dingle Bay.
- Third golf day: play Ballybunion Cashen, subject to confirmed visitor availability.
- Departure day: allow time for your onward journey rather than relying on a rushed final round.
Choose the order around the available tee times. Our Killarney Golf Tour is another starting point for a Kerry holiday, with Dooks, Tralee and Cashen listed among the course options to discuss. Changing the golf or hotel base requires a tailored quote.
Hidden gem golf courses in Ireland: FAQs
Which courses work best for a short Dublin golf break?
The Island and Jameson Golf Links are both on the northern side of Dublin, with relatively short road journeys from Dublin Airport. Jameson also has a hotel on site. Choose a north Dublin or coastal base if these are your main rounds.
Are hidden gem golf courses in Ireland cheaper?
Not necessarily. A course can be overlooked on an itinerary while still charging a premium green fee. Compare the complete holiday cost and the experience each round adds. If budget is the priority, give us a target so we can suggest a suitable mix of courses.
Can visitors play these courses?
All five venues offer visitor golf, but access depends on dates, course arrangements and available tee times. Dooks has seasonal restrictions, Tralee has selected weekday visitor slots, and Cashen’s arrangements should be confirmed following its upgrade work. Establish access before booking the rest of your trip.
Should I combine Dublin and Kerry on a short break?
For a weekend or a few nights, choose one region. The journey between Dublin and Kerry takes several hours by road, which reduces the time available for golf. A longer holiday can accommodate both as a planned two-centre trip.
Find the right Irish courses for your group
Tell us your preferred region, dates, group size and budget, along with the courses you most want to play. We will help you compare the available golf and accommodation options and build a route that makes sense.
