North Ireland Golf Vacations

Northern Ireland has its golfing gems with Royal County Down, Royal Portrush and Portstewart standing out from the crowd, the last two perched on Ireland's north coast.

Ballyliffin Old Golf Club - North Ireland
If You Want Traditional and Full of Character, Ballyliffin Must Be on Your List

Ballyliffen Golf Club, only 40 minutes from Londonderry in Northern Ireland, was established in 1947 and is often called 'the Ballybunion of the North.'

These are the most northerly golf courses in Ireland, situated in a sparsely-populated part of the country, but not terribly difficult to reach, and certainly worth the effort. The Magilligan-to-Greencastle ferry makes a day-trip from the Portrush area very do-able.

The club originally had a nine-hole course, but due to lease problems, they needed to find a new place for the golf course. They secured new land and chose Eddie Hackett to design the first nine holes of the Old Course in 1970.  Hackett, Bord Failte, and two Englishmen, Lawrie and Pennick, are credited with laying out the next nine holes, which were completed in 1973. In the last few years, Nick Faldo has done some design work on the old links course.

The Old Course is a traditional links course. Not long ago, it was considered a hidden gem, but word of its charm quickly spread, and the Old Course became a must-play among serious golfers.

The rising, falling, and twisting fairways combined with towering sand dunes and a stunning ocean view help give this links course a time-honored charm. The par-3 fifth hole is famous for its obscured green that sits between two large sand hills. Ballyliffen's Old Course is traditional and full of character; it is a course all golfers must play at least once.

The Glashedy Course, also part of Ballyliffen Golf Club, was designed in 1995 by Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock. Their instructions were to build a supreme championship course, and they succeeded.

This links course is punishing, and golfers need be at the top of their game to play at handicap.  The holes are intertwined with the Old Course and natural dunes.

Although the greens are large, they are well-protected by bunkers.  For example, the seventh hole is played from the top of a sand dune and golfers must strive to reach the green by avoiding bunkers on three sides and a lake on the fourth.

Unlike the Old Course, the Glashedy offers flat fairways. Many feel that major championships at this course are only a matter of time. The newer Glashedy Course is considered superior to the Old Course, but each has its own advantages. The 7,226-yard Glashedy has hosted the North West of Ireland Open and many expect it will also host an Irish Open Championship in the near future.

Call IGT to book your golfing vacation package to the Ballyliffin Old Golf Club, North Ireland, today.

Portstewart Golf Club - North Ireland
Three Courses Providing History, Variety And A World-Class Links Golf Experience

Portstewart is a world-class links golf course located in LondonDerry, on the north coast of Ireland.

Although the Portstewart Golf Club was not created until 1894, many have played golf in the area that is now called the Old Course since 1889. Today, the club offers 54 holes of golf over three courses.

The Old Course offers 18 holes with stunning panoramic views of the coastline. Golfers can feel the history of the land and enjoy a stimulating game of golf on this course.

The Riverside Course is a less challenging course that has been popular with socialites. This 18-hole course runs along the River Bann and contains extensive bunkers and an impressive water feature. This course is based on the old back nine and presents an impressive inland character.

The Strand Course was opened in 1992 and is considered The Jewel of Portstewart s crown. The 18 championship holes are placed in classic links country with towering sand dunes and views of the blue Donegal hills, the Atlantic, and the beautiful River Bann.

This links course is considered one of the finest in Ireland and is a true test of golf.
Portstewart held a qualifying round of The Open in 1951, hosted the Irish Amateur Close Championship in 1992, and has hosted several Irish Professional and Irish Amateur events. The front nine here offers some of the finest links in Irish golf as well as some of the most spectacular views.

Near Castlerock, the view from the 1st tee across three miles of beach to the hills of Inishowen is worth the trip alone.

Call IGT to book your golfing vacation package to the Portstewart Golf Club, North Ireland, today.


Royal County Down Golf Club - North Ireland
Play The Course That Consistently Tops The 'Must-Play' Lists in Ireland


The Royal County Down, founded in 1889, follows the curve of Newcastle Bay in the shadow of the Mountains of Mourne, is considered one the most beautiful golf courses in the world, by professional and amateur golfers alike.

Tom Watson once said the front nine was the best nine holes he has ever played.

Originally created by Old Tom Morris, the course had some changes made in 1920 by George Combe, a former Irish Army Caption. Combe is credited with enhancing the course to make it the magnificent course we see today. Both Morris and Combe somehow designed holes out of a rough, sandy area and they never interfered with what nature had already created.

While the layout and surrounding beauty is breathtaking, there are tough obstacles such as heather, gorse, whin bushes and sea grass so tall you'll be praying you can find any ball that strays into it. The layout of this course is not traditional. There are two different loops of nine holes and each loop provides different scenery and challenges.

Most first timers are taken back by the beauty of the course, but quickly realize that a true challenge is hidden within that beauty.

Herbert Warren Wind stated, "It was, in fact, the sternest examination in golf I had ever taken." Royal County Down is consistently ranked among the 10 best golf courses in the world, and a trip to the course is one no golfer will ever regret.

Call IGT to book your golfing vacation package to the Royal County Down Golf Club, North Ireland today.


Royal Portrush Golf Club North Ireland

The only course outside Scotland or England to host the Open Championship, Royal Portrush is a marvellous test of golf, with superb views to Dunluce Castle and, beyond, towards the Western Isles of Scotland.

It is a thinking man's course with huge marsh grasses lining the fairways.

The Skerries are offshore and the 5th green is perched high above the Atlantic. Again, a course not to be missed.

Call IGT to book your golfing vacation package to the Royal Portrush golf club, North Ireland today.