Northern Ireland Golf Travel Guide
Golf Courses
Royal Portrush and Royal County Down are the two courses most golfers want to play when they consider a trip to Ireland's northen region. In the northwest corner Royal Portrush is near neighbour to Portstewart and Castlerock. 2¼ hours away in the southeast corner are Royal County Down and Ardglass.
In between and along the coast there are few golf courses except for the hybrid links at Ballycastle and a clifftop course at Cairndhu. In between and clustered around Belfast are the fine parkland courses at Malone, Belvoir Park, Royal Belfast and Clandeboye.
The three main courses along the north coast of County Derry (although Portush is in County Antrim) are the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush (an Open rota course), Portstewart (host to the 2017 Irish Open won by John Rahm) and Castlerock. The Valley Links at Royal Portrush is also considered a testing links while golf of a more relaxed holiday style is available at Ballycastle. The two outstanding links courses at Ballyliffin are only 1½ hours west of Portrush/Portstewart.
2 hours north of Dublin, so sometimes included on an east coast swing, Royal County Down is a first class golf course rated by some as the best in thw world. 30 minutes east, with views of the Irish Sea from every hole, is Ardglass which can also boast the oldest clubhouse in the world.
Clustered around Belfast are some fine parkland courses including Malone, Belvoir Park, Royal Belfast and Clandeboye. 40 minutes north of Belfast is the headland course at Cairndhu
There are other parkland courses dotted around the region. Lough Erne is a resort course designed by Nick Faldo, located in the scenic lakeland county of Fermanagh, Concra Wood is a terrific Christy O'Connor Jnr. design in County Monaghan and Moyola Park is situated in magnificent parkland estate between Belfast and Derry. Also worth mentioning is the scenic Mahee Island 9-hole course on the eastern shores of Strangford Lough.
Towns & Villages
Portrush & Portstewart are adjacent towns and the obvious location for accommodation when playing the Causway Coast courses. Bushmills is 10 minutes east and home to both the distillery and the iconic Bushmills Inn. Newcastle is the accommodation town when playing Royal County Down and is home to the also iconic Slieve Donard Hotel. Belfast can be considered as a base for golf in Northern Ireland or to visit on down days.
North Coast
Portstewart and Portrush are both seaside resort towns and both offer a range of accommodation, however there are no 5***** properties in the area, although the Bushmills Inn in nearby Bushmills comes close.
Newcastle
Newcastle, Co. Down is also a seaside resort although the accommodation available is more limited than on the north coast.
Belfast
Belfast is 1¼ hours from Portrush and Portstewart and just over an hour to Ardglass and Newcastle. As such it is not discounted as an accommodation base for golf tours including the famous links.
Derry/Londonderry
Derry City is sometimes considered as an alternative to staying at both Ballyliffin/Culdaff and Portstewart/Portrush. Again the convenience of one accommodation is offset by the extra travel to and from the golf courses...
Sights & Attractions
The Causeway Coast is one of the most visited attraction in Ireland. From Portrush to Ballycastle the coastline is dramatic and the highlight is undoubtedly The Giant's Causeway. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is another popular attraction as indeed is the old Bushmills Distillery. The coastal route from Ballycastle to Larne is one of Ireland's most scenic while in Belfast itself the Titanic Centre is a must see attraction.
Belfast city is now a safe, modern and cosmopolitan city with a rich heritage. 'The Troubles' although over are not forgotten and poltical wall murals on either side of the divide are a popular excursion as is the Crumlin Road Gaol Experince. Belfast's botanic gardens are located near Queen's University.
The Mourne Mountains dominate the skyline at Newcastle and a trip up and into their heart to Silent Valley is recommended. Here the Mourne Wall protects the Belfast water supply and can be walked - it is a lonely and peaceful place. East of Newcastle and not far from Ardglass is the town of Downpatrick home to the only permanent museum honouring Ireland's patron saint. St. Patirck was reputed to have originally been held as a slave on the slopes of the Slemish Mountains (near Ballymena north of Belfast) and having returned to convert Ireland to Christianity is reputed to have died and been buried in the graveyard at Downpatrick Cathedral.
Access
Both Newcastle and Belfast are 2 hours from Dublin Airport. Belfast City Airport is an option for those routing through London Heathrow or hubs such as Amstersam or Paris. City of Derry Airport is also a possibilty from Heathrow and very convenient for both Portstewart/Portush and for Ballyliffin.
Belfast International Airport no longer has direct services from North America so North American golfers either land at Dublin Airport or transit through Heathrow to either Belfast City Airport or City of Derry Airport.