For a trip in 2026 initial enquiries began in earnest in late 2025 as it became clear that 2025 timesheets at the major courses were already full. This has happened every year since 2022 and is a direct result of post-pandemic demand when 2022 timesheets were filled with 2020 postponements forcing new eqnuiries to be planned in late 2021 for 2023.
It may return to a more normal plan from September-December of the prior year at some point but with The Open in 2025 and Ryder Cup in 2027 this is unlikely.
Use our website forms, phone numbers or email addresses to get in touch. From there we can answer questions, help plan itineraries and eventually begin to start making tee-times, booking accommodation and organising transport.
You can have as much or as little information as you like. Even if you just have an urge to come and golf in Ireland but don't know when to come or where to play let us know. If you already know dates, group and courses to play set then just tell us and we'll provide a suggested itinerary & quote.
The main elements of any concrete golf itinerary are dates, numbers (of both golfers and non-golfers) and a list of courses to play. Other decisions need to be made around standard of accommodation, mode of transport etc. but we can start with these.
Early April to mid-October is the generally accepted as the golf season in Ireland especially for visitors. Year-round play is possible on all links courses (though many adopt a lift from the fairway policy), but the bigger courses now restrict visitors to Mid-April to early October.
As explained next it is impossible to predict the weather in Ireland with any great certainty. The summer months of June, July and August are theoretically the best months to play and also provide long hours of daylight. However, May & September are the peak golfing months (when college students are still at school).
April and October are less busy months but also have less daylight and are more susceptible to inclement weather. Very few golf clubs still offer reduced rates in these 'shoulder' months although accommodation & car hire costs are generally less than the peak season months.
April, especially the start of the month, is probably less preferable than October as the length and severity of winter conditions dictates course conditions. An April golf tour does however provides one of the more memorable lessons learned over the past 20 years!
Ireland's famous weather is impossible to predict and nearly as impossible to describe! The reason for "The Emerald Isle" is the rainfall that keeps the many pastures green. There is simply no answer to the question 'What is the best time of year to play golf?' when asked in the context of weather. It could be any of the months from April to October and in any particular year any or all of these months could be fine and dry.
General Climate
The Atlantic Ocean is the dominant influence on Ireland's climate and moderates the weather. Hence Ireland neither experiences extreme cold in winter or extreme heat in summer. Southwesterly winds from the Atlantic prevail.
Rainfall
The general impression that it rains quite a lot in Ireland is actually false! Two out of every three hourly measurements at the many measuring stations in Ireland will record no measurable rainfall. When rain does fall the amounts are generally very low ranging from 1-2 mm. per hour. Heavier rainfall does occur and hourly amounts of 10mm are not uncommon. As can be seen from the rainfall chart (courtesy of Met Eireann, the Irish meteorological service) the highest rainfall is in the southwest, west and northwest regions.
Met Eireann Forecast (most days)
“Generally cloudy but dry, with some spells of sunshine. Winds variable with some stronger gusts, particularly along the coast. There will be some scattered showers but a chance of more prolonged and heavier rain in places” (my emphasis because they never say exactly what places!)
Famous Irish Weather Quotes
'I remember last summer...it was on a Tuesday'
'In Ireland if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes'
‘In Killarney, if you can see the mountains there’s rain coming’
Our famous golf map and our golf guide section should be the first port of call. If you have the time and ambition the top 30 or so links course can be played over 5 trips with a specific region each trip.
It is a journey of exactly 1,000 miles (1,620 km) to circumnavigate the coast from Waterville in the southwest to The European Club south of Dublin. And that’s omitting the links at Rosslare which adds another 60 miles.
The most popular links courses are geographically spread – Ballybunion to Lahinch to Royal Portrush to Royal County Down to Portmarnock is 500 miles and that does not include the journey to Ballybunion. For a one time bucket list trip it is manageable – but enjoyable?
So we suggest picking a region or two and focussing on those. In general we plan itineraries where a long journey is made on arrival day and then the trip works back towards departure point.
See Also
Arrival/Departure Options