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Golf Trips / Portmarnock, Ireland / Planning Guide

Portmarnock Golf Trip Planning Guide

World-class links 15 minutes from Dublin Airport. Play the storied Portmarnock, the dune-framed Island, and Tom Simpson's County Louth at Baltray — then sink into Dublin's pubs at night. The easiest big-time links trip to reach from the US.

The Breakdown

Quick Facts

Best Time to Visit

Spring, Summer, Fall

Nearest Airport

DUB (15 min drive)

Green Fees

$162–$575

Lodging From

$170/night

Walkable Courses

5 of 5

Budget Est. (8 guys, 3 nights)

~$508/person

The Game Plan

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Here's a realistic 3-day itinerary for a group golf trip to Portmarnock. Every venue below is real and pulled from our curated database — no filler.

Day 1

Morning — Golf

Portmarnock Golf Club links, $515–$575

130-year-old links on a sandy peninsula — host of 19 Irish Opens and the 1991 Walker Cup

Dinner

Fish Shack Malahideseafood, $$$ · 4.4★

Fresh seafood in the heart of Malahide village — a reliable group dinner

After Dark

Gibney's of Malahidedive · Open late

Landmark multi-room Malahide local — craic, pints and fish and chips

Day 2

Morning — Golf

The Island Golf Club links, $350–$420

Dramatic dune-framed links across the estuary from Malahide — wild and underrated

Afternoon — Activity

Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour1-2 hours, $28–$45/pp

Flagship whiskey tour and tasting in central Dublin — a perfect arrival-day activity

Dinner

Beef and Lobster Malahideseafood, $$$ · 4.4★

Surf-and-turf specialist — exactly what the crew wants after 18 holes

After Dark

The Abbey Tavern (Howth)honky tonk · Open late

16th-century pub with turf fires and famous live trad-music nights since 1963

Day 3

Morning — Golf

County Louth Golf Club (Baltray) links, $350–$410

Tom Simpson 1938 masterpiece with some of the best greens in Ireland — a two-time Irish Open host

Afternoon — Activity

Guinness Storehouse2-3 hours, $28–$40/pp

Pour your own pint in the Gravity Bar with 360° views over Dublin

Dinner

Sale e Pepeitalian, $$ · 4.4★

Long-running Malahide Italian that handles a big table well

After Dark

The Temple Bar (Dublin)honky tonk · Open late

The most famous pub in Ireland — touristy but mandatory for a Dublin night out

The Rota

Course-by-Course Guide

Portmarnock has 5 courses worth playing, including 3 bucket-list tier layouts. 5 are walkable if you want to save on cart fees.

Portmarnock Golf ClubBucket List

130-year-old links on a sandy peninsula — host of 19 Irish Opens and the 1991 Walker Cup

Walkable
$515–$575
Par 72 · 7,466 yds
links
The Island Golf ClubBucket List

Dramatic dune-framed links across the estuary from Malahide — wild and underrated

Walkable
$350–$420
Par 72 · 7,257 yds
links
County Louth Golf Club (Baltray)Bucket List

Tom Simpson 1938 masterpiece with some of the best greens in Ireland — a two-time Irish Open host

Walkable
$350–$410
Par 72 · 7,031 yds
links
Jameson Golf Links (Portmarnock Resort)Premium

Dublin's only true beachfront links, recently redesigned, with a resort and spa on site

Walkable
$162–$345
Par 71 · 7,124 yds
links
Royal Dublin Golf ClubPremium

Historic Bull Island links minutes from the city — Christy O'Connor Sr.'s home club

Walkable
$240–$320
Par 72 · 7,269 yds
links
Base Camp

Where to Stay

Portmarnock has 2 group-friendly lodging options in our database, starting at $170/night for the whole house.

resort houseSleeps 1018

$200–$350 /night

Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links — beachfront resort with its own links, 15 min from DUB

beachfronton-site linkssparestaurant15 min from airport
resort houseSleeps 816

$170–$300 /night

Grand Hotel Malahide — four-star in upmarket Malahide village, ~10 min to The Island and Portmarnock

village centerrestaurantbarnear The Island
The Table

Group Dining Guide

3 restaurants vetted for group golf trips. Several can handle large parties without a reservation headache.

Fish Shack Malahide

$$$
seafood

Fresh seafood in the heart of Malahide village — a reliable group dinner

4.4$30-60/personReservation needed

Beef and Lobster Malahide

$$$
seafood

Surf-and-turf specialist — exactly what the crew wants after 18 holes

4.4$30-60/personReservation needed

Sale e Pepe

$$
italian

Long-running Malahide Italian that handles a big table well

4.4$15-30/person
After the Round

Nightlife

3 bars curated for groups. 3 stay open past midnight.

Gibney's of Malahide

Late night
dive

Landmark multi-room Malahide local — craic, pints and fish and chips

The Abbey Tavern (Howth)

Late night
honky tonk

16th-century pub with turf fires and famous live trad-music nights since 1963

The Temple Bar (Dublin)

Late night
honky tonk

The most famous pub in Ireland — touristy but mandatory for a Dublin night out

Off Days

Activities Beyond Golf

2 off-course activities for rest days or afternoons.

Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour

distillery1-2 hours$28–$45/pp

Flagship whiskey tour and tasting in central Dublin — a perfect arrival-day activity

Guinness Storehouse

brewery2-3 hours$28–$40/pp

Pour your own pint in the Gravity Bar with 360° views over Dublin

Logistics

Getting There

Fly into Dublin Airport (DUB) — it's a 15-minute drive to Portmarnock. For groups of 8+, consider booking a shuttle or party bus from the airport (local providers include Premier Chauffeur Drive Dublin and Flynn's Coaches). Renting two SUVs usually works for groups of 4-8.

Ready when you are

Build the Portmarnock trip.

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