Tourists are set to pay more than £400 for a single round of golf at Ireland’s top course as officials aim to bring visitors here on the back of Rory McIlroy’s Masters win.
The latest figures show that Ireland’s most expensive golf course is the JP McManus owned Adare Manor in Co Limerick.
The site of the 2027 Ryder Cup (team competition between the US and Europe), Adare Manor is charging E500 (£427) per round for residents of the onsite luxury hotel.
Royal County Down club, where would-be golfers can expect to pay £425 for a single round, is next up.
Often ranked the Number 1 golf course in the world, Royal County Down is followed by the Old Head Golf Links in Kinsale, County Cork, which commands €475 (£406) per round during its peak season from April 23 to October 12 .
Adare Manor will host the 2027 Ryder Cup (Niall Carson/PA)
That’s followed by the site of this year’s Open Championship, Royal Portrush Golf Club’s Dunluce Links, where Rory will hope to win another major in late July.
The course, which saw Shane Lowry win The Open in 2019, has a green fee of £385 to play the course.
Nine of Top Ten list (Adare Manor the odd one out) are what golfers describe as ‘links’ courses, routed through sand dunes on the coast.
These courses are almost unique to Ireland and Britain and are highly desirable for travelling American golfers.
There are more than 50 links course in Ireland and some can be played for £50 or less.
In Dublin, Portmarnock Golf Club near Dublin offers 18-hole rounds at €405 (£346.52), but this includes lunch.
Meanwhile, the Island Golf Club in Donabate, Co Dublin is closed to visitors in 2025 but plans to reopen in 2026 with a green fee of €325 (£278)
Slightly ‘cheaper’ is the Royal Dublin Golf Club on Bull Island. It charges €270 (£231) per person from Monday to Thursday and €295 (£252.40) from Friday to Sunday between March 17 and October 31. However, an early bird rate of €195 ( £166.84) is available for tee times up to 8:20am.
Those heading further south can also expect to pay steep prices before they tee off.
Shane Lowry tees off during day two of the Amgen Irish Open 2024 at Royal County Down (Liam McBurney/PA)
Ballybunion Golf Club in County Kerry charges €400 (£342.24) for a round during the high season from April onwards.
Lahinch Golf Club in County Clare sets its green fee at €375 (£320.85) for the summer months.
Meanwhile, Tralee Golf Club, also in County Kerry, lists a high-season green fee of €375 (£320.85) from April 14 to October 10.
Waterville Golf Links in County Kerry charges €375 (£320.85) for rounds on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays, and €350 (£299.46) on other weekdays during the main season from April 1 to October 31 .
Despite the eye-watering prices, tourism officials say that Rory’s win may boost golf tourism here.
David Connellan, Tourism Ireland’s Golf & Activities Executive, said: “This was a superb career grand slam for Rory McIlroy and we are absolutely delighted for him. He is such a fantastic ambassador for golf and for Northern Ireland and his victory has placed golf in Northern Ireland, once more, to the forefront of everyone’s mind.
“We have an extensive programme of golf promotions under way in the United States and in our other key golf markets around the world, to capitalise on the tourism potential of the return of The Open to Royal Portrush this summer. We will also continue to work hard to capitalise on Rory’s triumph at Augusta.”
Full coverage, half price. For expert insights, analysis and commentary, subscribe to The Irish News today. Get full access for just £7.49/month. Offer ends 28th April.