Links Golf Near Dublin - Advice Needed

[Hawkeye]

I'm planning a trip to Ireland with my wife and daughter.  We're looking at playing three times, including once in Dublin on the day we arrive.  The other two rounds will be down near Killarney later in the week.  I'm trying to determine what links course near Dublin would be best for them to play.  I'm considering Portmarnock, Royal Dublin or The Island.  Any insight or thoughts on these three would be appreciated.  Looking for playability, fun, and atmosphere.  Thanks!

[sabram]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye said:

I'm planning a trip to Ireland with my wife and daughter.  We're looking at playing three times, including once in Dublin on the day we arrive.  The other two rounds will be down near Killarney later in the week.  I'm trying to determine what links course near Dublin would be best for them to play.  I'm considering Portmarnock, Royal Dublin or The Island.  Any insight or thoughts on these three would be appreciated.  Looking for playability, fun, and atmosphere.  Thanks!

Click on a photo below to see a photo tour of each of the courses you mentioned. The Island has big dunes and a couple blind shots. It;s the most visually interesting of the three. Portmarnock and Royal Dublin are flatter and don't have a lot of eye candy. Portmarnock has great greens and bunkering and requires thinking on every shot. It also has a lot of history and a nice clubhouse with lots of memorabilia. Royal Dublinhas a similar vibe as Portmarnock and is just a notch below Portmarnock from a golf architecture perspective. Royal Dublin has a very welcoming membership and nice club house. An additional choice if you are looking for something less expensive would be Corballis. A very good links for much less money, but not much of a club house if you plan on having a meal and a drink at the course.

 

The Island

 

Portmarnock

 

Royal Dublin

 

Corballis

[hammergolf]

Between the 3 choices you listed I would play The Island over the other two. I find the other two courses very overpriced and overrated. However, if you’re looking for a really fun course at a great bargain, Corballis can’t be beat. It’s next to The Island, so it shares some of the dunes land. 

[st1800e]

I’d say the island, but you also might consider County Louth.  

[El Gringo]

The Island is a very difficult course with many holes between dunes with harsh rough. I think it's the best of the general Dublin lot, but it can be a long day if someone isn't straight. Baltray is much more playable and about an hour north from the centre of Dublin.

 

Arklow is another option about an hour south. A bit cheaper than the courses you named, but not quite in their class. Laytown & Bettystown is another course about the same quality as Arklow...up near Baltray. A bit cheaper with some highlight holes. Good course. 

 

My favourite is Corballis. It's an odd little course, but cheap and cheerful. Think of it like a US muni, but with tons more character. If its a weekend be careful. Slow as US munis. 

[Hawkeye]

Thanks for the great input on this!

[Ireland2]

Portmarnock is both the best and the most playable of all courses mentioned. It also has - by a distance - the most vibe (as long as a traditional golf club is what you are looking for)

[AltC]

The Island is a super course and very scenic- have not played the other two.

[johnspies]

I'd play Portmarnock again in a minute....and my caddie there (best I had on the trip) strongly recommended The Island.

[AltC]

To temper my enthusiasm for The Island somewhat - another guy posted that the green feel is now 295€ mid week rate - that sounds a bit steep to me (last played maybe 6 or 7 years back for less than a third of that!) So maybe Corballis is a better value option.As someone else posted The Island can play brutally tough if the wind blows. Enjoy your trip.

[hammergolf]

11 hours ago, AltC said:

To temper my enthusiasm for The Island somewhat - another guy posted that the green feel is now 295€ mid week rate - that sounds a bit steep to me (last played maybe 6 or 7 years back for less than a third of that!) So maybe Corballis is a better value option.As someone else posted The Island can play brutally tough if the wind blows. Enjoy your trip.

I’m a big fan of Corballis. 16 really fun holes with 2 meh ones. But for €35 it’s hard to beat. Not long as it’s par 66. Great views right on the sea. 

[El Gringo]

5 hours ago, hammergolf said:

I’m a big fan of Corballis. 16 really fun holes with 2 meh ones. But for €35 it’s hard to beat. Not long as it’s par 66. Great views right on the sea. 

Corballis is by far my favourite of the courses mentioned. The biggest problem is no 🍺 in the house 😢. 

[puttnforthe8]

On 6/8/2023 at 9:33 PM, El Gringo said:

Corballis is by far my favourite of the courses mentioned. The biggest problem is no 🍺 in the house 😢. 

You favor Corballis over Island and Port?  Please send me some of the crack you are smoking!!

 

I play Corballis 2-3 times a month, but in no multiverse would it be favored over the other 2.

[El Gringo]

4 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

You favor Corballis over Island and Port?  Please send me some of the crack you are smoking!!

 

I play Corballis 2-3 times a month, but in no multiverse would it be favored over the other 2.

I certainly don't think Corballis is better. But it is good and engaging. The kicker is it's miles cheaper. I am not willing to pay the going rate at The Island, Portmarnock and many other top shelf courses. I played nearly all of them. 

[hammergolf]

17 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

You favor Corballis over Island and Port?  Please send me some of the crack you are smoking!!

 

I play Corballis 2-3 times a month, but in no multiverse would it be favored over the other 2.

The value of Corballis is what’s great. While  Portmarnock and The Island are much longer courses and better layouts, they are also nearly 10 times the price. I enjoy The Island, but I also enjoy Corballis.