The Island Golf Club

Perched on a windswept peninsula surrounded by sea on three sides, The Island Golf Club remains one of Ireland's best-kept secrets despite being ranked in the top 10 Irish courses. Founded in 1890, this classical links was accessible only by boat until 1973, and that sense of remote isolation persists today. The 25-foot dunes that frame nearly half the holes create natural amphitheatres, while blind tee shots, treacherous bail-out zones, and lightning-quick greens demand respect. Recent redesigns by Mackenzie & Ebert have added greater variety to the front nine, but the back nine remains the showstopper—particularly the spectacular par-3 16th and the notorious ribbon-fairway 14th with the Malahide Estuary awaiting on the right.

This is old-school links golf at its finest, with minimal coddling and no frills. The course plays through undulating fairways where the rough is unforgiving and each shot requires strategy and precision. Weather is constant here—the wind rarely relents, and rain is frequent—which is precisely why The Island remains refreshingly authentic and challenging. A caddie is highly recommended, as the course's blind shots and hidden greens can bedevil even experienced golfers.

Just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport and 30 minutes from the city centre, The Island presents the perfect bookend to a Dublin golf trip. The clubhouse offers excellent dining and a welcoming atmosphere rarely found at courses of this caliber. Groups of golfers will revel in the camaraderie of conquering such a memorable test, often followed by post-round Guinness on the terrace overlooking the 18th green.