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Published 10:00 17 Jul 2019 BST
Updated 10:05 17 Jul 2019 BST
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A parkland gem in the heart of Wicklow, Druids Glen is as picturesque as it is deadly. Offering a stern examination of your accuracy off the tee, the par-71 has tight, immaculately manicured fairways which places a real premium on straight drives.
Unlike many of the courses on this list, Druids Glen can't offer breathtaking coastal views, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the most gorgeous courses in Ireland, with the Wicklow Mountains providing a sufficiently dramatic backdrop to your round.
A four-time host of the Irish Open, it's regarded as one of the toughest but fairest courses around. It's not cheap, though, with a round for visitors priced at €65m.
With panoramic views of the Gweebarra Bay and cavernous fairways in between the dunes, Portnoo is as dramatic and intoxicating as golf in Donegal gets. Situated 25 miles north west of Donegal Town and just six miles north of the charming town of Ardara, Portnoo perhaps doesn't get the recognition it deserves but, if you visit it, you'll soon see exactly why it's been included on this list.
Regularly topping the list of Ireland's greatest courses, this golfing haven in Newcastle is simply a must-see, must-play for all golf fans. Sitting in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains and with Dundrum Bay to the east, the championship course is a punishing but beguiling experience.
With its rugged topography along the Irish Sea, Royal County Down was surprisingly named the greatest course in the world in Golf Digest's prestigious biennial ranking. That means it edged out Augusta for top honours - that's seriously impressive.
With little to no developments to its layout since it was opened in 1894, Portmarnock is a purist's delight, a devilishly beautiful gem just 15 minutes north of Dublin Airport. With constantly changing winds and holes of every shape and size, if you're to shoot a low score at Portmarnock you will need every shot in your locker. Versatility and intelligence are duly rewarded around this fascinating creation, while the 15th has to be one of the most jaw-dropping par 3s in Ireland.
A treasure on the Kerry coastline, Ballybunion's standing in the world of golf is well-established at this stage, counting five-time Open winner Tom Watson as an honorary member. It's remote locale makes it seem like the dark side of the moon but it's certainly worth the trip.
The 7th hole runs along a coastal cliff and, as American sports writer Marino Parascenzo once put it, "four good paces carry you across the tee, the fifth drops you to the rocks and the Atlantic surf far below." That gives you a good picture of the exquisite landscape that accompanies you around Ballybunion.
One of Ireland's most formidable championship links, County Sligo boasts an arresting combination of mountain and ocean scenery and sits beside countryside so beautiful, WB Yeats immortalised it with a poem, calling it the 'Land of Heart's Desire.' The gem of Rosses Point is worthy of standing tall among Ireland's finest courses and is a fitting venue with which to round off the list.Quiz: Name the players with the most top-25 finishes in Masters history
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