Royal Portrush Golf Course

One of three 'Royal' courses in Northern Ireland, Portrush is steeped in history both golfing and otherwise, being overlooked by the ruins of Dunluce Castle. The only course in Ireland to have hosted the Open Championship (1951, when Max Faulkner won) it is on everybody's short-list of top Irish courses, a great test of any golfer's shot-making and nerve.

Founded in 1888, the club became Royal Portrush in 1893, with King Edward VII as patron. It was famous not only for its magnificent turf and superb golf holes but also for its lovely setting. Royal Portrush's Dunluce Course is laid out in a marvellous stretch of natural golfing country. Through a tangle of sandhills the course threads its way, with the sweeping contours of dunes lending infinite variety to the game.

Situated east of Portrush occupying a triangle of giant sandhills, from the highest point of which is an amazing varied prospect.The Hills of Donegal in the West, the Isle of Islay and Southern Hebrides in the North with the Giants Causeway and the Skerries to the East.

The Dunluce Course is as fine a links as you will find anywhere with the 5th being a particularly memorable hole to a green hanging on the edge of the cliff. Look out also for Calamity Corner, the well-named par-3 14th of around 200 yards. The Valley course lies between the East Strand and the Dunluce Course. It is the home of Royal Portrush Ladies Club and the affiliated Rathmore Club.

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