Going for Golf

Royal Portrush

Many argue that Royal County Down has a serious rival as Ireland’s toughest links course. Some will put forward the European, many will point to Royal Portrush. Its Dunluce links were re-designed by Harry Colt in 1947, and the club hosted the only Open Championship held in Ireland in 1951. Royal Portrush occupies a triangle of giant sandhills with views of the hills of Donegal in the west, the Isle of Islay and Southern Hebrides in the north and the Giant’s Causeway and the Skerries in the east. The course is overlooked by the ruins of 13th century Dunluce Castle and this gives its name to the course where the pick of the holes has to be the fifth and the 200-yard, par-three 14th – aptly named Calamity.

Away from the fairways you should break your journey to visit the Giant’s Causeway – a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site which, as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption, comprises around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns – or, while in Belfast, take the Titanic Trail, a self-guided walking tour. Just don’t ask for ice in your drink when you visit the pubs…