While it may not command the immediate global recognition of Ireland’s most storied golf courses, The Island Golf Course in Dublin is steadily gaining acclaim as a links truly deserving of a place among the Republic’s finest.
Established in 1890, The Island stands as one of Ireland’s oldest links courses. Originally situated on an actual island, its landscape has since been masterfully sculpted into the modern championship layout we experience today. Despite its convenient location just outside Dublin, for many years, The Island has remained somewhat of a hidden gem, often overshadowed by golf giants such as Portmarnock or Royal Portrush.
Golf experts are increasingly debating its true standing within the Irish golf landscape. Commentator Dan Murphy notes, “For reasons I don’t understand… it doesn’t carry the same weight in Irish golf society as Portmarnock does, for example, or Royal Portrush. It seems to be a little bit more rural, more of a backwater in terms of Irish golf.” He firmly asserts, “But I’m here to tell you that it absolutely is in that category, as far as I’m concerned.”
Unlike the more celebrated links found along Ireland’s west coast, The Island is rooted in suburban Dublin, a characteristic host Tom Irwin sees as part of its unique allure. “I think that it’s one of those places where you go and you think, ‘well, hang on, how come more people are not banging on about this?'” he remarks.
Irwin suggests that its lack of a “royal moniker” and its placement outside the typical American tourist itineraries—which often emphasize picturesque Ring of Kerry scenes, Guinness pints, and traditional music—contribute to its understated charm. “It’s not quite that element of Ireland. It’s suburban Ireland on the outskirts of Dublin,” he explains. This setting offers a delightful sense of discovery upon arrival.
What golfers find is an extraordinary expanse of dune land—a links course embodying the very best Irish traditions, defined by colossal dunes that shape the play, particularly on the breathtaking first and 18th holes. Irwin describes these as “unbelievably spectacular.”
“At its best, I think it is as good as anywhere,” he concludes, recounting two memorable visits. The first, played in a torrential storm, saw them continue undeterred, captivated by the course’s quality. The second, on a beautiful evening, left them equally unwilling to depart, solidifying his view that it is truly “a sensational golf course.”
