Ireland

Brook Lodge

Wicklow

The hotel, which is actually called "Brook Lodge and Macreddin Village", is a bit secluded in a lovely valley in County Wicklow. Maybe an hour's drive south of Dublin and very close to famous Glendalough.

I chose it because I could get to the European Golf Club relatively quickly from there and because it is just such a nice hotel. The hotel has its own small golf course and also offers a lot of other things to do before and after the - very good - food and drinks.

European GC 18 m – Druids Glen 25 m

Cahernane House

Killarney

From the hotel website: Cahernane House Hotel exudes a sense of relaxation and tranquillity, where you can retreat from the hustle and bustle of life into a cocoon of peace and serenity. The only sounds you can hear are the bleating of the lambs or the singing of the birds. I would add: Rejoice when you hear the clattering of plates at some point. Because then there is time for either a very good breakfast or a perfect dinner. Like everything else in Killarney, it's not exactly cheap. But it's worth it!

Killarney GFC 4,5 m

Carton House

Maynooth

On the border of counties Kildare and Meath lies the stately Carton House, which has been managed by Fairmont Hotels for some time. Compared to the neighbouring K Club, the Carton House has two (even) better golf courses. Otherwise, it is simply what it is: a huge castle hotel in which even discerning guests should want for nothing. Except perhaps the time to enjoy all the amenities and still be on the golf course all day. Great.

The O'Meara - The Montgomerie

Castle Leslie

Glaslough

The Castle Leslie Estate with its castle and the adjoining hotel rooms in the lodge and the mews is perhaps not exactly a perfect golf hotel because it is simply too far away from the classic golf courses for which golfers come to Ireland. But it is a rider's dream and my experience shows that the two sports complement each other perfectly and sometimes the keen golfer has to take a back seat. And where better to do that than here? We found it excellent. My wife because she could ride out and I because I could travel to Donegal the next day, where golf is something else again. Oh, and the hotel is really luxurious.

Clontarf Castle

Dublin

Another castle, another hotel in close proximity to some really great golf courses and also to Dublin Airport. We stayed there a few years ago after having a delayed flight and couldn't make it to the West as planned. We didn't regret it. The hotel is very nice, even if this castle character is not very dominant. To put it nicely. Can be done (very well).

Royal Dublin 2 m – Portmarnoch GC 7.5 m

K Club

Straffan

Made famous by the Ryder Cup played here in 2006 and a regular venue for the Irish Open, the K Club is exactly what you think when you first stand in front of the impressive building. It is a huge castle where even the most demanding guest will get his money's worth. In a nutshell: The K Club has two great golf courses designed by Arnold Plamer and numerous very good restaurants. It is also ideally located for Dublin Airport. Are there any disadvantages? Yes. Unfortunately (very) expensive.

Palmer North – Palmer South

Lough Eske Castle

Donegal

In 2008, my wife and I got engaged in this hotel. Therefore, I am perhaps not entirely objective when it comes to the evaluation. But even when we returned 15 years later, we found the castle and all its facilities simply wonderful. All the public spaces, the fantastic rooms, the nice restaurants and bars and a scenic location just outside Donegal Town with more nice restaurants, pubs and, you guessed it, a perfect links golf course.

Donegal GC 12

Portmarnock Resort

Portmarnock

The historic Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, once the family home of the Jameson whiskey dynasty, is perfectly located for those who want to play not one, but two world-class links courses without traveling more than 10 miles from the country's main airport. Would you like a nice beach as well? Sea views from many rooms? A great bar? Okay, then you won't go wrong here. I wish you the fun I had when I had a little match play here with my brother.

Portmarnock Links – Portmarnock GC 2 m

Me&Misses Jones

Portstewart

The hotel, which is located in the centre of Portstewart, can safely be described as somewhat eccentric. Our room, for example, was a dream in turquoise and all the public rooms of the hotel also have a certain opulence. We felt very comfortable there. And, by the way, we had a very good breakfast and dinner. Yes, the proximity to the two incredible golf courses of Portstewart and Portrush is no disadvantage either. Do they even exist? Well, it's not exactly a bargain.

Portstewart GC 1 m – Royal Portrush 4 m