History and character
The seaside town of Portrush on the Causeway Coast is home to Royal Portrush, whose Dunluce links hosted The Open in 2019 and again in 2025, the only Open venue in Ireland. The course was shaped by Harry Colt in the 1930s and is famous for holes such as Calamity Corner, a terrifying par-three played across a deep chasm, and the dramatic White Rocks running along the cliffs. It returned to the Open rota to rapturous scenes, with local hero Graeme McDowell among those celebrating the homecoming. Beyond the golf, the town sits beside the Giant Causeway and Dunluce Castle, giving the trip a sense of place that goes far beyond the course.
When to go
May through September is the prime window, offering the firmest turf and the longest daylight on this northern coast. The Causeway Coast catches plenty of Atlantic weather, so wind and sudden rain are part of the experience even in midsummer, and the cliffside holes are gloriously exposed. Late spring and early autumn tend to be quieter and just as rewarding, while peak summer brings the warmest weather and the busiest tee sheets. The Open legacy means demand is high, so book Dunluce well in advance.
Cost and who it is for
Royal Portrush is a members club that welcomes visitors at premium rates, and its recent Open status has pushed both demand and green fees upward, so it suits the bucket-list golfer who plans ahead. There is a second course, the Valley links, that provides a more relaxed and affordable round alongside the championship Dunluce. The town itself is friendly and walkable, making it a comfortable base rather than a remote outpost. Treat Dunluce as a marquee round and build a day or two of sightseeing around it.
What to pair it with
Portrush and Royal County Down together form the classic Northern Ireland links double, an easy pairing given Belfast sits roughly between them. The Causeway Coast itself offers castles, the Giant Causeway and whiskey distilleries for non-golf days. From here many travellers extend to the southwest of Ireland for Lahinch, Ballybunion and Tralee, or take the short hop to Scotland for Turnberry and St Andrews. A week combining Portrush and County Down delivers two of the finest links rounds anywhere on earth.