Louth is home to several of the finest golf courses in Ireland’s Ancient East with a course around every corner waiting to welcome you.
The Wee County boasts six splendid courses, all of different variety, with no fewer than five of them positioned along the sea louth trail. From idyllic parkland settings to the world famous links at Baltray, the main challenge just might be to keep your eye on the ball amid such breathtaking surroundings.
The first two can be found in north Louth, on the scenic Cooley Peninsula.
1. Greenore Golf Club
Founded in 1896, this golf club is set on the shores of Carlingford Lough, with panoramic views of Slieve Foye Mountain and the Mountains of Mourne. It is a superb course with a good mix of traditional links and heathland terrain. An excellent test of golf, with challenging but fair approach shots into well manicured links type greens. These are well bunkered, with water in play on some holes, coupled with spectacular backdrops that will take your breath away.
2. Ballymascanlon Golf Course
Often described as a hidden gem, this Ruddy and Craddock designed parkland course is set on 130 acres of mature country estate on the grounds of the Ballymascanlon House Hotel. Nestled at the foot of the Cooley Mountains, the course has been cleverly designed to ensure that the natural features of woodland; streams and lakes are incorporated throughout, offering great variety at every turn.
Moving along the coast, just south of Dundalk, you will find our next fairway set on an elevated site above the seaside village of Blackrock.
3. Dundalk Golf Club (Blackrock)
This parkland golf course offers magnificent panoramic views across Dundalk Bay to the legendary and imposing Cooley and Mourne mountains. Founded in 1905, Dundalk is a members club but warmly welcomes visitors to come and enjoy the beautiful course and the breathtaking views. The 18 hole, Par 72 championship course offers golfers of all abilities a true test, measuring 6,826 yards from the tips. The course regularly hosts national and international championships, and up until 2022 was the home of the PGA in Ireland.
Further down the coast, travelling east towards the villages of Termonfeckin and Baltray, you will find two gems.
4. Seapoint Golf Links
Host venue to the 2023 Irish Legends, Seapoint is a beautiful links course overlooking the Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea. Originally designed by Ryder Cup Vice Captain Des Smyth and Declan Branigan, this 260 acre course has matured into one of Ireland’s finest links courses. The challenge begins from the first tee, which embarks onto a testing 7,150 yard Par 72 course, offering golfers an experience to remember.
Don’t miss the chance to play alongside your golfing heroes this June when some of golf’s greatest legends will descend on the links as they host the third largest event on the 2023 Legends Tour.
5. County Louth Golf Links
More affectionately known as ‘Baltray’, this award-winning championship links provides one of the purest and fairest tests of links golf in the world. Founded in 1892, the current course was redesigned by Tom Simpson and Molly Gourlay in 1938. A par 72, measuring 7,031 yards from the back tees, the course is idyllically located by the mouth of the River Boyne and the Irish Sea. It boasts panoramic views over the course sand dunes, to a six-mile-long strand and the mountains beyond.
County Louth Golf Club, Baltray
The club has hosted the European Tour’s Irish Open on two occasions and was etched into Irish golfing history when it famously became the venue where Shane Lowry, the 2019 Open Champion, won the Irish Open as an Amateur.
Their restaurant is part of the sea louth trail and is regarded for fresh seafood dishes, sourced locally from the fishing boats in nearby Clogherhead.
If you’d like to tick all six courses off the list, why not head inland for one final tee off.
6. Ardee Golf Club
One of the finest parkland courses in the North East, this golf course is very popular with golfers of all abilities from the beginner right up to the seasoned Pro. This traditionally styled, mature course is a charming place for a round of golf, guarded by tree lined fairways and with water coming into play on no fewer than 9 holes, it is sure to give an unforgettable experience.
All of the golf courses we have featured welcome visitors, so why not start planning your next golf trip today, find out more here.
Grab the chance between rounds of golf to enjoy all that sea louth’s scenic seafood trail has to offer; the magnificent scenery, revitalizing sea air and, of course, mouth-watering local seafood. Check out all our participating restaurants here.
Cover Image: County Louth Golf Club, Baltray.
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