Ireland's top modern golf clubs, ranked by the experts

A golf course in Co Donegal has been ranked as the top modern golf course in Ireland by Golfweek.

Rosapenna (St. Patrick's Links) in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was the highest-ranked golf course in Ireland in Golfweek's Best 2024: Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain and Ireland rankings, placing sixth with a score of 7.62.

Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort, Co Donegal. (Getty Images)

Waterville in Co Kerry and the Old Head of Kinsale in Co Cork are tied for seventh in the new ranking, while the European Club in Co Wicklow finished tenth.

Waterville Golf Club in Co Kerry. (Ireland's Content Pool)

The list was dominated by Irish and Scottish courses, with Scottish courses accounting for each of the top five courses in the recent ranking.

Kingbarns was named the best course in the UK and Ireland, with Trump International Scotland in second place and Ardfin on the Isle of Jura in third.

Meanwhile, there were 11 courses in Ireland in the top 20, compared to seven Scottish courses and two English courses.

Hog's Head in Co Kerry placed 12th, just ahead of Tralee, also in Co Kerry.

Tralee Golf Course, Co Kerry. (Ireland's Content Pool)

Enniscrone in Co Sligo, Carne in Co Mayo, Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg in Co Clare, Ballyliffin in Co Donegal, and Killeen Castle in Co Meath also featured in the top 20.

Enniscrone Golf Club, Co Sligo. (Ireland's Content Pool)

Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh was the only golf course in Northern Ireland to feature in the ranking, placing 22nd behind Rosapenna (Sandy Hills) in Co Donegal.

Lough Erne Golf Resort, Co. Fermanagh. (Ireland's Content Pool)

In total, Irish courses accounted for 22 of the 50 courses on the list, with notable courses such as Adare Manor in Co Limerick and Carton House (Montgomery) in Co Kildare placing 24th and 30th respectively.