I am pleased to share my “Lucky” 18: Ireland’s most memorable holes. The only rules: the holes are placed in their chronological order and each course can only appear once. What a task it was with so many amazing holes! The most debated holes were Number 5 and Number 16. See if you can guess which holes were close but didn’t make the cut:

The opener at The Strand sits atop Portstewart Golf Club and the views are breathtaking. The hole hugs gorse-covered dunes along Strand Beach and begins the journey into some of the most exhilarating linksland in golf.

Portsalon opens with a bang along Ballymastoker Bay below the Knockalla Mountains and the second tee box essentially doubles as an observatory. Golfers must contend with a sea inlet down the left with all the glory of County Donegal beyond.

Killarney’s Killeen Course is know for it’s lakeside holes and none offer a panoramic view of Lough Leane and the Macgillycuddy Reeks quite like the 3rd.

The 4th hole at Lahinch is aptly named”Klondyke” and features (arguably!) the most memorable shot on the course. Staring into the face of the 10 meter dune that cuts through the middle of the fairway, golfers must rely on the Hill Man to direct their approach to the green.

The 5th hole at the Dunluce Course edged out other worthy contenders for this list at Northern Ireland’s Open host. Not only are the views across White Rocks Beach towards Dunluce Castle memorable, but the hole is a fantastic risk-reward design, with options off the tee and danger lurking just beyond the green.

Cruit Island might be the most obscure course on this list to some, but the 6th hole at Cruit was among the easiest selections. It is among Ireland’s most dramatic cliffside holes in a location that is out of this world, or at least on the very edge of it.

The 7th hole at N&P begins an epic stretch around the turn. A brave tee shot or short approach is mostly blind to an infinity green that practically falls into the ocean beyond.

A list of Ireland’s great holes must include Carne and the 8th on the new Wild Atlantic Dunes layout is a worthy addition. Like many holes at Carne, an absolutely massive, well-positioned dune comes into play on the approach and the Devil’s Elbow is the only was around.

The front 9 finisher epitomizes the quality and challenge at RCD: A blind tee shot, one of many on the course, is played to the fairway below and into the ever-present backdrop of the mighty Mourne Mountains.

Ireland’s premier “lakeside” hole comes at the 10th on the Faldo Course. The tempting short par 4 drifts down into Lough Erne with sweeping views to savor.

The claustrophobic 11th at Ardglass is cut down along the shoreline between a steep ridge and the Irish Sea. The par 5 is theoretically a birdie opportunity but, on a windy day, keeping the ball in play feels next to impossible.

Most holes at Old Head would be justified on this list but there is only room for one and the 12th is an easy choice. A blind tee shot gives way to the most majestic shot in Ireland, an approach to a sliver of a green dangling hundreds of feet above the Atlantic.

I am particularly fond of Enniscrone’s back-to-back driveable par 4s on the back nine and the 13th made this list. It rolls down across the property’s massive dunes and dares the brave to pull driver on the tee.

One hole in particular on Tom Doak’s Donegal masterpiece offers caused me to stop and stare: the 14th. It works from left to right down the coastline with sweeping views toward Sheephaven Bay.

Ballybunion has so many great holes across the closing stretch that warrant consideration. In the end, I decided on course’s most scenic par 3. Golfers are challenged with an into the wind approach, a two-tiered green, fantastic bunkering, and the mesmerizing Atlantic beyond.

Several par 3s at Tralee could easily be on this list but the 16th was ultimately the choice. It is easy on the eyes but hard to keep your ball away from the sprawling Barrow Beach below.

The closing stretch at Waterville is sublime and at the top of the list, literally and figuratively, is the short 17th, Mulcahy’s Peak.

The finisher at Adare Manor has all the makings of a memorable end to the 2027 Ryder Cup. The River Maigue is in play on each shot and heroics are sure to be remembered.

Disagree? Reach out and let me know and then we can get started planning your golf trip.