Ireland has 6 golf courses that are on amost every Top 100 golf courses in the world list.  They are Royal County Down, ranked as the #1 course in the British Isles on at least one list; Royal Portrush, the only Irish venue to ever host an Open Championship; Ballybunion (Old); Portmarnock (Old); Lahinch; and the European Club.  Ireland has an additional 17 or 18 courses that rank in the Top 100 courses in the British Isles, which is remarkable when you consider that the British Open generates a good deal of the press for golf in the British Isles, and there are 5 Scotish courses and 4 courses in England currently in the regular rotation for the Open Championship, and none in Ireland.  The other Ireland courses that make the Top 100 courses in the British Isles are: Waterville, Carne, Old Head, Doonbeg, Tralee, the K Club (host of the 2006 Ryder Cup), County Sligo (Rosses Point), Ballyliffen (Glashedy Links), Rosapenna (Sandy Hills), Carton House (Montgomerie), County Louth (Baltray), Enniscrone (Dunes), Adare Manor, Portstewart, Mount Juliet, The Island and Druids Glen.  I am guessing that it is quite possible that you have not heard of a number of these courses, so they are Hidden Gems as far as you are concerned.  Most but not all of the courses mentioned here, as well as the additional hidden gems, are links courses but some are not.  Fortunately, the majority have websites that will give you all of the information necessary to help in your decision making process. 

HIDDEN GEM (picture)

Golf has been played here since 1889.  According to Golf World it is the only course to appear in all four sections rated: Top 20-(16); 10 best value courses (1); 10 most difficult courses (6); Top 10 courses for welcome (8). Dooks was awarded 4 star and the following comment "Not to be missed---Tough Links with friendly welcome and good food---Always easy to get a game, lovely scenery and friendly members---Gem of a course with interesting holes and warm welcome.

How about coupling this gem with a Stay and Play Package at Ballybunion.  We can get you a hard to get tee time!