We have listed these so called hidden gems somewhat regionally, to assist you in planning the courses you may want to play on your next trip to Ireland to supplement some of the well known courses, particularly if you expect to be only in one area of the country.  I am certain that to many of you that are reading this these courses are quite familiar.  As mentioned previously, the majority of these courses are links courses, the reason most golfers travel to the British Isles, but some are not.  Most have websites that will help you when planning your trip. 

SOUTHWEST

• Ballybunion New (Cashen) - Robert Trent Jones - 1984 - We've been told by a well known guest house owner that the locals refer to Cashen as "Ballybunion Old on steroids."  That has been confirmed by at least one group that we have sent, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry.
• Ceann Sibeal (Dingle) - Eddie Hackett and Christy O'Connor Jr. (1990) - Europe's western most course has some very good holes and the town has a lot of pubs, a lot of traditional Irish music, good restaurants and there is much Gaelic spoken here.  The views going and coming are fantastic.  Sybil Head, Dingle peninsula.
• Killarney Killeen (1893) - Eddie Hackett/Dr. Billy O'Sullivan (1980s) - Has hosted a couple of Irish Opens in 1991 and 1992 and a Curtis Cup, and by the way last time I checked David Feherty,our favorite golf commentator, was the course record holder. Killarney, Co. Kerry. 
• Cork Golf Club - Little Island (1888) - Dr. Alistair Mackenzie (1927) - Has hosted numerous championships, truly one of the finest parkland courses in Ireland, part of the course plays along the shore of Cork harbor, East of Cork City on Little Island, Co. Cork.

WEST

• Galway Golf Club (1895) - Dr. Alister McKenzie (1925) - A parkland course that is probably not Dr. McKenzies best work, however it is a good test of golf and has excellent views of Galway Bay and the Burren from it's elevated position, located only 3 miles from Galway City Center at Blackrock, Salthill. 
• Strandhill (1931) - McAlister, McGonigle and Niland, Possibly overshadowed by more famous neighbor Rosses Point, this is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining golf links with undulating fairways and uninterrupted scenery.  Christy O'Conner Snr described the links as "the hidden jewel of the West", Strandhill, County Sligo.
• Narin and Portnoo (1930) - Hughie McNeil and Leo Wallace, Eddie Connaughton (2004) - Definitely one of the best values in Ireland with sweeping views of Gweebarra Bay, the view from the 8th tee is breathtaking and the 15th hole is one of the better holes in all of Ireland and this course is 6800+ yds, Narin, Donegal.
• Westport (1908) - Fred Hawtree - Very long testing parkland course with breath taking views, part inland and part seaside course, has hosted Irish PGA Championship and Irish Amateur.  It is a great value at the price.  Carrowholly, Westport, Co. Mayo.
• Bundoran Golf Club (1894) - CS Burthart (1903), Harry Vardon (1927) - Christy O'Connor Snr, was professional from 1951 - 1957.  This is a good test of golf consisting of a mixture of dunes and undulating terrain with nonending views of the Atlantic along the rugged Donegal Bay coastline.  Bundoran, Donegal.

NORTH

• Dunfanaghy (1906) - Harry Vardon - A true links course that plays over relatively flat terrain with spectacular views of Sheephaven Bay and the dramatic Derryveagh Mountains.  There are a couple of the best par 3s in Ireland, with the 17th as difficult as you will find anywhere and the greens are among the best in the Ireland.  The club is very welcoming as is the price.  Kill, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal.
• Portsalon Golf Club (1891) - Pat Ruddy - Certainly doesn't have the notoriety of Ruddy's neighbor course, the spectacular Glashedy Links at Ballyliffen or Royal Portrush's Dunluce Links designed by HS Colt and host of the only Open Championship held in Ireland; however, it has been described by at least one American golf writer as Ireland's greatest hidden treasure in links golf.  Fanad, Co. Donegal.
• North West Golf Club (1891) - One of the founding members of the Golf Union of Ireland under the name of Buncrana.  It has drawn comparisons to St. Andrews, probably because of the hidden runs and bumps, and is a good test of golf.  The members say that if you come off this course level par on the par 3s you have an excellent score.  Located on the shores of Lough Swilly, Lisfannon, Fanan, Co. Donegal.
• Ballyliffen - Old Links(1973) - Eddie Hackett, Martin Hopkins - There are (36) enjoyable holes of links golf at Ballyliffen.  The previously mentioned Glashedy Links (1995) Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock, is rapidly climbing the charts and by some accounts is in the upper half of the top 100 courses in the British Isles.  However, the old Links is not to be dismissed and even the Glashedy Links would be an after thought to some when planning their Ireland golf vacation.  Ballyliffen, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. 
• Castlerock (1901) - Ben Sayers/Harry Colt - A fabulous links course on North Ireland's Causeway Coast with great views of Donegal and on a clear day towards Scotland and the Isle of Islay.  More importantly this course with a host of long and demanding holes has frequently hosted National Championships, both Amateur and Professional.  If that is not enough the 9 hole Bann course has some great holes and terrific vistas.  Castlerock Co. Londonderry, N Ireland.
• Ballycastle (1890) - Because of where it is and the price, it has to be included in this group.  It also was one of the founding members of the Golf Union of Ireland in 1891 and originally known as the Warren Links it is situated on the most Northern tip of the Antrim coast with the magnificent Glens of Antrim and the Giants Causeway.  The course is a unique golfing challenge with some outstanding links holes as well as impressive views.  Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, N Ireland. 

EAST

• Ardglass (1896) - David Jones - All holes have a view of the Irish Sea and especially the first six holes.  The first four holes particularly when the wind is up do indeed present a challenge.  The par 3 12th will be one of the most memorable as it provides wonderful views and is played across a craggy inlet to a green perched on a rocky point.  When the wind is blowing try to visualize playing to #7 at Pebble Beach if it were nearly twice as long.  The clubhouse makes partial use of an Irish castle that dates to the 14th century.  This course will not have you comparing it to Royal County Down, however you might be inclined to if you factor in the price.  It is definitely one of  the best values in this part of Ireland.Castle Place, Ardglass, County Down.
• Seapoint (1993) - Des Smyth - This is a newer course very near the popular County Louth (Baltray) golf links.  The front side is played over somewhat sedate terrain, with the 7th hole presenting a stiff challenge; however, the back is comprised of some fine linksland with the 11th, there aren't a lot of better par 4s, 17th,try not to lose focus taking in the wonderful view, and 18th, which only requires distance and accuracy.  A wonderful challenge to all skill levels.  Termonfeckin, Co. Louth.
• Laytown & Bettystown (1908) - Robert Browne - This is a superb links course located just 30 minutes from Dublin on a wonderful piece of coastal land on the sea.  The course is not without a few quirks, not the least of which is a blind shot to the 18th green which is located very close to the very welcoming clubhouse.  This is truly an enjoyable links golfing experience well worth your time when in the east of Ireland.  Bettystown, Co. Meath.
• St. Anne's (1921) - Eddie Hackett and Paddy Skerritt - Situated on Bull Island as is the much more famous Royal Dublin Golf Club, this is a very enjoyable links course which is both impressive and testing.  While sharing the same geography and weather with it's neighbor and the same panoramic views of Howth Head and across the bay to the Wicklow mountains, St. Anne's can be enjoyed for less than half the price.  Bull Island Nature Reserve, Dollymount, Dublin.
• Rosslare (1921) - Fred Hawtree - While Rosslare is admittedly a little remote for many Irish golfing tourists on the extreme southeast coast, it might be the sunniest coastal area in Ireland.  However, should you decide to add an extra day you will be rewarded with terrific links golf in a welcoming evironment with possibly the nicest weather on your trip at half the price of some lesser venues.  Please check out the Rosslare website and I think you will concur.  Rosslare, Co. Wexford.

Just as in the US, there is a wide range of green fees in Ireland.  The courses that you have most likely heard of are probably harder to get on than these courses listed as hidden gems, and they are also going to cost more to play.  Whatever your pleasure, the lists of lesser known courses on this website are meant only to give information to save you some time in looking up all of the information yourself.  As always, if you have favorites that we have omitted or a difference of opinion we would love to hear from you.