Ardglass, County Down, Northern Ireland
Ardglass Golf Club
Perched on the clifftops of County Down, Ardglass is one of the most visually dramatic links in Northern Ireland — a course where the Irish Sea is a constant presence and the views are simply breathtaking.
About the Course
Ardglass Golf Club
Ardglass Golf Club was founded in 1896 and occupies one of the most dramatic clifftop settings in Irish golf. The course sits on the headland above the fishing village of Ardglass, with the Irish Sea stretching to the east and the Mourne Mountains visible to the south. The opening holes in particular — played along the cliff edge — are among the most visually spectacular in Northern Ireland.
The course is shorter than the great championship links of the north coast, but it more than compensates with character, drama, and the sheer quality of its clifftop setting. The combination of sea views, natural terrain, and the intimacy of a traditional links layout creates a round of real pleasure and variety. It is the kind of course that golfers return to repeatedly — not for its difficulty, but for the joy of playing in such a remarkable location.
Ardglass sits 14 miles from Royal County Down, making it a natural companion course on any County Down itinerary. Playing both in the same trip — the grandeur of Royal County Down followed by the clifftop drama of Ardglass — is one of the great pleasures of a Northern Ireland golf tour.
By the Numbers
Course Statistics
Based on course length, terrain & layout
Handicap index suggested for full enjoyment
The Course
Why It Stands Out
The Clifftop Opening Holes
The opening holes at Ardglass are played along the cliff edge above the Irish Sea — a sequence of dramatic, visually spectacular golf that immediately establishes the course's unique character. These holes are among the most memorable in Northern Ireland golf.
Irish Sea Views Throughout
The Irish Sea is a constant presence at Ardglass — visible from almost every hole and providing a backdrop of ever-changing light and colour. On a clear day, the Isle of Man and the Scottish coast are visible across the water, adding to the sense of place and remoteness.
The Mourne Mountains Backdrop
The Mourne Mountains are visible to the south from much of the course, providing a dramatic backdrop that connects Ardglass visually to Royal County Down just 14 miles away. The combination of sea views and mountain backdrop gives Ardglass a setting of rare natural beauty.
A Perfect County Down Companion
Ardglass is the natural companion to Royal County Down — a shorter, more intimate links that provides a contrasting but equally rewarding experience. Playing both in the same trip is one of the great pleasures of a County Down golf itinerary.
The Course
Course Views
Extend Your Itinerary
Pair It with County Down
Ardglass sits 14 miles from Royal County Down, making it the natural companion course for any County Down itinerary. From here, the route north takes in the Causeway Coast — Royal Portrush, Portstewart, and Castlerock — for a complete tour of Northern Ireland's finest links.
Golf Travel
How It Is Included
Ardglass is a cornerstone of our County Down itineraries, paired with Royal County Down for a two-course experience that contrasts the grandeur of the world's finest links with the intimate clifftop drama of one of Northern Ireland's most characterful courses. We build it into extended Northern Ireland tours that travel north to the Causeway Coast and optionally into Donegal.
To explore how Ardglass fits into a wider route, visit our Royal & Causeway Coast Collection page or our Northern Ireland golf tours page.
Begin Your Journey
Play Ardglass Golf Club
Speak with our team to arrange tee times at Ardglass and build a private itinerary through County Down and Northern Ireland.
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