Nine Irish Golf Courses in World Top 100

Ireland's reputation as a leading global golfing destination has been further underlined by amassing nine entries in Golf World magazine's "The World's Top 100 Courses You Can Play", including the number one spot.

Royal County Down, near Newcastle, County Down, topped the rankings beating off competition from some of golf's most iconic venues including American courses Bandon Dunes and Pebble Beach; Scotland's Turnberry; and Royal Lytham and St Annes, venue for this summer's Open Championship.

Royal Portrush's Dunluce course - host of the recent record-breaking Irish Open - ensured Northern Ireland made up 20 per cent of the top ten courses with a seventh-placed ranking.

Dublin and the east coast of Ireland are well-represented with Portmarnock Old (33rd), The European (36th) and County Louth (71st) all featuring.

Remaining accolades were saved for the links-rich south-west with Waterville gaining an 18th placed ranking, alongside Ballybunion Old (40th), Lahinch (56th) and Doonbeg (64th).

The latest Golf World rankings come hot on the heels of a recent poll by leading US magazine Golf Digest, which ranked eight of Ireland's courses inside the top 100 in the world outside America with Royal County Down once more taking first place.

David Boyce, Tourism Ireland's head of business and sports tourism, said: "In the past few weeks we have received glowing endorsements for our golf product on both sides of the Atlantic, via the Golf World and Golf Digest rankings.

"The Golf World poll also demonstrates how accessible our top courses are to visitors who want to come and experience playing world-class golf in a great environment."

With some of the most famous venues across the globe, Ireland offers golfers the complete package with top championship courses, stunning scenery, fascinating history and some of the best craic around.