Two of Ireland’s best-known golf destinations sit on opposite sides of Dublin from the airport: Portmarnock, a links course on a peninsula just north of the city, and the K Club in Straffan, County Kildare, west of the city and the site of the 2006 Ryder Cup. Neither is a difficult transfer, but golf clubs change the logistics of getting there — most rank taxis aren’t set up for a full golf bag, and the airline fee you paid to fly your clubs over is wasted if you can’t get them from the terminal to the course without a fight.
This guide covers what makes each destination worth the trip, realistic transfer times, and the golf-bag detail that catches people out.
Golf transfer from Dublin Airport?
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Portmarnock Golf Club
Portmarnock is a 27-hole links course on a peninsula on Dublin’s north coast, established in 1894 and regularly ranked among the world’s top 100 courses. It has genuine championship history: the Irish Open has been played there 19 times since 1927, it hosted the Walker Cup in 1991 and the Amateur Championship twice (1949 and 2019), and Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead won the Canada Cup there in 1960.
From Dublin Airport: Portmarnock is close — about 9 to 10km, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by road depending on traffic, making it one of the most straightforward airport-to-course transfers in Ireland. There’s no real logistical challenge here beyond the golf bag itself.
The K Club
The K Club, in Straffan, County Kildare, is best known for hosting the 2006 Ryder Cup on its Palmer Course (also called the North Course) — Europe’s third consecutive win, and the first time the event was held in Ireland. It’s a resort property with two championship courses, both designed with Arnold Palmer’s involvement.
From Dublin Airport: About 36km, roughly 35 minutes by road in normal traffic, heading west rather than the short north-coast run to Portmarnock.
Getting Your Clubs There: The Part People Underestimate
Airline fees. Both major carriers into Dublin charge for golf clubs as sports equipment, separate from standard baggage. Ryanair allows up to 20kg per item for €30 if booked online in advance (rising to €40 if added at the airport). Aer Lingus allows up to 23kg per person for €40 online (€50 at the airport), charged each way — though the fee is waived for Business Class passengers. Book the golf bag online when you book the flight; adding it at the desk costs more and risks a delay if the flight is already tight on space.
Getting from the terminal to the course. This is where most golfers hit a real friction point. A standard rank taxi is built for passengers and cabin bags, not a full golf bag plus a travel case — drivers aren’t obligated to take an oversized item, and a group of three or four golfers with bags plus luggage genuinely won’t fit in a standard saloon. Rank marshals will eventually find a larger car, but it’s not guaranteed at busy times, and you’re negotiating this after a long flight.
A pre-booked transfer sized for golf bags removes the guesswork. Specify the number of bags and passengers when you book, and the vehicle that shows up is the right size — no negotiation at the rank, no fitting a bag across your lap for the drive to Kildare.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Portmarnock from Dublin Airport?
About 9 to 10km, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by road — one of the shortest airport-to-course transfers available in Ireland.
How far is the K Club from Dublin Airport?
About 36km, roughly 35 minutes by road heading west toward Straffan, County Kildare.
What’s the K Club known for?
Hosting the 2006 Ryder Cup on its Palmer Course — the first time the event was held in Ireland, and Europe’s third consecutive win.
How much does it cost to bring golf clubs on Ryanair or Aer Lingus?
Ryanair: up to 20kg per item, €30 booked online in advance (€40 if added at the airport). Aer Lingus: up to 23kg per person, €40 online (€50 at the airport), charged each way — free for Business Class passengers. Book online at the time of booking your flight for the lower fee.
Can a regular taxi take golf clubs from Dublin Airport?
Sometimes, for one bag and a solo traveller, but it’s not guaranteed — standard saloons at the rank aren’t built for multiple golf bags plus luggage, and drivers can decline an item that won’t fit. A pre-booked transfer sized for the number of bags and passengers avoids the problem entirely.
Is Portmarnock a links course?
Yes — a genuine seaside links on a peninsula, one of the reasons it’s consistently ranked among the world’s best courses despite its relatively short drive from Dublin Airport.
