The June issue of Golf Digest Ireland contains the Top 100 Ranked Golf Courses in Ireland. For a second-year running, the number one course is Royal County Down and Portmarnock's position of number two is also the same as last year. Further down the order, however, there is some interesting movement in the Top-10 in which Ballybunion (Old) has climbed from fourth to third. See 2009 list here

Golf Digest Ireland rated Royal County Down as Ireland's No 1 course in 2008.This means that Adare Manor goes down to number four, but it remains the top-ranked parkland course in the country, by a significant margin. The European Club remains fifth; Waterville remains sixth but the Co Louth links at Baltray has moved up one, to seventh place. The most significant movement at the upper end of the Top-10, however, has been by Lahinch, which is up from 11th to eighth. This can be attributable to the growing impact of a major remodelling by English golf-course architect, Martin Hawtree. Royal Portrush comes in at ninth with tenth place being awarded to the K Club Palmer Course, venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup.

According to Linton Walsh, managing director, Golf Digest Ireland, “movement is evident on this year’s list, due to a massive investment which has seen significant upgrading of a number of courses. After the publication of last year's list, the magazine contacted all of the courses on this island, requesting information on any work that was being undertaken. Replies were received from 53 of these clubs. A member of the panel or a PGA member inspected each of these courses and the improvements were duly noted during voting on this year’s list. In total 33 clubs moved up the list, 44 moved down, 12 remained the same and there were 11 new entries”.

As with last year's list, credibility was considered to be critical and in this context, Golf Digest Ireland is once again indebted to Padraig O hUiginn, who acted as chairman.

On his appointment as chairman of Failte Ireland (then Bord Failte) in 1993, O hUiginn became a very influential figure in the game in this country and played a crucial role in bringing last year’s Ryder Cup to these shores. His credibility within the game is further enhanced by his position as chairman of the Irish Golf Trust.

Other members of the panel were: Ada O’Sullivan (Former Curtis Cup captain), Michael McCummiskey (Gen Sec PGA Irish Region); Mark Gannon (Royal and Ancient selector); John Quigley (Immediate Past President of the Irish Association of Golf Club Secretaries) and Dermot Gilleece (Editor, Golf Digest Ireland).

The Top 100 were selected in groups of 10, which meant, that any course which went close to making the top-10, automatically came into consideration for the second-10, and so on down the list. After a discussion on each group of courses, an individual, written vote was taken, with points being awarded to each course in order of preference, from 10 down to one. The counted votes then determined the order of preference.

According to Dermot Gilleece, Editor of Golf Digest Ireland and panel member, "Martin Hawtree has had a major impact on our golfing terrain since plying his craft in this country. Hawtree has been involved in upgrading courses work at Lahinch (8) and Royal Dublin (14), which had a very successful staging of the Irish Amateur Open Strokeplay Championship recently. His company were also responsible for the design of the new, 27-hole complex at Dun Laoghaire GC, which is a newcomer to the list at 56th. Royal Dublin improved its ranking by nine on this year’s list and other significant movers in the Top 25 include Killarney's Killeen Course at 12th, the Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin (17) and Portmarnock Links (25). All of these venues have invested heavily in their courses in recent years. Meanwhile, a consistently high quality of presentation since the Walker Cup, has helped Royal Co Down maintain its position at the top”.

“The addition of John Quigley and Mark Gannon to this year’s panel added a fresh dimension to the process and their input was invaluable”, added Gilleece.

Two trophies were commissioned from Waterford Crystal for the overall winner, Royal County Down and the top parkland course in Ireland, Adare Manor.

Golf Digest Ireland has been established in Ireland for six years and has 84,582 readers in Ireland, both north and south. Golf Digest Ireland is every golfer’s complete guide to the good life. The magazine is a one stop shop that gives the reader everything they need to know about how to play, what to play and where to play. It’s committed to publishing the best and brightest, ideas and images of golf’s greatest writers, teachers and players.

Dermot Gilleece is the magazine’s editor and contributing editors include Ireland’s Philip Reid, Liam Kelly, Brian Keogh, Karl MacGinty, Jack Magowan, Paul Gallagher and Nicky Barry. The very best of Irish golf journalism. The tuition is provided exclusively by Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Annika Sorenstam, Brendan McDaid, Phil Mickelson, David Leadbetter, Butch Harmon, Hank Haney, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.

1  Royal County Down
Position – Same
Where – Co. Down
http://www.royalcountydown.org

2  Portmarnock (old)
Position – Same
Where – Dublin
http://www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie

3  Ballybunion (Old)
Position – UP 1
Where – Co. Kerry
http://www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie

4  Adare Manor
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Limerick
http://www.adaregolfclub.com

5  The European Club
Position – Same
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.theeuropeanclub.com

6  Waterville
Position – Same
Where – Co. Kerry
http://www.watervillegolf.ie

7  Co Louth
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Louth
http://www.countylouthgolfclub.com

8  Lahinch
Position – Up 3
Where – Co. Clare
http://www.lahinchgolf.com

9  Royal Portrush
Position – Down 2
Where – Co. Antrim
http://www.royalrportrushgolfclub.com

10 The K Club (Palmer Course)
 Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Kildare
http://www.kclub.ie

11 Mount Juliet
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Kilkenny
http://www.mountjuliet.ie

12 Killarney (Killeen Course)
Position – Up 4
Where – Co. Kerry
http://www.killarney-golf.com

13 Tralee
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Kerry
http://www.traleegolfclub.com

14 Royal Dublin
Position – Up 9
Where – Dublin
http://www.theroyaldublingolfclub.com

15 The Heritage
Position – Same
Where – Co. Laois
http://www.theheritage.com

16 Co Sligo
Position – Down 3
Where – Co. Sligo
http://www.countysligogolfclub.ie

17 Ballyliffin (Glashedy Links)
Position – Up 3
Where – Co. Donegal
http://www.ballyliffingolfclub.com

18 Carton House (Montgomerie Course)
Position – Down 4
Where – Co. Kildare
http://www.cartonhouse.com

19 The Island
Position – Same
Where – Dublin
http://www.theislandgolfclub.com

20 Druids Glen 
 Position – Down 2
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.druidsglen.ie

21 Carne
Position – Same
Where – Co. Mayo
http://www.belmulletgolfclub.ie

22 Fota Island
Position – Same
Where – Co. Cork
http://www.fotaisland.com

23 Portstewart (Strand)
Position – Down 6
Where – Co. Derry
http://www.portstewartgc.co.uk

24 The Old Head of Kinsale
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Cork
http://www.oldhead.com

25 Portmarnock Links
Position – Up 4
Where – Co. Dublin
http://www.portmarnock.com

26 Headfort (New)
Position – Same
Where – Co. Meath
http://www.headfortgolfclub.ie

27 PGA National
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Kildare
http://www.palmerstownhouse.com

28 Luttrellstown Castle
Position – Up 3
Where – Co. Dublin
http://www.luttrellstowncastleresort.com

29 Doonbeg Links
Position – Down 5
Where – Co. Clare
http://www.doonbeggolfclub.com

30 Carlow  
 Position – Down 3
Where – Co. Carlow
http://www.carlowgolfclub.com

31 Castlerock
Position – Up 3
Where – Co. Derry
http://www.castlerockgc.co.uk

32 Glasson
Position – Down 2
Where – Co. Westmeath
http://www.glassongolf.ie

33 Mullingar
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Westmeath
http://www.mullingargolfclub.com

34 Enniscrone
Position – Up 12
Where – Co. Sligo
http://www.enniscronegolf.com

35 Malone
Position – Down 2
Where – Co Antrim
http://www.malonegolfclub.co.uk

36 Belvoir Park
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Antrim
http://www.belvoirparkgolfclub.co.uk

37 Cork
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Cork
http://www.corkgolfclub.ie

38 Dundalk
Position – Same
Where – Co. Louth
http://www.dubndalkgolfclub.ie

39 Donegal (Murvagh Links)
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Donegal
http://www.donegalgolfclub.ie

40 Slieve Russell
 Position – Down 5
Where – Co. Cavan
http://www.quinnhotels.com

41 The K Club (Smurfit Course)
Position – Up 2
Where – Co. Kildare
http://www.kclub.ie

42 Carton House (O'Meara Course)
Position – Same
Where – Co. Kildare
http://www.cartonhouse.com

43 Powerscourt (East Course)
Position – Up 15
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.powerscourtgolf.ie

44 Rosapenna (Sandy Hills)
Position – Up 16
Where – Co. Donegal
http://www.rosapennagolflinks.ie

45 Ballyliffin (Old Links)
Position – Up 19
Where – Co. Donegal
http://www.ballyliffingolfclub.com

46 Mount Wolseley
Position – Up 6
Where – Co. Carlow
http://www.mountwolseleymembersclub.ie

47 Tullamore
Position – Up 3
Where – Co. Offaly
http://www.tullamoregolfclub.ie

48 Westport
Position – Down 4
Where – Co. Mayo
http://www.westportgolfclub.com

49 Rathsallagh
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.rathsallagh.com

50 Seapoint
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Louth
http://www.seapointgolfclub.com

51 Hermitage
Position – Down 12
Where – Co. Dublin
http://www.hermitagegolf.ie

52 Knightsbrook
Position – Up 16
Where – Co. Meath
http://www.knightsbrook.com

53 Dromoland Castle
Position – Down 12
Where – Co. Clare
http://www.dromoland.ie

54 Dooks
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Kerry
http://www.dooks.com

55 Dundrum House
Position – Down 2
Where – Co. Tipperary
http://www.dundrumhousehotel.com

56 Dun Laoghaire
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.dunlaoghairegolfclub.ie

57 Hilton Templepatrick
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Down
http://www.hilton.com

58 Connemara
Position – Down 4
Where – Co. Galway
http://www.connemaragolflinks.com

59 Tulfarris
Position – Down 14
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.tulfarris.com

60 St. Margaret’s
Position – Down 4
Where – Co. Dublin
http://www.stmargaretsgolf.com

61 Rosslare
Position – Down 2
Where – Co. Wexford
http://www.rosslaregolf.com

62 New Forest
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Westmeath
http://www.newforest.ie

63 Killarney (Mahony’ Point)
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Kerry
http://www.killarney-golf.com

64 Athlone
Position – Up 10
Where – Co. Roscommon
http://www.athlonegolfclub.ie

65 Esker Hills
Position – Down 18
Where – Co. Offaly
http://www.eskerhillsgolf.com

66 Roganstown
Position – Up 14
Where – Co. Dublin
http://www.roganstown.com

67 Shannon
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Clare
http://www.shannongolf.com

68 Woodbrook
Position – Up 8
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.woodbrook.ie

69 Grange
Position – Up 1
Where – Dublin
http://www.grangegolfclub.ie

70 Portsalon
Position – Down 3
Where – Co. Donegal
http://www.portsalongolfclub.ie

71 Skellig Bay
Position – Down 5
Where – Co. Kerry
http://www.skelligbay.com

72 Ring of Kerry
Position – Down 15
Where – Co. Kerry
http://www.ringofkerrygolf.com

73 Clandeboye
Position – Down 22
Where – Co. Down
http://www.cgc-ni.com

74 Castleknock
Position – Down 2
Where – Dublin
http://www.castleknockgolfclub.com

75 Bantry Bay
Position – Down 2
Where – Co. Cork
http://www.bantrygolf.com

76 Royal Belfast
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Down
http://www.royalbelfast.com

77 Ballybunion (Cashen)
Position – Down 14
Where – Co. Kerry
http://www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie

78 Castle
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Dublin
http://www.castlegc.ie

79 Moyvalley
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Kildare
http://www.moyvalley.com

80 Narin and Portnoo
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Donegal
http://www.narinportnoogolfclub.ie

81 Laytown and Bettystown
Position – Down 2
Where – Co. Meath
http://www.landb.ie

82 Millicent
Position – Down 13
Where – Co. Kildare
http://www.millicentgolfclub.com

83 Rathcore
Position – Down 18
Where – Co. Meath
http://www.rathcoregolfandcountyclub.com

84 Gowran Park
Position – Down 2
Where – Co. Kilkenny
http://www.gowranpark.ie

85 Monkstown
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Cork
http://www.monkstowngolfclub.com

86 Thurles
Position – Down 3
Where – Co. Tipperary
http://www.thurlesgolfclub.com

87 Waterford
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Waterford
http://www.waterfordgolfclub.com

88 Galgorm Castle
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Antrim
http://www.galgormcastle.co.uk

89 Galway
Position – Same
Where – Galway
http://www.galwaygolf.com

90 Curragh
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Kildare
http://www.curraghgolf.com

91 Tramore
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Waterford
http://www.tramoregolfclub.com

92 Ballycastle
Position – Up 2
Where – Co. Antrim
http://www.ballycastlegolfclub.com

93 Royal Tara
Position – Up 3
Where – Co. Meath
http://www.royaltaragolfclub.com

94 Headfort (Old)
Position – Down 1
Where – Co. Meath
http://www.headfortgolfclub.ie

95 Lee Valley
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Cork
http://www.leevalleygolfclub.com

96 Blainroe
Position – Up 2
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.blainroe.com

97 Ballinrobe
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Mayo
http://www.ballinrobegolfclub.com

98 Woodenbridge
Position – Up 1
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.woodenbridgegolfclub.com

99 Arklow
Position – NEW ENTRY
Where – Co. Wicklow
http://www.arklowgolflinks.com

100 Malahide
Position – Down 25
Where – Co. Dublin
http://www.malahidegolfclub.ie