Approaching The Island Golf Club, hidden amid the rugged dunes north of Dublin, there’s a sense of entering golf as it was meant to be played. Established in 1890 and once accessible only by boat across the estuary, this is a course steeped in history and defined by its natural setting.

The layout winds through some of the tallest dunes on Ireland’s east coast, creating a links that is as dramatic visually as it is demanding to play. Narrow, rumpled fairways thread between dunes, greens are subtly contoured and beautifully sited, and the ever-present winds off the Irish Sea keep the challenge alive. At just over 7,000 yards, it is a stern yet rewarding test, requiring imagination and precision.

Renovations by Martin Hawtree have sharpened its championship edge, and The Island now regularly features among Ireland’s top-ranked courses. The atmosphere is elemental – sea, sky, dune and turf combining to deliver a round that feels both timeless and unforgettable.