Craigavad, County Down · Founded 1881
Ireland’s oldest golf club
Still played the way it was meant to be.
- 1881
- Founded at Kinnegar
- 1926
- Colt at Craigavad
- 6,309
- Yards of parkland
- 18
- Holes above Belfast Lough
01—The Club
A warm welcome awaits at Craigavad
A warm welcome awaits you at The Royal Belfast Golf Club, Ireland’s oldest golf club, established in 1881. We’re proud to bear the prestigious “Royal” designation as one of only three such courses in Northern Ireland, and one of only five on the island of Ireland.
Just 20 minutes from Belfast city centre and set on the shores of Belfast Lough, Royal Belfast is an ideal choice for visitors looking for a golf course near Belfast or planning a Northern Ireland golf trip – a club where history, heritage and a warm Irish welcome come together.
02—Celebrating 100 Years at Craigavad
1926 – 2026
The Craigavad Estate became home to The Royal Belfast Golf Club in 1926, when the Club commissioned legendary golf architect Harry S. Colt to design an 18-hole parkland course, which opened in September 1926.
05—Course Overview
6,309 yards of Harry Colt parkland
Measuring 6,309 yards, Royal Belfast offers a rewarding challenge for golfers of all skill levels, set against one of the most picturesque backdrops in Ireland.
The course emphasises precision over power, with strategically placed bunkers and subtly contoured, lightning-fast greens that demand both skill and strategy. Practice facilities include two dedicated putting greens and a short iron practice range. Royal Belfast is proud to have been recognised as the IGTOA Parkland Golf Course of the Year and has been named Best Parkland Golf Course in Ulster by the Golfer’s Guide to Ireland.
06—Visitors
Green fees & visitor tee times
Royal Belfast extends a warm welcome visitors from around the world, though we do request that they are members of recognised golf clubs. Handicap certificates may be required.
Perfectly situated between Royal Portrush (just 1½ hours away) and Royal County Down (only 1 hour), Royal Belfast is an essential stop on any golfer’s itinerary.
07—Clubhouse
A Victorian clubhouse, built 1852
Royal Belfast’s magnificent Victorian Clubhouse, originally built in 1852, blends timeless elegance with modern comfort. Honoured as Clubhouse of the Year 2024 by the Golfer’s Guide to Ireland, it stands as a symbol of tradition, hospitality, and understated luxury.
