In 2019, Shane Lowry walked up the 18th fairway at Royal Portrush with a six-shot lead, and the roar that greeted him was something quite different from any other sound in golf. It was the noise of 40,000 Irish voices telling their man he had done it — a wall of raw emotion on a clifftop above the Atlantic. The Open Championship at Royal Portrush returns in 2026, and it will be one of the great sporting weekends of the year. Here is everything you need to be there.
The Course — Dunluce Links
Royal Portrush's Dunluce Links is among the finest golf courses in the world, and it is the only one in Ireland to have hosted The Open. The course runs along a ridgeline above the North Antrim coast, with the Atlantic Ocean visible on most holes and the ruins of Dunluce Castle visible from several. The fairways are tight, the rough is severe, and the wind — almost constant — changes the character of every hole every hour.
Key holes to watch from the course:
- Calamity Corner (14th): A par three that drops sharply to a narrow green with a ravine on the right — one of the most photographed holes in links golf
- White Rocks (5th): A long par four with a view across to the White Rocks beach and the sea cliffs — the most scenic hole on the course
- 17th and 18th: The closing stretch finishes in the natural amphitheatre around the clubhouse — the best place to stand for the final hours of any round
Getting There — Belfast International to Portrush
Royal Portrush sits at the northern tip of Northern Ireland, an hour from Belfast:
- Belfast International Airport: Main hub, served from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Book flights 3–6 months ahead — Open week prices rise sharply
- George Best Belfast City Airport: Smaller, closer to Belfast city centre, served from several UK airports. More convenient if staying in Belfast
- By car from Belfast: 60–70 minutes on the A26, then A44. Parking near Portrush is extremely limited during the Open — shuttle buses from satellite car parks are the recommended option
- By train: Translink operates Belfast–Portrush services; journey time around 75 minutes with a change at Coleraine. A shuttle train service is typically expanded for Open week — check Translink's website for specific Open 2026 timetables
Where to Stay
Accommodation options in strict order of preference:
- Portrush itself: The ideal base — Atlantic Hotel, Comfort Hotel, dozens of B&Bs along the Promenade. These book out within days of tickets going on sale. If you see availability, book without hesitation
- Portstewart: Two miles west of Portrush, with its own fine strand and good guesthouses. Walkable to the course in theory; more realistically a short drive or bus
- Coleraine: The nearest market town inland, 20 minutes away. More availability, lower prices, good transport links
- Belfast: 60–70 minutes away but a genuinely excellent base — brilliant food scene, superb hotels, and a city worth several days of exploration. Commuting by train is realistic for fans willing to travel each day
Beyond Golf — The Causeway Coast
The Causeway Coast and Glens region surrounding Portrush is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Europe:
- Giant's Causeway: 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago. Twelve minutes from Portrush; book National Trust timed entry in advance. Go at dawn if possible — the site is extraordinary without the coach-tour crowds
- Dark Hedges: An 18th-century beech tree avenue near Armoy, made famous by Game of Thrones. 25 minutes from Portrush; best visited early morning
- Dunluce Castle: The ruined medieval castle above the sea cliffs, visible from the course. The setting is genuinely spectacular — built on a basalt outcrop connected to the mainland by a narrow bridge
- Bushmills Distillery: The world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery (1608), five minutes from the Giant's Causeway. Tours run daily; book ahead during Open week
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: A 20-metre rope bridge connecting the mainland to a small island, 25 minutes from Portrush — seasonal, book via National Trust
Belfast — Worth a Day or Two
If you're travelling from the UK or further, Belfast deserves more than a one-night stopover:
- Titanic Belfast: The world's largest Titanic visitor attraction, built in the very shipyard where she was constructed. Genuinely excellent museum — book tickets online
- Cathedral Quarter: The city's food and drink heart — St Anne's Cathedral, the Duke of York, and dozens of independent restaurants
- Victoria Square: The city centre's main shopping area, with a glass dome offering panoramic views
- Falls and Shankill murals: Black cab tours offer respectful and contextualised tours of the famous political murals — an important piece of modern history
On the Course — Watching Strategy
The Open is a walking event. Unlike most sports, you follow the players:
- Walk with a group early in the week: On Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds, the atmosphere is relaxed, players are accessible, and you can shadow your favourite. Autographs are common on practice days
- Stand at key holes on Thursday and Friday: Calamity Corner and the 18th amphitheatre are the best static spots for the competitive rounds
- Use the leaderboard boards strategically: Follow the largest boards to find where the leaders are during weekend rounds
- The 1st tee: The electric silence-then-explosion of the first tee shot is worth experiencing at least once during the week
Practical Tips
- Ticket types: Practice day tickets (Tuesday/Wednesday) are the best value and most relaxed. Championship day tickets (Thursday–Sunday) book out fast — check The R&A's official ticket page
- Always bring a waterproof: The North Antrim coast is beautiful in all weathers and brutal in some. A proper waterproof jacket — not a fashion one — is essential
- Early entry perks: Gates open early; arriving for the first tee time means quieter first holes, better close-up views, and a more relaxed atmosphere before the crowds arrive
- Footwear: Golf shoes or good waterproof walking shoes — the links can be wet, firm, or both in the same afternoon
- Cash and cards: Most vendors on site take cards, but cash is useful for smaller stalls near the course perimeter