· Deer Park Hotel Golf & Spa

Set on the grounds of the 15th century Howth Castle near the pretty fishing port of Howth, County Dublin, Deer Park Hotel Golf & Spa offers a 3 star standard of accommodation. It's surrounded on three sides by 400 acres of superb parkland course and boasts magnificent views of Dublin Bay.

It's situated about 15km north east of Dublin city center and has easy access to the M1. If you're a keen golfer, this course offers a challenge suiting golfers of all levels.

The accommodation is made up of comfortable and nicely decorated bedrooms. There's an excellent restaurant, namely Four Earls Restaurant and a café/restaurant called Palm Tree Bistro. There are also leisure facilities in abundance here including a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and a spa - the perfect way to relax after a day on the greens.

· Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

With stylish and comfortable guest bedrooms, the 4 star Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links is a fantastic base for a golfing break. It's only about a 10-minute drive from Dublin International Airport and roughly 25 minutes from the vibrant and exciting Dublin City Centre

Overlooking one of Dublin's best beaches this fine 18-hole golf links was designed by Bernhard Langer - it's one of the finest courses in the county.

The hotel is certainly not lacking in facilities. There's the award winning Osbourne Restaurant, for afternoon tea there's The Cocktail Bar, and for a relaxing drink after a round or too of golf there's The Jameson Bar.

If business is on the agenda there are state of the art business facilities and you can indulge in some well deserved pampering in the fantastic Oceana Spa.

· Citywest Hotel & Golf Resort

The 4 star Citywest Hotel & Golf Resort is another excellent choice. Set on 180 acres of woodland in Saggart, County Dublin, it's only about 15km from Dublin International Airport and 20km from the city centre.

As well as two fantastic (and challenging) golf courses designed by Christy O'Connor Jr, the hotel has top class conference & leisure facilities. The business facilities include one convention centre that can cater for up to 3,500 delegates and 19 fully air conditioned meeting rooms. The leisure club has a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room as well as a heated caldarium. And if all this isn't enough there's also a luxury spa.

The accommodation at the Citywest Hotel & Golf Resort is made up of an impressive array of guest bedrooms. The hotel also offers fine dining in the form of The Terrace Restaurant, which serves a carvery lunch and in the evenings you can choose from A La Carte and Table d'Hote menus. There's also the popular Lemongrass Restaurant which specialises in Asian cuisine.

· Roganstown Golf & Country Club

The Roganstown Golf and Country Club Hotel also offers 4 star facilities. It has a fantastic location near the village of Swords in North County Dublin. It's only about a 5-minute drive from Dublin Airport and it will take you roughly 25 minutes to get to the city centre from here.

The hotel boasts 52 luxury bedrooms and is literally bursting at the seams with guest facilities. As well as a state of the art conference and business centre there's the Roganstown Leisure Club, which includes a 17 metre heated indoor swimming pool, and for some serious pampering and beauty therapies there's the Sakura Spa.

For golf enthusiasts the on site course was designed by Christy O'Connor Jr and offers excellent playing conditions. And to round off the day McLoughlin's Restaurant offers fine cuisine and for a relaxing drink there's the cosy O'Callaghan's Bar.

· Castleknock Hotel & Country Club

Another Dublin hotel is the 4 star Castleknock Hotel & Country Club which is located just outside the charming village of Castleknock, County Dublin. It has easy access to the M50 motorway and is only about 9km from Dublin City Centre and 13km from Dublin International Airport.

The 6,700 square metre golf course, originally the Somerton Estate, was designed by Jonathan Gaunt. This challenging 18-hole parkland course is perfect for a round or two of golf.

As well as 144 stylish bedrooms there's plenty on offer to keep guests entertained. The hotel offers excellent business facilities made up of 13 modern air conditioned rooms. And there are also leisure facilities in abundance. These include an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a jacuzzi and a steam room while Club Tonic offers a range of health facilities and beauty therapies to rejuvenate both body and soul.

Add to this The Park Restaurant, Fionn Uisce Bar and The Lime Tree Bar and you've found yourself a little haven on the outskirts of Ireland's capital.

So if you love golfing Dublin should be top of the list. County Dublin has a great golfing tradition and offers excellent golf courses.