NORTH WEST IRELAND

Ask an Irishmen where the best kept secret in golf is and they often say the North West and Donegal. However, the recent opening of the spectacular St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna means that the secret is out! The course debuted at number 55 in the world and many believe it has higher to go yet. The standard of golf in the region is high and, as everywhere in Ireland, you will find a tremendously warm welcome.

Your best option for getting to the area is to fly into Dublin from where it’s about a 2 1/2 hour. drive across Ireland to Sligo. It’s likely you will be doing a bit of travelling around on this trip but, if you choose your bases carefully, you will find some excellent areas for nightlife as well as being perfectly positioned for golf.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Tom Doak’s St Patrick’s Links at Rosapenna (ranked 55 in the World) is an incredible creation. Draped over magnificent dunes, the course already feels like it has been there forever. The course has width off the tee, with greens that just merge into the fairways, fully taking advantage of the amazing landscape. It’s maybe one of the most natural feeling courses in Ireland. But what makes a trip to this area so special is the wonderful depth of quality.

Ballyliffin, to the north, has hosted European Tour events and is a future host of the British Amateur Championship. Portsalon, set between Ballymastoker Bay and the Knockalla Mountains is just to the east. Head south and the run of courses is phenomenal - Narin & Portnoo, recently worked on to great effect by Gil Hanse, is yet another spectacular course set in the dunes. Cruit Island, nearby, may only be nine holes but it is an exhilerating nine holes!

As you head south, the quality and quantity just keeps going with Donegal, Sligo, Carne and Enniscrone. You are spoilt for choice in this brilliant part of the world where golf is raw and honest, and never dull!

  • St Patrick's

    St Patrick's

    GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 55
    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 13
    GOLF WORLD (UK) GB & I RANKING - 24

    The site at Rosapenna has been described as the last links site in Ireland that will ever be built on. If that’s the case then it is a fitting finale. Doak’s creation is a true modern classic. Inviting from the tee, and devilish around the greens, it is a wonderful test. With two other Irish top 5 courses on site Rosapenna is fast becoming one of the hottest places to visit in all of Ireland.

  • Ballyliffin - Glashedy

    Ballyliffin - Glashedy

    GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 75
    GOLF WORLD MAGAZINE IRELAND RANKING - 16

    There are two courses at Ballyliffin - the Old and The Glashedy - and both are fine tests of your game. The Glashedy is a big course in every way - it’s set in towering dunes and measures over 7,200 yards from the back tees. It has hosted the Irish Open and will host the Amateur Championship in 2024. It may be a modern course (built in the 1990s) but the course blends wonderfully into the dunes against the mountain backdrop.

  • Narin & Portnoo

    Narin & Portnoo

    GOLF WORLD IRELAND MAGAZINE - 32

    Golf has been played at Nairn & Portnoo since the early twentieth century but recent work by acclaimed architect Gill Hanse and his associate Jim Wagner has elevated the course to something really very special. They moved tees and greens, created new holes (and left some alone) to create a really fun course. The land is spectacular. Sitting close to the water, with significant dunes, the canvas was begging for a world class design, which is what they now have.

  • CRUIT ISLAND

    CRUIT ISLAND

    GOLF WORLD (UK) IRELAND RANKING - 39

    At the end of a long, winding, single track road you will find a course that could be one of the best and most fun courses anywhere. It’s only 2,800 yards long but with 7 par 4s and 2 par 3s it will still test your game. The par 3 6th hole is 140 yards, over a chasm of rocks and beach, meaning that you need to hit it with precision to come out of this hole with a par.

  • Carne

    Carne

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 66
    GOLF WORLD (UK) GB & I RANKING - 56

    In an area with so many wonderful courses, Carne really does stand out as one of the special ones. Perched on the edge of the Atlantic, it is yet another course with a magnificent setting. This feels like a links that has been here forever, yet it was only built in the early 1990s. The dunes are spectacular, the golf exhilarating.

  • Enniscrone

    Enniscrone

    GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 54
    GOLF WORLD (UK) GB & I RANKING - 76

    If you are a fan of golf with towering dunes, rumpled fairways and well-protected greens then you are going to love Enniscrone! There are 27 holes on the property and Eddie Hackett and Donald Steel have created a course which will, at times, take your breath away. A stern, but unforgettable, challenge.

WHERE TO STAY

If you’re playing St Patrick’s then the hotel at Rosapenna is a great choice and is a good base for Ballyliffin, Portsalon, Narin & Portnoo and others. To the south, Donegal and Sligo can be good bases, with plenty going on in both towns and good access to golf.

  • Rosapenna

    Rosapenna

    Not only does Rosapenna have three golf courses but also a luxury hotel with spa and restaurants. Golfing heaven guaranteed!

  • Mount Falcon Estate

    Mount Falcon Estate

    Mount Falcon Estate is a luxury, 32 bedroom, 4-star deluxe hotel with 45 luxury lodges located on the west bank of the River Moy. A great base for Carne and Enniscrone.

  • Glasshouse Sligo

    Glasshouse Sligo

    The Glasshouse towers dramatically over the Garavogue River and offers the discerning traveller chic interiors, great city views and proximity to all downtown Sligo has to offer.

 SAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1

We will meet you at Dublin airport and transfer you to your hire car or private vehicle with driver.

From here you travel to Enniscrone for your first round - less than three hour’s drive from Dublin. Erriscrone will be a wonderful introduction to Irish golf with its fast running ground and massive dunes.

Following the round you head to Mount Falcon Estate where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. There’s plenty to do at this award-winning hotel, from falconry to fishing and we will be delighted to organise some ‘extra’ activities for you during your stay.

DAY 2

After breakfast you make the journey an hour west to Carne. Carne regularly features high up in Top 100 lists of GB & Ireland and for good reason. The recent addition of a further nine holes has elevated this course still further. You should aim to play all 27 holes on the property to get the full Carne experience! You can see how No Laying Up fared at Carne here -

DAY 3

Today you start to travel north, with a round at Sligo in Rosses Point. Harry Colt designed the traditional links layout to utilise the natural contours of the dune-covered landscape rather than requiring the movement of large amounts of earth. The end result is a course filled with dramatic undulations, elevated tees, and raised plateau greens.

After the round, head north to Donegal and check in to Lough Eske Castle hotel. Lough Eske Castle dates to the 15th century and is closely identified with the O'Donnell Clan, the founding fathers of Donegal. Set in a secluded storybook location within 43 acres of native woodland on the shores of Lough Eske it has the dramatic Bluestack Mountains as a stunning backdrop.

DAY 4

Today it’s just a short journey to Donegal golf club. Darren Clarke, the 2011 Open Champion and member, states that Donegal Golf Club is 'one of my favourite courses in the world' and it’s easy to see why, with a lovely setting that extends out into the Atlantic Ocean. More great links gold!

After the round you can go back to relax in the hotel or head into Donegal to explore the town, listen to some live music and maybe enjoy a Guinness or two.

Picture - www.donegalgolfclub.ie

DAY 5

It’s an early start to make the 45 minutes journey to Narin & Portnoo Golf Club. Once again, the coastal setting is wonderful but the course has really been elevated in recent years by some excellent work from Gil Hanse. He moved tees and greens, created new holes (and left some alone) to create a really fun course. The land is spectacular. Sitting close to the water, with significant dunes, the canvas was begging for a world class design, which is what they now have!

After the round you will drive 45 minutes north to Cruit Island. Cruit is a short 9-hole course which is loads of fun and well worth playing. It’s short - measuring only 2800 yards - however there are seven par 4s and only two par 3s. This actually makes for some testing holes where length is a factor. The course lies along the coast of this wild peninsula (not an island despite the name) and the design ensures it incorporates the coastline to full effect. The quirks start on arrival, with the entrance road bisecting the fairway in the landing area. Cars are requested to beep their horns by way of warning! You’ll love it!

Then, it’s just over an hour’s drive to Rosapenna - a lovely hotel with a spa and three golf courses. The courses are a constant topic of discussion amongst guests who always want to debate which is the best! We would recommend you try to play all three when here so you can decide for yourself!

DAY 6

Today you can choose whether to play 36 holes or stick to 18. You should definitely consider making the half an hour drive to Portsalon where you will find an excellent links course sandwiched between the bay and mountains. It’s another one of the links courses around here where nature has created a lovely golf course.

After playing at Portsalon, return to Rosapenna and decide whether to play the Old Tom Morris course or Sandy Hills. Both are highly rated in Ireland and will give you a great taste of Rosapenna golf.

It’s just a short stroll into Downings if you fancy a night out with the locals in one of the great pubs in town.

DAY 7

St Patrick’s Links is causing a stir all round the world and fast gaining a reputation as one of Tom Doak’s finest courses. It is built on spectacular dunes and it feels like it has been on this ground forever. The scale is incredible but it’s also a tremendously fun course to play. One of Ireland’s very special courses!

Picture - Clyde Johnson

After the round enjoy dinner, looking back over your week’s adventures, and maybe planning your next trip to the Emerald Isle! We guarantee you’ll want to come back.

DAY 8
Today you head back to Dublin for your transfers home. It’s about a four hour drive, so an early start would give you time to play one of the fine courses in the Dublin area on the way. Or you could extend your stay with a few days in Dublin. You’re never short of great golf in Ireland!

This is just one sample itinerary for an Irish golf trip. Contact us now to discuss how we can help you put together the perfect Irish trip just for you!

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