North-West Ireland

Hidden Gems & Towering Dunes

North-West Ireland

Donegal, Sligo, and Mayo are home to some of Ireland's most spectacular and underplayed links. Massive dune systems and uncrowded tee sheets define this region.

Key Courses

Plan a Trip to North-West Ireland

North-West Ireland — Course Map

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🇮🇪 North-West Ireland, Ireland

Rosapenna — St Patrick's Links

Location
Downings, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Opened
2021
Designer
Tom Doak (Renaissance Golf Design)
Rankings
5th best golf course in Ireland, top100golfcourse.com

Tom Doak's St Patrick's Links opened in 2021 at the Rosapenna Resort in Donegal, on a piece of historic linksland that he'd long described as some of the finest he'd ever seen. The result is a true minimalist masterpiece — wide fairways laid through massive natural dunes, expansive greens that follow the contours of the existing terrain, and ocean views from nearly every hole as the course rolls out toward Sheephaven Bay. It rocketed onto every world ranking immediately, frequently appearing alongside its sister course Sandy Hills and the great Irish links of Royal County Down and Portmarnock.

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🇮🇪 North-West Ireland, Ireland

Ballyliffin — Glashedy

Location
Ballyliffin, County Donegal
Opened
1995
Designer
Pat Ruddy
Events
2018 Irish Open
Rankings
66th best golf course in England, top100golfcourse.com

Host of the 2018 Irish Open, won by Scotland’s Russell Knox after besting Ryan Fox in a playoff, Ballyliffin’s newer course, open in 1995, has the benefit of playing in the dunes as if it is older than it is. The same can be said about Pat Ruddy’s architecture, which blends in seamlessly to provide a first-rate golf experience, even if it is noticeably newer than other golf courses in the area. If dunes, windswept links golf, and an enjoyable round of golf are of importance to a golf trip, Glashedy is a must.

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🇮🇪 North-West Ireland, Ireland

Rosapenna — Sandy Hills

Location
Carrickart, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Opened
2003
Designer
Pat Ruddy
Rankings
12th best golf course in Ireland, top100golfcourse.com

While classic Irish links generally play at the bottom of valleys below the towering dunes, Irishman Pat Ruddy decided to mix things up, routing holes directly through the middle of the dunes at Sandy Hills in a rather unconventional way. Regardless helps Sandy Hills stand out, especially in contrast to Old Tom Morris’ golf course at Rosapenna, and the new Tom Doak golf course. The chance to play through, over, and around dunes in a way unseen is perhaps the best reason to see Sandy Hills, but there is enough here to charm those who visit.

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🇮🇪 North-West Ireland, Ireland

Ballyliffin — Old

Location
Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Opened
1947
Designer
Eddie Hackett & Frank Pennink (with later refinements by Nick Faldo)
Rankings
21st best golf course in Ireland, top100golfcourse.com

Ballyliffin's Old Links, hailed by Tom Watson as "the most natural golf course I have ever played," winds through rumpled, dunes-dotted terrain on the wild Inishowen Peninsula — the northernmost course on mainland Ireland. Nick Faldo refreshed the routing in 2007, but the spirit of the original 1947 layout remains: bumps, hollows, blind shots, and the kind of quirky, walked-into-by-accident character that defines truly authentic Irish links golf. Played alongside its modern sibling Glashedy at the same club, the Old Links offers a vivid contrast between two great styles of links design.

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🇮🇪 North-West Ireland, Ireland

Carne Golf Links

Location
Belmullet, County Mayo
Opened
1992
Designer
Eddie Hackett
Rankings
14th best golf course in Ireland, top100golfcourse.com

Described as “wild and natural,” Carne is Eddie Hackett’s last design, and some will argue his finest. Beautiful, gently rolling land over a fairly perfect site for golf allowed Mr. Hackett to simply find greens and tees, the occasion bunker, and as a result, the 14th best golf course in Ireland, according to UK-based Top 100 Golf Courses. A trip to Ireland’s west coast is incomplete without Carne, and make sure to visit the new 9 hole course from Ally Macintosh, which is now being included in the “best 9 hole courses in the world” discussions.

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🇮🇪 North-West Ireland, Ireland

Enniscrone

Location
Enniscrone, County Sligo
Opened
1974
Designer
Eddie Hackett
Rankings
15th best golf course in Ireland, top100golfcourse.com

Ireland is best-known for massive, towering sand dunes overlooking fairways, tees, and greens, but perhaps more than anywhere else, Enniscrone embodies that reputation and provides a thrilling experience that is second to none. Wind is normal, as it winds through the dunes to provide an interesting and challenging experience. Even though the towering dunes loom over the fairways, there is a surprising amount of space to play here, allowing golfers of all skill levels to enjoy a round at Enniscrone.

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🇮🇪 North-West Ireland, Ireland

County Sligo (Rosses Point)

Location
County Sligo, Ireland
Opened
1894
Designer
George Combe & Willie Campbell
Rankings
8th best golf course in Ireland, top100golfcourse.com

An exceptional golf course, jutting out into Drumcliffe Bay coming in from North Atlantic Sea. Long views of the Dirty Mountains and Benbulben, Limestone Mountain, Ox Mountain, and the clifftops add another element to this excellent golfing option, further enhanced by Harry Colt & Hugh Alison, two of the best architects of all time. For those looking for intense stretches of golf, the 11th through 17th is among the best in Ireland, while the rest of the golf course is beautifully challenging, with varied terrain, burns, ditches, bunkers, and more.

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🇮🇪 North-West Ireland, Ireland

Donegal (Murvagh)

Location
Laghey, County Donegal
Opened
1973
Designer
Eddie Hackett
Rankings
20th best golf course in Ireland, top100golfcourse.com

A mighty golf course by all standards, Donegal clocks in at over 7,400 golf courses, making this one of the longest golf courses in the country. Coupled with a flamboyant layout, including dunes, crinkled fairways, and brilliantly situated bunkers around smaller greens, and Donegal is a beast in itself. Thankfully, Eddie Hackett and subsequent work by Pat Ruddy have this a playable, challenging beast, where everyone can enjoy the layout; this is a must play.

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🇮🇪 North-West Ireland, Ireland

Narin & Portnoo

Location
An Fhearthainn, County Donegal
Opened
2018
Designer
Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner
Rankings
18th best golf course in Ireland, top100golfcourse.com

As part of the revitalization of a handful of Irish resorts or golf clubs, American Gil Hanse & Jim Wagner take on Narin & Portnoo, a wild, rugged links combining with their usual calling cards. Notably, Gil Hanse has build Ohoopee Match Club, Streamsong Black, Pinehurst No. 4 and others to critical acclaim, which feature wild greens, big, blowout style bunkers, and strategy from start to finish. For those seeking an enthralling experience, Narin & Portnoo is the perfect place to stop on an Irish golf trip.

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