It's hard to compete with Ballyliffin and Belmullet, but Donegal (also known as Murvagh) certainly does. A massive links (7,300 yard from the tips) isolated between a forest and the wild Atlantic, Donegal is a beguiling challenge - the peace and serenity belying the daunting nature of the links. Another Eddie Hackett design, Donegal will probably beat you up and invite you back.
Dunfanaghy is one of those fascinating links courses that provides entertainment rather than punishment. Not to be underestimated with a par of 68, Dunfanaghy provides respite from the rigours of the bigger links courses. A chance to restore confidence and enjoy some fantastic scenery in a wonderful village atmosphere.
Utterly charming traditional links course in a spectacular setting on the Malin Peninsula. The most northerly course in Ireland along with its sister course Glashedy providing 36 holes of the highest standard that are well worth the travel. The old course is an honest traditional links where the bump-and-run shots on a windy day will enhance any scorecard. Not to be missed!.
A Pat Ruddy designed championship links that will test the skill of even the most seasoned golfer. Greens well protected by deep pot bunkers and dune lined fairways make this a tough of golf on a calm day. When the wind blows, bogey is not a bad score on most holes. In the premier league of links courses but without the premier league price tag. The 36 holes at Ballyliffin should not be missed on any tour of the north.
County Sligo Golf Club is one of Ireland's great Championship Links located on the Rosses Point peninsula, 6km from Sligo. Established in 1894, the present Championship links was designed in 1927 by the famous golfing architect, Harry S. Colt, with a variety of holes to create a test for the very best golfers. Over the years legendary players such as Walter Hagen, Bobby Locke, Henry Cotton, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo and Darren Clarke have made the pilgrimage to this classic course that lies under the imposing shadow of Ben Bulben.
Originally laid out by Old Tom Morris and later improved by James Braid and Harry Vardon, Rosapenna is a charming links. The first ten holes play along Sheephaven Bay between the beach and a range of tall sand dunes. The last eight play inland and uphill in meadow where the high grounds present distracting and delightful views.
A Pat Ruddy designed course that opened in 2003 and possibly the toughest links in the country. The course has great definition with dune lined fairways and greens well protected by bunkers (possibly too well protect for your average Joe who hopes to break 90 on a good day!). One to test and deflate the biggest egos, when you come off the course you golf might be humiliated but the spirit elated for having taken on and survived the challenge.
One of the few courses that Tailor-Made Golf Tours would term as a hidden-gem. Set in the beautiful Ballymastocker Bay on the Fanad Peninsula it is a golfers treat. A major redesign project, undertaken by the renowned architect Pat Ruddy, has been completed (2003) and will propel Portsalon into the premier league of Irish links courses. Just about the best value for money links course on the island.
A classic links courses on the north coast, Castlerock is set among rolling sand dunes near the Bann estuary. The championship Mussenden course is a par 73 measuring 6,713 yards. It's best known hole is the par-3 fourth (Leg o' Mutton), 200 yards framed on either side by a railway line and a burn with an elevated green. Castlerock hosts the mouth of the River Bann and has superb views to Donegal and to Scotland and the Isle of Islay.
When you stand on the first tee of the Strand course in Portstewart, you know you are in for a golfing treat, it screams 'come play me'. The first hole is widely regarded as the best opening hole in Ireland. The first twelve holes are woven seamlessly into the scrub covered dunes while the last six over undulation fairways provide a great contrast to the opening holes. After 18 on the Strand you can warm down on adjacent River course, not quite as testing but in a beautiful setting.
Royal Portrush is consistently ranked as one of the world's greatest links courses. Host course to the 2004 Senior British Open (which was also held here from 1994-1999). The dramatic sea views should not (but do!) divert one's attention from the serious challenge posed by the 6,900 yards. The signature hole (14th) is named "Calamity Corner", a par-3 that requires almost 200 yards of carry to a perilously perched green with a huge fall to the right. The Dunluce course is given its name by the 13th century castle, the ruins of which overlook the course.
A holiday links with some fine views that can provide a much needed respite from the challenges of the bigger courses. Founded in 1890, the course is a mixture of links and parkland holes. Ballycastle is a golf course that will be remembered more for the scenery than the quality of the golf holes. Nonetheless it is an ideal course for recreational golfers or as a warm-up for more serious advocates of the game
Ardglass Golf Club is a short, tricky links that is well worth playing, if only for the thrilling cliff-top holes that characterised this small and wonderful golf club. All 18 holes at Ardglass have a view of the Irish Sea. The first six provide a really good view - they all play with the coast ever present on the left hand side. Don't bring a hook and decide whether to play Ardglass before or after Royal County Down. Great hospitality to be had in one of the oldest clubhouse in the world after your round, parts of which date to the 14th century.
Royal County Down is consistently rated as one of the world's best courses. It is an excellent test of golf and the outward half are the equal of any nine holes anywhere. The main challenge is to find a line from the tee and to then hit it straight. You miss the fairways here at your peril - gorse, rough and bunkers abound and severely punish the errant golfer. Truly, one of the world's great golf links.
