Northwest Ireland
Northwest Ireland has emerged from the shadow of the Southwest to offer a links golf trip to rival that of its closest neighbours. No visit to Ireland is complete without a visit to The Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast. Play County Sligo, Carne, Enniscrone, Donegal, Nairn and Portnoo and Rosapenna (St. Patrick’s Links) on a golfing trip that compares to anything the other Irish and UK regions have to offer. With world renowned architects such as Doak and Hanse building new and upgrading ancient links, you are in for a real treat. Stay in two of Ireland’s most loved places in Sligo and Donegal and you are in for a cultural experience that will live long in the memory. This is a must visit for any trip to Ireland.
Day 1: County Sligo
Arrive in Shannon or Dublin airports and either collect your car hire vehicle or be greeted by your Lyons Links driver. Transfer to County Sligo Golf Club, home of the West of Ireland Championship. Former winners include Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington. Stay in a four-star hotel in the thriving town of Sligo.
Day 2: Carne
Travel due west for Bellmullet and the remote but heavenly created Carne Golf Links. A natural links on the road less traveled which meets unanimous acclaim by Irish golfers. Carne’s international stock continues to rise with increasing numbers making the pilgrimage to see what all the fuss is about. A trip to Bellmullet never fails to impress any of our clients.
Day 3: Enniscrone
In a word Enniscrone is a . . . beast. By any standards, this is a world-class links course and regarded by many as one of the best tracks in Ireland. Enniscrone is simply spectacular and often proves to be a visitor’s favourite when reviewing their trip. Transfer to Donegal for a good quality four-star accommodation after golf.
Day 4: Donegal (Murvagh)
Donegal Golf Course (Murvagh) is a links course built on a promontory of 182 acres. The course, built on land of geological significance, was inhabited in past centuries, and the earliest of Irish maps indicate this. The course is a magnificent Championship links, a par-73 for both men and women, stretching at more than 7,400 yards from the tips.
Day 5: Narin and Portnoo
Another world-famous architect drawn to the Wild Atlantic Way is Gil Hanse. Hanse did a redesign in 2018 and “links aficionados” have been universal in their praise. At Narin & Portnoo Links, you are — with each step and shot — treading through an extraordinary story, and as custodians of this natural golf links it makes your visit truly memorable. Golf has been played on the links since 1905. After golf travel to the hotel and Rosapenna.
Day 6: St. Patrick's Links
Following on from The Old Tom Morris Course and Sandy Hills (both superb links), St Patrick’s Links is the latest additon to the Rosapenna collection. This Tom Doak design has been heralded as a masterpiece by many. A landscape that was created for links golf with one of the world’s top architects putting the finishing touches to it — making it a must-play. Indeed a stay at beautiful Rosapenna Resort Hotel may well be worth considering.
Day 7: Ballyliffin Glashedy
No trip to Northwest Ireland would be complete without a trip to Ballyliffin. Two super links hosted “The Amateur” (British Amateur) championship in 2024. The Old Tom Morris Course is superb with its undulting fairways while the Glashedy is a beast of a championship links designed by Mr. Pat Ruddy of the European Club. Glashedy comfortably rubs shoulders with the best links in the planet.
Hotel choices
Sligo, the home of WB Yeats and the landmark Benbulben, has several high-quality four-star hotels. City centre and country hotels give clients a distinct choice. Harveys Point and Lough Eske Castle are very good quality hotels in Donegal, while Rosapenna Resort Hotel (pictured, left) is perfect for golf right up on the north coast of Donegal. There are so many other options for golf in Donegal and it would be worth extending your trip to 10 days.