Golf holidays in Donegal
If you like wilderness, remoteness and stunning scenery, Donegal was created with you in mind. The size of the skies and the beauty of the landscape are almost unbelievable; heather-clad mountainsides descend to long sandy beaches that wax and wane with the ebb and flow of the cold, clear waters of the North Atlantic. Up here on the northwestern outreaches of the Emerald Isle, you will never be short of fresh air or want for stunning vistas.
Towns in County Donegal come on the smaller scale, even Donegal itself is more af a large village than a town! But that means that traffic is light and the remote villages are very welcoming; pottering around this part of the Irish world is a joy.
Donegal - Golf Clubs
Donegal Golf Clubs are predominantly dotted around the very North of the county with two epicentres at Rosapenna and Ballyliffin, both have 36-holes of prime links golf to feast upon. All four of these courses are 'must-plays' for afficionados of the treeless format of the game!
In addition to the two 'big guns' of Rosapenna and Ballyliffin, there are
several smaller Golf Clubs in Donegal too that are worthy of a visit. The one making all the waves at the moment is Narin & Portnoo: once a sleepy little Golf Club known only to a lucky few, it has now been discovered by the many, which is good for them but a bit of a shame in some (rather selfish!) ways too.
Other Donegal golf courses not to be missed are the old course at Portsalon, one of the first in the county; the unique Harry Vardon designed public course at Bundoran and the unassuming North West Links on the banks of the Foyle.
Donegal - where to stay
With the main Donegal golf courses stretched around the northern rim of the county it makes sense to stay right in the thick of it at the Rosapenna resort, which just happens to be extraordinary value as well! From here, you can easily get to Narin & Portnoo, Portsalon and the North West Links: five of the best Donegal golf courses to play with!
Ballyliffin G.C. is a little out-on-a-limb around Lough Swilly and on up towards Malin Head, so it makes sense to stay closer to Ballyliffin if you are drawn by these wonderfully wild pair of courses. There are a couple of good hotels in Ballyliffin that we know where we would be more than happy to put a golfbreak together for you.
A clever option if you do want to combine all the Donegal golf courses into one holiday is to stay beside the Lough Swilly Ferry and North West Links at the modern Inishowen Gateway Hotel or acros the other side at the boutique Rathmullan House Hotel: both very convenient spots for getting around the Donegal golf courses!
Getting to Donegal
It is a lot easier to get to Donegal for your golf holiday these days with flights into nearby Knock. The other alternative is to fly to Belfast and drive across country from there, it should only take a couple of hours (and there are some rather nice golf courses en-route!).
Of course, you can also travel over with your own vehicle (and as much luggage as you like) via the Stenaline, Irish Ferries or P&O Ferries and fastcraft (very impressive) from Stranraer to Larne or to Dún Laoghaire or Dublin Port from Holyhead. It is a bit of a cross-country drive from their to Donegal but relax and enjoy the passing scenery... Please ask us about sailing to Ireland as we can include these Irish Ferry or Stena Line crossings in your Irish golfbreak at our specially reduced rates.
