Donegal Golf Club: Under the spotlight

Located along the rugged Northwest coast of Ireland lies the links of Donegal Golf Club. Situated on the isolated Murvagh Peninsula, the golf course offers golfers the experience of a true links challenge with spectacular views of Donegal Bay and the Bluestack Mountains.

Opened in the mid-1970s, this superb layout was designed by legendary Irish course architect, Eddie Hackett, and was later enhanced by Pat Ruddy. Often referred to as the “Muirfield of Ireland” due to the similarities of the layouts, Donegal Golf Club is one to visit when you explore the Wild Atlantic Way!

The course is laid out in two circles with the front nine holes consisting of the outer loop and the back nine holes making up the inner loop. As mentioned, it is often referred to as the Muirfield of Ireland due to this layout and the front nine holes going in a counterclockwise direction, while the back nine goes in a clockwise direction.

Holes 5 – 8 play along the waterfront and while the back nine doesn’t have any holes on the water, the views can be seen throughout the course. For length, the golf club offers five sets of tees to choose from ranging in distance from 5,800 to just shy of 7,500 yards from the furthest tees.

This course plays as a par-73 course with three par-5s on the front, which includes the opening hole, and two on the back. The signature hole of the course is the par-3 5th hole nicknamed the “Valley of Tears”. The hole plays 196 yards from the tips towards the water and you must carry the valley to a bowled green which has raised bunkers on the left and bunkers short and right that are below the level of the green. Wind plays a key role during the round as the holes go in all different directions, so the wind is never coming from the same direction twice.

Recommended package

• 7 nights’ accommodation at the Glasshouse Hotel
• 5 rounds of golf at: o Donegal Golf Club o Enniscrone Golf Club o Rosses Point Golf Club o Strandhill Golf Club o Carne Golf Club

View package: 7 nights 5 rounds in Sligo

Location

• County Donegal, Ireland

• 150 miles from Dublin Airport

• 165 miles from Shannon Airport