Portmarnock Golf Club
Course
Portmarnock Golf Club, Portmarnock, County Dublin
Founded 1894. Links Course
Regarded as one of Ireland’s finest links golf courses, Portmarnock is all that you could possibly want in a traditional links course, eminently fair yet a test to every facet of your game. Founded in 1894, Portmarnock is located 12 miles north of Dublin City and offers 27 holes of exceptional links golf; the blue, red and yellow loops, but it is the blue and red nines that comprise the 18-hole championship layout. Portmarnock has hosted many major tournaments over the years including the British Amateur Championships of 1949 and 2019, the Walker Cup in 1991 and the Irish Open on no fewer than 19 occasions, most recently in 2003. If you were to play just one golf course in the Dublin area, Portmarnock would be it.
Sightseeing
The main attraction of Ireland as a golf destination may indeed be its great golf courses but the overall experience is influenced by many other factors including great accommodation options, restaurants, pubs, people, and not least it’s stunning scenery and superb visitor attractions. Each region offers something very different and with all locations being quite close together, it’s very easy to mix the stunning countryside and coastline with more urban attractions.
We work with each of our clients to recommend what suits their trip best. You may have a full day to spend sightseeing or you may squeeze in a quick stop on the way to or from the golf course but we will make sure that you maximise your experience at all times. The below is intended as a very general guide to sightseeing in Ireland.
A few nights in Dublin is a logical inclusion in many trips. Sometimes flights dictate that you arrive and depart Dublin and it can be easily combined with time spent in other locations. Apart from the great courses in the area, it offers much in terms of sightseeing including the Guinness Storehouse, Old Jameson Distillery, Christ Church Cathedral, the National Museum of Ireland and Kilmainham Jail. A visit to Trinity College Library to view the Book of Kells is also recommended.
Just north of Dublin, the Passage Tombs at Newgrange date back to 3,200 BC and provide a fascinating insight into prehistoric Ireland, while just south of Dublin in County Wicklow, you should include a visit to beautiful Glendalough and Powerscourt House & Gardens.
Further south of Wicklow, the likes of Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford are all well worth a visit with many impressive attractions. Kilkenny is a wonderful medieval city with the impressive Kilkenny Castle dominating the town. Waterford is synonymous with Waterford Crystal and you should include a visit to the House of Waterford Crystal, while in Wexford, some recommended options include the Irish National Heritage Park and Enniscorthy Castle.