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From our Directory of the most recommended golf courses
Portmarnock Golf Club
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One of the oldest clubs in Ireland, Portmarnock is located just north and on the Irish Sea from Dublin, maybe 30 minutes from downtown. It was designed by George Ross and W I Pickeman in 1894, with revisions by Fred and Martin Hawtree. It's an old established club full of history and class of its own. It's location is the coastline formed by Howth peninsula, with views out to Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island. It's true linksland ground here with relatively low dunes to slow the wind. The routing of the course changes constantly throughout so each hole presents a new challenge and strategy with the wind. The fairways are mildly undulating, and you usually won't find an uncomfortable lie or wild bounce.The course has 27 holes, the Red, Blue, and Yellow, with all three nines being excellent. Conditions are par excellence. Although some feel it's overrated and overpriced, it's a far better course and experience than The Island nearby for little more in green fees, but you will find it much more difficult.
Posted by: Jason Alexander
Oct 10th, 2010
Yesterday was a glorious day at Portmarnock Golf Club, the best day weather-wise and another well-conditioned links course. Actually, after our baptism-by-driving-rain on Monday, the weather has gotten progressively better every day. After an early morning haze burned off, temperatures at noon hovered in the mid-70s, enough to prompt some shedding of layers. Played both Portmarnock courses, the Old and the Hotel, and the Old was heads above the Hotel course, in fact don't even waste your time playing the Hotel, play the Old twice. Classic links, excellent conditioning, the clubhouse wreaks of history.
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Posted by: MCallaghan
Sep 18th, 2010
Played the Old course on our last day in Ireland, after playing the North, RCD and Portrush, among others, and would have to put Portmarnick 3rd, just a fantastic classic links, beautiful day, and a wonderful reception in the clubhouse. Had been to the area and played the Island and the Portmarnock Hotel course, and would highly recommend the Old over the others.
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Posted by: ralphg
Jul 10th, 2010
Just had a privilege to play one of the great Irish golf courses... and I'd forgotten how good it is. The 30mph cold winds, and rain did little to detract from this true golfing experience- indeed it may have added to it! The course sits, on a sandy peninsula. The holes twist and turn frequently, like Muirfield, making the golfer have to constantly adjust to the wind. The obstacles are many varied. Some things are obscured from the golfer – like the fairway on the 5th– but this adds to drama. The sand dunes often run across the fairways on angles making balls run off in varying directions. The direct line is often bunkered with small pots. To score well, golfers need to take on the hazards. Getting closer to the fairway bunkers, often puts the golfer in the best place to attack the green. The greens are varied in size and shape. Most are raised, with the surrounds mown short. When a green is missed the ball will often run down and away- sometimes into bunkers. My favourite holes were the beguiling 8th, 10th, 14th and 18th. Four very good par 4's. This is a wonderful old golf Club, with a great links. I hope these photos give those who can't make it there a feeling for this special course. scott
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Posted by: mutiger97
Jul 7th, 2010
But after just returning from Ireland, I am absolutely baffled about Portmarnock. Most consider it a must play and one of Ireland's best, but I found it rather pedestrian and nothing special. For sure, the facilities and history are tremendous, but the course itself didn’t do much for me. Perhaps it was the conditioning, which was rather poor and included a temporary green. But I am clearly missing something. By contrast, I absolutely loved the Islands. The towering dunes, the blind tee shot, the challenging par three 13th, the ridiculously narrow 14th, and the amazingly gracious and friendly members all made it the highlight of the trip. Although considered a very good course, I don’t think most would put it on the level of Portmarnock.
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Posted by: dyland
Jul 4th, 2010
Played Portmarnock and Portmarnock Hotel/Resort, and preferred to resort course over Portmarnock, but here's where the history is. A very strong and challenging course, hugged on one side by the Howth peninsula coastline with great views out from Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island. Lots of wind the day we played made taming the golf course an impossibility, tight fairways, fast running greens and course, all in great shape, and a clubhouse and reception matching the best golf has to offer.
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Posted by: barryjogorman
Jul 10th, 2009
Outstanding links - and the members have a real appreciation of golf. The layout is such that you get to play in every direction - cf many links courses where you play 9 in one direction and 9 in the opposite. Many wonderful holes come to mind including 4, 9, 12, 14, 15, 18. - don't be left on the front nine! A must for the links afficianado. A great challenge at this time of year when the rough is high
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