Photo: Pat Lanigan Ryan · CC0 1.0
Dublin Coast, Ireland
Portmarnock Golf Club
A classic links on a peninsula north of Dublin — host of the Irish Open more than twenty times and one of the finest traditional links in Ireland.
Course overview
Portmarnock Golf Club was founded in 1894 by William Pickeman and George Ross, who crossed Baldoyle Estuary by boat to establish the course on a narrow peninsula between the Irish Sea and a tidal estuary north of Dublin. The championship links has hosted the Irish Open more than 20 times and the Canada Cup (now the World Cup of Golf) in 1960. The course is exposed to wind from multiple directions due to its peninsula setting, which changes its character significantly from round to round.
The essentials
- Architect
- William Pickeman; George Ross
- Established
- 1894
- Type
- Links
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,828 m
- Handicap
- HCP 0–20
- Location
- County Dublin, Ireland
Character & atmosphere
A peninsula links exposed to wind from every direction — the routing has no prevailing wind advantage, meaning conditions rewire the course on each visit and local knowledge of wind patterns is as valuable as ball-striking.
Highlights
Why play here
- Designed by William Pickeman; George Ross, opened in 1894.
- Sea views feature throughout the round.
- A championship-calibre test that has hosted professional golf.
Signature Hole
15
A par 3 widely regarded as one of the finest short holes in Irish golf, requiring a precise iron to a green exposed to the full force of the prevailing wind off the Irish Sea — the surrounding mounding provides no shelter and the carry must be exact.
Facilities
Practical guidance
Plan your visit
How to get there
Dublin Airport is just 20 minutes from Portmarnock. Car hire, taxis, and the Aircoach bus service are all practical options. Portmarnock is on the north Dublin coast and is easily accessible by DART train from the city centre.
Where to stay
Dublin is the most practical base for the East Coast links, combining Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, and The Island Golf Club with one of Europe's most enjoyable city experiences. Most of Ireland's best courses are within a day's drive, making Dublin the ideal start and end point for an island-wide tour.
Nearby courses
Enjoying this course guide?
Help us discover and curate more great golf across Europe.
Ireland
Explore Dublin Coast
Parkland and links golf within easy reach of Dublin, including Portmarnock.