If you’ve already played the famous courses of Scotland and Ireland’s southwest, then North West Ireland should be next on your list. This remote and rugged region is home to some of the most spectacular and underrated links courses in the world. It may take a little effort to get here, but that’s part of the charm—once you arrive, you’ll find a golfer’s paradise unlike any other.
We made the trek last week—purely for research purposes, of course. Someone had to take on the tough job of playing world-class links, sampling the local pubs, and soaking up the scenery. The sacrifices we make for our clients… But seriously, this place is something special. Read on to find out why North West Ireland should be your next golf adventure.
Carne: Wild, Remote, and Unforgettable
Our journey started in Belmullet, where Carne Golf Links sits perched on the edge of the Atlantic. This place is pure, untamed links golf and was the perfect place to start to get our golfing juices flowing. It’s made up of three 9 hole loops and has the most dramatic sand dunes of any golf course I’ve ever played. Towering dunes, unpredictable winds, and dramatic elevation changes make Carne one of the most thrilling rounds you’ll ever play. It’s a true test of golf, and maybe in that respect was a tough opening round fresh off the plane—every shot needs to be thought through, and the ever-changing coastal winds definitely kept us on our toes.
After a windswept but exhilarating round, we stopped by McDonnell’s Bar in Belmullet. The Guinness tasted even better after battling Carne’s fairways, and the seafood chowder was exactly what we needed after a long day on the links. We perhaps overdid the Guinness a little but it was our first night and were too busy chatting golf and excited about the rest of the trip to notice!
Enniscrone: Golf with a View
An early start saw us drove an hour north following the coastline over to Enniscrone, a course that doesn’t just offer world-class golf but also some of the most stunning views in Ireland. The first five holes here arguably the strongest opening five holes of the trip. The back nine played into the wind with a few blind shots but it was a great test of golf (I lost about seven balls!), and weaves through massive dunes, has breath-taking vistas over Killala Bay. The greens are as pure as you’ll find anywhere – if only we could putt on greens like this every week.
After golf, we made our way to Mount Falcon estate, which we would definitely recommend to stay at when playing Enniscrone and Carne. This stately home retains many of its original features offering a luxurious yet welcoming atmosphere. The estate provides plenty to do during your stay, including fishing, shooting, a driving range, a spa, a swimming pool, and even its own falconry, true to its name.
For dinner, the hotel has recently started dry aging their own meats and have a really fine selection of various cuts of beef so it’s worth staying for dinner. You’re also just a short drive away from Ballina which has a good amount of classic Irish pubs to keep you entertained.
After dinner, and a tip from a local, we headed towards Sligo and found ourselves in the Beach Bar —a thatched-roof pub that felt like stepping back in time. Overlooking the shore, it served up the best pint of Guinness we had all week—so good, we had to have a few!
County Sligo (Rosses Point): A Classic Links Experience
Rosses Point, home to County Sligo Golf Club, was next on our journey. This historic course has long been a favourite of Ireland’s best golfers, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a strategic course that rewards smart play, with firm fairways, undulating greens, and stunning views of Benbulben mountain in the distance.
This was definitely in the best condition out of all the courses as they were preparing for the West of Ireland amateur championship and was a really true and fair test of links golf. There’s something special about playing a course that has hosted some of Ireland’s greatest championships. This is links golf at its finest.
Narin & Portnoo: An Underrated Gem
That afternoon after golf, we headed further north toward Narin & Portnoo, and took a great recommendation to stop at Rossnowlagh Beach—something we’d also highly suggest. However, a word of caution for anyone thinking of driving onto the sand: we learned the hard way when our van got stuck, requiring a call to the local police. They kindly sent a nearby farmer with his tractor to rescue us—Irish hospitality at its finest! Though he did charge us €100, he was more than happy for us to leave it in an envelope at a petrol station 10 miles down the road.
Once we reached Narin & Portnoo, the course was absolutely spectacular and has undergone a stunning transformation in recent years by the famous Gill Hanse. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, with rolling fairways that feel like they’ve been carved naturally into the land with the most impressive holes around the middle of the course, with stunning ocean views. The pro shop is also worth a visit, especially to buy a souvenir with their logo on – a piece of jewellery found on the links dating back 4000 years!
Not far away is Cruit Island which is a real hidden gem, a 9 hole course but with incredible sea views on every hole, played over clifftops and only a €40 green fee.
Rosapenna: Old Tom Morris Links and a Perfect Finale
Our trip ended at Rosapenna, home to the stunning Old Tom Morris Links. And what a fitting way to finish – the history here is incredible—designed by Old Tom himself, this course has been modernised while maintaining its classic links feel. Whilst we would’ve loved to play all three courses, we could only play one which was the Old Tom Morris Links.
This is by far the most playable course than some of the others we played on the trip, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Sand dunes frame every hole but with generous landing zones off the tee and interesting green complexes.
The headline course at Rosapenna is St Patricks links which has rightly earned itself a spot in the world top 100. Rossapenna conveniently has a large hotel on site and it’s a great place to base yourself for playing the three courses at Rosapenna, Nanin & Portnoo, Portsalon golf club and Cruit Island. The hotel is also just 15-minute walk into town or a short taxi ride which can be arranged at the golf course.
We forced ourselves one final time to check out the local area, and found ourselves in Downings, a small coastal village. After a few local recommendations, we headed to The Harbour Bar – another classic traditional Irish pub with great pints of Guinness and a lively atmosphere. The seafood restaurant next door – “Fisk” – is a favourite with locals and tourists. Goose & Gander is another great pub in the town that does wood fire pizza, or for more up-market food go to “The Old Glen” which is a 10 min drive away – recommended to us by Golf Ops Director Danny at Rosapenna.
Why North West Ireland Should Be on Your Golf Bucket List
This region might not have the big-name recognition of St Andrews or Royal Portrush, but that’s what makes it so special. It’s unspoiled, uncrowded, and offers some of the most authentic links golf you’ll ever experience. We loved everything about this trip—from the challenging courses and stunning scenery to the small towns full of character and the friendly locals who made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. And of course, the Irish know how to have a good time, or as they say, ‘the craic’—and there was plenty of it along the way.
So, if you’re looking for a golf trip that’s off the beaten path but delivers world-class experiences, North West Ireland should be at the top of your list. Trust us, it’s worth the journey.
For a 7 night trip, we recommend staying 3 nights in Mount Falcon and 4 nights at Rosapenna. Feel free to message us for a bespoke NW Ireland itinerary for your group