The northwest is Ireland's wildest and least crowded links country, a string of towering dune courses along the Wild Atlantic Way through Donegal, Sligo and Mayo, crowned by Tom Doak's new St Patrick's Links at Rosapenna. Big golf, big scenery and small green fees by Irish standards. Here are the ten we rate most highly, ranked, with our verdict on each.
Photograph: St Patrick's Links, Rosapenna Golf Resort, St Patrick's Links, Rosapenna Golf Resort, via Google
Northwest Ireland is the connoisseur's links coast, less travelled than the southwest and all the better for it. Donegal alone holds a remarkable density of great links, from the Rosapenna resort, now home to Tom Doak's celebrated St Patrick's Links, to Ballyliffin in the far north and the natural drama of Narin and Portsalon. South of the border, County Sligo at Rosses Point and the towering dunes of Carne and Enniscrone complete one of the most rewarding and affordable links runs in the game.
Every fact here, from designers and opening years to host events, was checked at the time of writing. The verdicts are ours, and the order reflects our editors' view rather than any single published list, so reasonable people will reorder the top five, particularly among the Rosapenna courses, County Sligo and Ballyliffin. Several of these are remote, so plan the drives. If you want them built into a costed trip, that is exactly what our concierge does.
The finest course in the northwest and one of the most acclaimed new links in the world. Tom Doak built St Patrick's at Rosapenna on a vast stretch of dunes by Sheephaven Bay, opening in 2021, a rugged, large scale links of huge ridges, wild green sites and constant sea views. It vaulted straight into the world top 100 and turned an already strong resort into a destination. The headline round of any trip to the region and reason enough to come.
One of Ireland's great championship links, set on the Rosses Point peninsula beneath the flat topped Benbulben mountain immortalised by Yeats. Established in 1894 and given its present shape by Harry Colt in 1927, it has hosted the West of Ireland Championship for generations. The opening and closing holes by the strand, the elevated tees and the ever present wind make it a classic, and it remains the heart of golf in Sligo.
The more modern of Ballyliffin's two links in the far north of the Inishowen peninsula, named for the Glashedy Rock offshore. Pat Ruddy and Tom Craddock laid out a big, muscular course through high dunes that hosted the Irish Open in 2018. Ireland's most northerly club is a true outpost, remote, dramatic and well worth the drive, with the gentler Old Links alongside for a two course day in one of the wildest settings in the game.
The most remote of the great Irish links, out on the Mullet peninsula in northwest Mayo, and a cult favourite for its sheaving, natural dunes. The original eighteen was the last design by Eddie Hackett, the much loved architect who let the land lead, and the newer Wild Atlantic Dunes holes add even bigger terrain. Raw, ragged and exhilarating, with views over Blacksod Bay, it is the very definition of links golf at the edge of Europe.
The course that announced Rosapenna as a serious links destination, opened in 2003 and designed by Pat Ruddy through some of the highest dunes on the property. Tight, dramatic and exposed, with sweeping views over Sheephaven Bay, it is a stern test in the wind and a fine complement to its celebrated new neighbour St Patrick's. With the historic Old Tom Morris Links it gives Rosapenna three links in one resort, a rare luxury.
A magnificent links of towering dunes on Killala Bay in southwest Sligo, with the Ox Mountains and long sandy beaches as a backdrop. Eddie Hackett laid out the original, later extended deep into the big dunes, and the Dunes routing in particular is one of the most enjoyable and underrated in the country. Twenty seven holes give plenty of options, and the closing stretch through the high dunes is a thrilling finish.
A vast, wonderfully isolated links on the Murvagh peninsula south of Donegal town, stretching beyond 7,000 yards and feeling bigger still. Eddie Hackett routed it between a sheltering forest and the raw edge of the Atlantic, with the famous par 3 fifth, the Valley of Tears, played across a dune filled hollow. Big, exposed and beautifully natural, with Donegal Bay and the Bluestack mountains around, it is one of the best value great links anywhere.
As natural a links as exists anywhere, set in high dunes above Gweebarra Bay on the west Donegal coast. A recent restoration by Gil Hanse, the architect behind Olympic and US Open venues, revealed wild green sites and bold terrain that have made it one of the most talked about courses in Ireland. Exposed, thrilling and deeply traditional, it is the insider's pick of the Donegal links and a perfect partner to Rosapenna up the coast.
A gem on the Fanad peninsula beside Ballymastocker, regularly named among the world's most beautiful beaches. Old Tom Morris laid out the original while working at nearby Rosapenna, and a Pat Ruddy redesign brought it up to date without losing its natural, old fashioned charm. Holes shaped by the dunes and the wind, framed by Lough Swilly and the hills, make it a joyful, scenic round and an easy pairing with the other Donegal links.
The original course at Rosapenna and a living piece of golf history, laid out by Old Tom Morris of St Andrews in 1893 along the shore of Sheephaven Bay. The lower holes run gently by the sea before the course climbs into the hills, blending classic seaside links with parkland and dune stretches. Less severe than its modern resort siblings, it is a charming, historic round that completes the three course set at one of Ireland's great links resorts.
Designers, opening years and host events verified June 2026. The northwest is remote, so plan the drives between clusters and base wisely. Green fees here are generally lower than the famous southwest links. Course profiles are added across the site as the directory grows. Always confirm visitor access and fees directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Tell us which of these are on your list, the Rosapenna links, Ballyliffin and the Donegal coast, or County Sligo, Enniscrone and Carne, and roughly when. One concierge arranges the tee times, the drives and the base and costs the trip to the head, with no obligation.
St Patrick's Links at Rosapenna in Donegal, Tom Doak's links that opened in 2021, is our pick and went straight into the world top 100. County Sligo at Rosses Point, a Harry Colt classic, and the Irish Open host Ballyliffin are its closest rivals. Reasonable people reorder the top five, especially among the Rosapenna courses and County Sligo.
The links season runs roughly May to October, with late spring and early autumn the sweet spots for the firmest turf, the longest days and the best chance of settled weather. The Atlantic coast is exposed and wind and rain are possible at any time, which is part of the appeal. July and August are the warmest and busiest months.
Generally yes. The northwest links, while every bit as good in places, sit off the main tourist trail and tend to charge noticeably lower green fees than the famous southwest courses such as Ballybunion and Lahinch. That value, plus the lack of crowds, is a large part of why the region has become such a favourite among links purists. Always confirm current fees before booking.
Most trips split into two clusters: Donegal in the north, basing around Rosapenna for St Patrick's, Sandy Hills and the Old Tom Morris Links, plus Ballyliffin, Narin and Portsalon, and Sligo and Mayo in the south, with County Sligo, Enniscrone and remote Carne. The drives are long and scenic, so allow time, or let our concierge route and book it for you.
Northwest Ireland links, the season on the Wild Atlantic Way and the booking windows that matter. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, opening years and host events verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.