The Island vs Portmarnock
Two of Ireland's great links sit on facing peninsulas of the same north Dublin estuary, a short drive apart yet utterly different in character. Portmarnock is the decorated championship course, flat, honest and wind whipped. The Island is the dramatic one, threading between towering dunes. Both belong on a Dublin links trip, but if you can only play one, here is the head to head, verdict first.
Photograph: The Island Golf Club, via Google
The verdict
For championship pedigree, Portmarnock wins, and it is the one most serious golfers will want to tick off first. Laid out on a low peninsula beside the Irish Sea and dating in its modern form to a William Pickeman design, Portmarnock does not announce itself with towering dunes or theatrical elevation. It is a flat, exposed, relentlessly honest test where the wind is the defense and every club in the bag gets used. It hosted the Irish Open on 19 occasions, the 1960 Canada Cup and the 2019 Amateur Championship, and is regularly rated the finest championship links in the Republic of Ireland. Playing well here means controlling your ball flight, and that is exactly what a links connoisseur travels for.
The Island is the more thrilling round to look at and to play. On the opposite shore of the estuary near Donabate, it threads its fairways between some of the tallest dunes in Irish golf, with blind shots, tumbling lies and a string of memorable holes, the par 3 13th played over the beach and the natural amphitheatre green at the 15th among them. Once reached only by boat, it is intimate, characterful and visually spectacular in a way the more austere Portmarnock is not. It plays long from the back tees, well over 7,000 yards, and rewards bold, imaginative golf. Pick Portmarnock for the pure championship test and the history; pick The Island for the dunes, the drama and the sheer fun of the round. On a proper Dublin trip, play both.
Head to head
| The Island | Portmarnock | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Donabate, north Dublin estuary | Portmarnock peninsula, north Dublin |
| Character | Dramatic dunes links, intimate and scenic | Flat, exposed, classic championship links |
| Designers | Members' syndicate, later Hawtree, Hackett, Ron Kirby and Mackenzie and Ebert | William Pickeman, evolved over a century |
| Scale | Plays long, well over 7,000 yards from the back | Championship par 72, around 7,400 yards from the tips |
| Pedigree | Top tier modern Irish links, host of Irish PGA and amateur events | 19 Irish Opens, 1960 Canada Cup, 2019 Amateur Championship |
| Green fee, 2026 | Around 295 euro high season (indicative; confirm) | Around 320 euro high season (indicative; confirm) |
| Best for | Scenery, shot drama and a memorable, fun round | The pure championship test and the history |
Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026 from club and ranking listings; fees vary by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick The Island if
You want the most spectacular round of the two, with dunes, blind shots and holes you will talk about afterward. The Island is intimate, characterful and visually thrilling, with the beach carry at the 13th and the amphitheatre 15th among the most photographed holes in Dublin golf. It plays long and rewards bold, imaginative golf rather than pure ball control. It suits golfers chasing scenery and fun as much as a scorecard, and it pairs beautifully with Portmarnock across the water.
Pick Portmarnock if
You want the championship test and the history, the course the great players came to win. Portmarnock is flat, exposed and brutally honest, where the wind is the defense and every shot is a question. With 19 Irish Opens and the 2019 Amateur Championship on its record, it is the premier championship links in the Republic and the round a links purist will not want to miss. It suits the better player and anyone who values pedigree, ball control and a true examination over scenery.
Plan a Dublin links trip
The dunes drama of The Island, the championship test of Portmarnock, or both across the estuary on a north Dublin links trip. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge secures the tee times, the base and the transfers, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
The Island vs Portmarnock questions
Is The Island or Portmarnock the better course?
Both are among Ireland's finest links and sit on facing peninsulas of the same Dublin estuary. Portmarnock is the more decorated championship course, a flat, honest, wind exposed links that has hosted the Irish Open 19 times and the 2019 Amateur Championship and is regularly rated Ireland's premier inland of the dunes test. The Island is the more dramatic and intimate, threading between some of the tallest dunes in Irish golf with memorable holes like the par 3 13th over the beach. For pure championship pedigree, Portmarnock; for scenery and shot drama, The Island. Always confirm fees directly before booking.
How far apart are The Island and Portmarnock?
They sit on opposite sides of the same tidal estuary on the north Dublin coast, The Island near Donabate and Portmarnock on its own peninsula, historically a short ferry across but a 20 to 30 minute drive by road. Both are within easy reach of Dublin airport and the city, which makes them a natural pairing on a north Dublin or east coast links trip.
How much are green fees at The Island and Portmarnock?
Indicative 2026 high season green fees run to around 295 euro at The Island and around 320 euro at Portmarnock, with lower winter and shoulder rates and reductions for early or late tee times. Both move with season and demand, so always confirm current fees directly before booking.
Can visitors play The Island and Portmarnock?
Yes, both welcome visiting golfers with a tee time booked in advance, subject to member priority at certain times and a handicap or club affiliation at Portmarnock. They are popular and book out in summer, so reserve early, and a concierge can secure both rounds and the transfers on a Dublin links trip.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.