Set on the picturesque coastline just ten miles to the north of fair Dublin City herself, Portmarnock Golf Club is perched on a slim tongue of duneland. This is where Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead claimed victory in the 1960 Canada Cup, and where Phil Mickelson and David Duval secured an unforgettable Walker Cup triumph in 1991. Play here and you walk in the footsteps of legends.
The club has hosted 19 stagings of the European Tour's Irish Open Championship, reflecting the sheer quality of this links course’s 27 holes.
About Portmarnock, Dublin golf club – Brief history
- On Christmas Eve 1893, an insurance broker and his friend rowed to the Portmarnock peninsula to explore the potential for a golf links. It was perfect
- The course was designed by William Pickerman and George Ross, and opened on St. Stephen’s Day 1894 with nine holes
- In 1896, it was extended to eighteen holes, and a clubhouse was added the same year
- Nine more holes were added in 1971
- Hosted the first Irish Open in 1927
- Hosted the British Amateur Championship in 1949
- Host to the Canada Cup in 1960
- Hosted the Walker Cup in 1991
- Regularly cited as one of the world's greatest links courses
- Voted as the best golf links in Ireland by Golf Digest magazine in 2014/15
Portmarnock scorecard
View The Portmarnock Scorecard
Featured hole – Hole 15
The 15th hole at Portmarnock is a 204 Yard Par 3, a coastal hole and the course's infamous signature. If you appreciate being tested, you’ll love the challenge it brings. Take great care or you'll find your tee ball sailing right onto the beach, at which point all you can do is give in and attempt a par save. Remember to steer clear of the three treacherous bunkers defending the green and don't allow yourself to become too distracted by the views, however difficult that is.
Known for a brutal final five holes
Portmarnock is widely considered to be one of the world's fairest and purest links golf courses, delivering an incredible challenge as well as a genuine test of golf, and the final five holes play no small part in that. Tom Watson, the five-times Open Champion, summed it up perfectly: "There are no tricks or nasty surprises, only an honest, albeit searching test of shot making skills." But it was Bernard Darwin who hit the nail on the head. In his words, “I know of no greater finish in the world than that of the last five holes at Portmarnock". He was right. They are brutal, so you must prepare yourself for battle.
Portmarnock, Dublin golf vacations
Is playing Portmarnock on your list of must-do’s? At The Experience Ireland we offer a wide selection of golf vacations, all of which can be fully customised to your particular wants. Our golf vacations will secure you that elusive tee time slot at Portmarnock - an Irish golf holiday just wouldn’t be complete without spending some time here. When you visit, you'll enjoy a warm Irish welcome at a place that is proud to have achieved consistently high rankings in the national polls (including Golf Digest). To find out more about this remarkable course or book your programme, please contact us.
Featured Portmarnock golf package:
Dublin 4 Nights 4* Programme: Our Ireland golf vacations offer the chance to experience some of the finest courses the country has to offer, and those located on the Eastern Seaboard have recently hosted the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup and Solheim. This package includes four top notch rounds of golf on famous courses, including Portmarnock and the European Club. The 5* Merrion Hotel and 4* O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel will play host for the duration of your stay, where you’ll enjoy a full Irish Breakfast daily, an evening meal on one night of your stay, and luxurious accommodation. An Airport meet-and-greet service and full transfers to your hotel and between the golf course ensures everything is taken care of. As a bonus. you’ll be close to Ireland’s capital city – ideal for fitting in some sight-seeing while you’re there.