Portmarnock Golf Club

Founded in 1893, Portmarnock Golf Club is a highlight of any Dublin golf tour. It is frequently ranked as one of the top 10 courses in Ireland and among the World’s Top 100 Courses. It also offers a third nine for those who want to play additional holes after their round on the championship links.

Over the years, Portmarnock Golf Club has hosted most of the world’s legendary golfers. Bernard Darwin once commented, “I know of no greater finish in the world than that of the last five holes at Portmarnock”. But the course is perhaps best known for being home to the legendary and beloved Irish amateur golfer Joe Carr, who once aced the 385-yard, par 4 14th hole, miraculously avoiding the cavernous bunkers guarding the green.

The land was originally owned by the whiskey magnate, John Jameson (a Scot), and from about 1950 he had his own “rough” private course there. In the early 1890s it was deemed the perfect site for a new “proper” golf club. At the time the sandy peninsula could only be reached by boat. The first 9-hole course was laid out by the 1874 Open Champion, Mungo Park (another Scot), who served as the Club pro for the first year. Jameson was honored by being the first club President.

After expanding to 18 holes in 1896, the course has had minor tweaks throughout the years mainly expanding it to a modern length of just under 7,500 yards for championship play.

Host of a number of global events, including the Canada Cup (which became the World Cup) in 1960, when Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead teamed together to win.

The 1991 Walker Cup was won by the US 14-10, and boasted talent including Phil Mickelson, Bob May, David Duval, Padraig Harrington, and Paul McGinley among the competitors. It has also served as host venue to 19 Irish Opens where winners include Seve Ballesteros, Bernard Langer, and Ben Crenshaw among other major winners of the past.

The layout encompasses the very best of links golf, it covers natural terrain and dunes, there are no manmade features. Water borders the links on three sides, while the greens are true and lightning-quick.

Portmarnock is a private member’s course and so has restricted visitor times. It is conveniently located only 10 miles from Dublin city center and 15 minutes from Dublin airport. When requesting, be sure not to confuse it with the Jameson Golf Links, formerly known as Portmarnock Golf Links. Designed by Bernard Langer, located nearby at the Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Resort, on the old Jameson Estate, it is another welcome addition to any Ireland golf itinerary.