Co. Dublin PORTMARNOCK

Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

Portmarnock Golf Club

On Christmas Eve of 1893 a Scottish Insurance broker named W.C. Pickeman and his friend George Ross rowed over from Sutton to the peninsula of Portmarnock to scout out the land as a possible golf links. They liked what they found. The peninsula of Portmarnock is about two miles long and covers some 500 acres. It was links land: low sand dunes, small green hollows and long valleys.

It was ideal golfing ground and had been first used for the game as early as 1858 by the Jamesons (of whiskey fame) who lived in St Marnock’s, a large house near the shore just north of the peninsula and now a hotel.

There are no tricks or nasty surprises, only an honest, albeit searching test of shotmaking skills. Invariably rated as Ireland’s best course in ballots by the Irish Golf Institute, Portmarnock takes justifiable pride in its 27 holes, which are maintained to the highest standards.

Within the curve of the coastline formed by Howth peninsula, it offers stunning views of Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island, rising sharply from deep waters. But above all, there is the charm of its delightful turf, the wildness, the solitude of the sandhills and the sea, and the ever-present challenge of the wind.

© Copyright Portmarnock Golf Club 2006

Distance and driving times (traffic dependent):

Headfort Golf Club                           80km (50m), 1hr 7 mins
The Island Golf Club                        16 km (10m), 22 mins
Roganstown Golf & Country Club       16km (10m), 20 mins
Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links           2km (1m),  5 mins
The Royal Dublin Golf Club               11km (7m), 21 mins
Castleknock Golf Club                      20km (12m), 20 mins

Counties Kildare & Wicklow (K Club, Carton House, Palmerstown House, Rathsallagh, Powerscourt, Druids Glen) c. 1hr.

Other distances, times and route planning

Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

The Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links is set in splendid surroundings overlooking the magnificent beach known as Velvet Strand. The house was originally owned by the Jameson family, famous for their Irish whiskey. Their home has been tastefully converted to an international hotel with the grounds now hosting the superb 18 hole Bernhard Langer-designed golf links.

The championship links covers 180 acres of classic terrain. Widely recognised as one of Ireland’s premier golf resorts the links course takes full advantage of a natural setting. Here, professional and amateur alike can appreciate a links that combines all the charms of a traditional layout with the challenge of the modern game.

"There are very few locations in Europe which could have allowed me the opportunity and landscape to design such a classic championship links I hope all those who play it discover its magic and challenging beauty" - Bernhard Langer.

© Copyright Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

Distance and driving times (traffic dependent):

Headfort Golf Club                             80km (50m), 1hr 7 mins
The Island Golf Club                          14 km (9m), 20 mins
Roganstown Golf & Country Club        16km (10m), 20 mins
Portmarnock Golf Club                       2km (1m),   5 mins
The Royal Dublin GC                         12km (7m), 25 mins
Castleknock Golf Club                        22km (13m), 23 mins

Counties Kildare & Wicklow (K Club, Carton House, Palmerstown House, Rathsallagh, Powerscourt, Druids Glen) c. 1hr.

Other Distances, Times and Route Planning