Going for Golf

Dublin - Blessed with Irish magic

Portmarnock

All three fine tuned their games on the stunning courses of the Emerald Isle and long after the triumvirate have hung up their putters, thousands will still flock to see the courses of Ireland as its status as a pearl of European golf continues to grow. Its courses are the envy of others, its welcome is second to none, and you’d struggle to find better value anywhere.
 
Consider some of the options available to the discerning golfer who packs his or her clubs and heads for Dublin Airport. Within 30 minutes drive of the landing point, any number of magical courses are available, each one a challenge to the person standing in the tee box, each one with its own romantic history and striking views.

To take half a dozen courses within easy reach of Dublin, try the old course at Portmarnock in north Dublin, County Louth Golf Club and Donabate Golf Club in the same vicinity, and Seapoint, St Annes and the Royal Dublin.

It may be just 10 miles from the centre of Dublin but the fact the course is surrounded on three sides by water gives Portmarnock a sense of unbridled wilderness.

The course – which should not be confused with the adjacent Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links – was once accessible only by boat and presents a stiff challenge to anyone who takes on its curves and dog-legs. The wind here can really whip up, and that is something to factor in when you are talking about 7,382 yards. The par-three 15th is a particular delight.

It has a few celebrity fans to boot, and former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting said that playing the course was “fantastic”. In all likelihood you’ll agree once you’ve been around it once or twice – to know it, is to love it.
Indeed, the legendary golf writer Bernard Darwin said: “I know of no greater finish in the world than that of the last five holes at Portmarnock.” And many critics will argue the preceding 13 ain’t all bad either… It enjoys huge greens, hefty rough and treacherous hazards. But it plays fair.

The land belonged originally to the Jameson family – of whiskey fame – and was used as the dynasty’s own private course from around 1850. The course was extended to 18 holes in 1896 under the auspices of Scottish insurance broker William Pickeman and his friend George Ross.

One of the world’s truly great links courses, Portmarnock has been a regular venue for the Irish Open. In 2009 it was hailed as the best golf course in Ireland and is a big favourite of numerous professionals including the legendary Tom Watson, the late, great Seve Ballesteros and Ireland’s very own Padraig Harrington. Harrington described it as “…the fairest links I have ever played”.