Rosapenna Golf Links is located where the water meets the wilds of northern Donegal, a place where the Bays of Sheephaven and Mulroy converge. The wild Atlantic waves have chiselled the rugged features of Rosapenna over thousands of years and the resulting beauty is spectacular. The air is fresh and invigorating, while the welcome is extraordinarily warm and sincere in the typical Donegal way. Rosapenna now boasts two superb links golf courses - the Old Tom Morris Links and the excellent but difficult Sandy Hills Course, designed by Pat Ruddy and opened in June 2003.
Aided by the genius of nature, Rosapenna has been shaped and moulded by the hands of golfing greats. In 1891, while a guest of Lord Leitrim at his nearby estate, Old Tom Morris of St. Andrews was out enjoying the spectacular Donegal scenery. Morris was quick to see the amazing golfing potential of this fine stretch of coastline and before returning home, had staked out the first Rosapenna links, incorporating wide rolling fairways and delightful greens amidst the rugged undulating terrain. Following reports from Old Tom about the delights of his discovery, Rosapenna became a place of pilgrimage for golfers by the turn of the century. Over the years, James Braid and Harry Vardon added length and bunkering to the course and so good was the initial design, the links remains virtually the same today.
Like Portsalon and Narin & Portnoo, its near neighbours on the northwestern Donegal coastline, Rosapenna is quite uncelebrated in international circles. The links is of traditional layout and relatively unaffected by the throngs of golfing visitors that visit Ireland's southwestern parts. Rosapenna stands almost untouched by time amid some of the world's most beautiful countryside. In fact, part of the charm of the course is its relatively secluded position. Playing the golf courses of northwest Donegal will give you a flavour of real Irish links golf and how it was before commerciality afflicted the game. You perhaps won't be playing the famed courses that people recognise but you will be playing superb links, with histories to match.
In 1990 the great old man of Irish golf course architecture, Eddie Hackett, was commissioned to build a further eight holes and a second 18 hole layout, designed by Pat Ruddy in the dunes above the existing design and incorporating the Hackett holes, opened in June 2003. Thus as golf enters its third century at Rosapenna, golfers from around the globe have an opportunity to sample 36 excellent, championship links holes in one amazing venue.
Situated 25 miles north of Letterkenny Town in northern Donegal and approximately 2 miles northwest of Carrigart, just outside Rosapenna on the R245 route.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS:
Rosapenna Hotel Restaurant, Downings, Co. Donegal. Tel: (353) 74 55301. Email: rosapenna@eircom.net. Situated nearby the fishing village, fresh seafood is the obvious specialty. Prepared from finest local ingredients.
Rathmullan House, Rathmullan, Co. Donegal. Tel: (353) 74 58188. Email: rathhse@iol.ie. Country house renowned for good food with a glorious seaside setting on Lough Swilly.
Castlegrove House, Ramelton Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Tel: (353) 74 51118. Email: reservations@castlegrove.com. 17th century country house overlooking Lough Swilly and serving excellent cuisine.
The Metropolitan, Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Tel: (353) 74 20800. A contemporary bar and restaurant serving good food.
Rosapenna Golf Links is located where the water meets the wilds of northern Donegal, a place where the Bays of Sheephaven and Mulroy converge. The wild Atlantic waves have chiselled the rugged features of Rosapenna over thousands of years and the resulting beauty is spectacular. The air is fresh and invigorating, while the welcome is extraordinarily warm and sincere in the typical Donegal way. Rosapenna now boasts two superb links golf courses - the Old Tom Morris Links and the excellent but difficult Sandy Hills Course, designed by Pat Ruddy and opened in June 2003.
