Header Photo courtesy of N & P Links
Tucked away on the rugged west coast of Donegal, where the Atlantic Ocean pounds the shoreline and the skies change by the minute, lies one of Ireland’s most stirring golf experiences: Narin & Portnoo Links. For those who love the romance of links golf—wind-swept fairways, firm turf, and jaw-dropping views—this course is pure soul food.
History and a Holiday Vibe
Narin & Portnoo has been part of the local landscape since 1930, but in recent years it has undergone a remarkable transformation. Thanks to the sensitive redesign work of renowned American architect Gil Hanse and his partner Jim Wagner, the course now sings with purpose and modern clarity, while still echoing the natural rhythm of the land. The result is a course that feels rooted in the wildness of Donegal yet refined in every detail.
From the moment you arrive, there’s a quiet magic to the place. The village of Narin is small and peaceful, with the course stretching out along the coast just a few steps from the beach. There’s a modern small clubhouse with a casual relaxed ambience. There is however—a warm Donegal welcome from the staff and the ever present sound of the sea around you.
The Links
The course has four sets of tees to choose from. The shortest at 5346 years and the back tees at 6904 yards. As there was a strong wind blowing, we chose to play from the yellow tees at 6100 yards. This proved to be the correct choice and even then we struggled to reach a few par 4’s in regulation.
We have chosen to feature the run of holes from 6 through 8 on the front nine and holes 10, 14 and 16 on the back nine. There are many to choose from but we selected these holes on their challenge and their quirkiness, as well as they made for interesting photos.
The First Par 3
Don’t be short on the 6th
The 6th hole is a par 3 of 137 yards The green sits slightly above you and you can’t miss short, right or long. The wind was blowing hard left to right. We went with 9 iron and aimed at the bunker on the left. Even though we struck it well, the wind blew it to the centre of the green and the spin took it further right. We ended up with a 40 foot putt up a small tier and managed to make a par. On Reflection, 8 iron might have been the better choice.
The small green on the 7th
The 7th hole is a short downhill par 4 of 311 yards. If you are feeling brave and if the wind is helping, you could have a crack at it but the chances of finishing on the green are slim. We hit 3 wood to the right side of the fairway and had a blind shot to the green with a sand wedge. Even though we thought we had hit a good shot the ball finished on the back edge. Two putts later we had another par.
The Tough 8th Hole
The dramatic 8th hole Photo courtesy of N & P Links
Even though the 8th is only 373 yards, the tee shot is uphill and the hole was playing into the wind. We hit what we thought was a good drive and that made it onto the plateau. The tee shot had only gone 200 yards. This left us 173 yards straight into the wind. We hit a knocked down 5 wood but pulled it slightly. It finished in a swale left of the green and we didn’t get up and down. Even if we had hit it straight it probably wouldn’t have made it up the slope at the front. This was a tough hole in this wind
Back Nine Blues
Our third shot Ito the 10th green
The opening hole on the back nine is a par 5 of 503 yards. Our drive got caught in the right to left wind as did our 3 wood second shot. This left us the shot above, 100 yards to a green above us and the wind more into our face but still from the right. We knocked down an 8 iron and managed to hold to the left side of the green, Sadly, we then 3 putted for a bogey.
The tight 14th fairway
The 14th hole is a strong par 4 of 433 yards. Missing the fairway right or left is not an option. With the wind a feature on this hole, blowing left to right, we aimed well left and managed to finish on the fairway.
Our approach into the 14th green
As we had hit a reasonable drive. we were left with 140 yards to the green. A solid 8 iron finished 30 feet past the flag and we were delighted to two put for a par.
The Hardest Hole
The 16th hole Photo courtesy of N & P Links
At 409 yards, is not the longest from the yellow tee. From the back tee however, it’s 488 yards. You simply cannot go right on this hole. The fairway follows the curve of the beach and in the right to left wind, it takes a brave person to aim right of the fairways and hope it blows back. We just managed to hold the fairway on the left as we were not that brave to take the tight line. This left us 175 yards. We went with a 5 iron but that didn’t make the putting surface, We chipped up to 8 feet but missed the putt. Another bogey.
One of the joys of Narin & Portnoo is how the course ebbs and flows through its natural setting. There’s a wonderful mix of long and short holes, risk and reward, and constant changes in direction—meaning the wind always seems to come from a different angle. It keeps you thinking, keeps you humble, and keeps you engaged from start to finish.
In Our Opinion
Yet, for all the challenge on a windy day, there’s a wonderful sense of playability at Narin & Portnoo. The fairways are generous, the greens are open-fronted, and recovery shots are often possible with imagination and a trusty bump-and-run. It’s a course that invites creativity—whether you’re a seasoned links player or experiencing it for the first time.
What makes Narin & Portnoo truly special, though, is its atmosphere. It’s not just the design, or the scenery, or even the golf itself—it’s the feeling of being somewhere authentic and unspoiled, where the game still has a sense of place. This isn’t a manufactured resort experience. It’s golf in its purest form: raw, honest, and exhilarating.
Thank you
We would like to offer our thanks to Gerard Kelly of Carr Golf who arranged our visit to Narin & Portnoo. Carr Golf have recently taken on the club and course as a client. In the coming months and years you can expect gradual improvement in the course conditioning and the management and marketing of N & P. Thanks are also due to Yuka and Noleen in the proshop who looked after us superbly on our arrival.
Finally…
For those planning a golf trip to Ireland, Narin & Portnoo is an essential stop, especially if you’re venturing along the Wild Atlantic Way. So if you’re looking for a links adventure that’s off the beaten path but rich in character, pack your waterproofs and your sunscreen, sharpen your short game, and make your way to Donegal. Narin & Portnoo is waiting—and trust me, it’s more than worth the journey.
At a Glance:
- 18 hole championship links
- Dramatic holes on the Atlantic coastline
- Well stocked proshop
- Welcoming and attentive staff
- Relaxed holiday vibe
- Under new management of Carr Golf
- 90 minutes drive from both Derry and Sligo
- Narin & Portnoo website
- Carr Golf Website
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience overseeing several top Scottish Golf Clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
Jim is also an Ambassador for premium clothing brand Fenix Xcell Clothing and also for the Spanish local DMC, Costa Verde Golf.
If your club/resort or brand wants to reach over 400,000 golfers, contact Jim at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 78522 88732.
Featured Post
0
