Your adventure of discovery begins at Rosapenna Resort, which alongside exquisite accommodations and amenities now boasts three epic courses, including the recently opened  St Patricks Links. A Tom Doak masterpiece, St Patricks is carved from stunning links landscape with breath-taking views over Sheephaven Bay.  Next stop in this small sliver of the Wild Atlantic Way played host to the Irish Open in 2018, Ballyliffin Golf Club moulded by architects the likes of Old Tom Morris, James Braid, Harry Vardon, H.S. Colt, Eddie Hackett, and Pat Ruddy. Historic, yet contemporary, it provides golf travellers with the firm and fast terrain that only authentic links layouts can.  Golf on the Wild Atlantic Way is celebrated for its high dunes framing holes and fairways. At Sandy Hills, architect Pat Ruddy has instead sculpted through the dunes. The result is dramatic, with great drops in elevations and beautifully crafted undulating fairways. 

Not to be forgotten is recently renovated Narin & Portnoo Links in County Donegal. “We are fortunate to work on some of the top golf courses around the world but there is something romantic about this.” Coming from legendary architect Gill Hanse, that quote verifies the necessity of playing this hidden gem. Equally historic courses across northwest Ireland beckon visiting golfers, including Enniscrone Golf Club, founded in 1930 and showcases classic links golf features alongside newly constructed holes and layouts that have kept the clubs relevant, as the sport continues to evolve.

Your final round is at a course that provides Irish amateurs with their toughest test of the year, when it hosts the West of Ireland Championship, a tournament previously won by major champions such as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. “Rosses Point,” Peter Allis once said, “is a gentle sleeping giant…it can be a tremendous test for the highest quality player and great fun for the modest player. It stands at the top of great Irish courses”. Wash it all down and recap the best of the day as you explore the craic and culture of little villages along the magical Wild Atlantic Way.