Hidden Gems: Northwest Ireland
The most memorable golf trips aren't always about checking off famous courses from your bucket list – sometimes they're about discovering the unexpected. Northwest Ireland, long overlooked by traveling golfers, is proving this point brilliantly.
The St. Patrick's Spark
The region's transformation began in 2012 when the Casey Family, owners of Rosapenna Resort, made a pivotal move. Already home to the Old Tom Morris and Sandy Hills courses, they acquired nearby land that once hosted two defunct golf courses. Enter Tom Doak, the architectural genius behind Tara Iti and Ballyneal. His creation, St. Patrick's Links, opened in June 2021 and promptly earned its place among the world's top 100 courses.
A Collection of Treasures
But St. Patrick's was just the beginning. Ballyliffin, Ireland's northernmost course, offers two distinct experiences with The Old and The Glashedy courses, both hugging the Atlantic coastline. Portsalon, dating back to the 1890s, delivers pure golf with a blue-collar spirit. Then there's Cruit Island – a nine-hole course that might make you rethink everything you know about "short" courses.
The Comeback Story
Perhaps the most captivating tale belongs to Narin & Portnoo (N&P to locals). This course nearly vanished due to financial struggles until a remarkable renovation by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner breathed new life into its fairways. Their work helped cement Northwest Ireland's place in golf's spotlight.
The Perfect Storm
The region's rise isn't accidental. It's the result of visionary families like the Caseys, world-class architects like Doak and Hanse seeing potential where others saw challenges, and courses that remained true to their roots while embracing modern excellence.
Most golf trips are judged by the courses you are expected to play. But in Northwest Ireland, it's the courses you didn't expect that leave the lasting impression. Here, among the windswept dunes and dramatic coastline, golf's next great destination isn't being born – it's finally being discovered.
