Portsalon,
Fanad, Co. Donegal
Office
+353 (0)74 915 9459Pro shop
+353 (0)74 915 9459Fax
+353 (0)74 915 9459Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
Daragh Lyons (Club Manager).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb (more so on the back-nine)
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Original design by Charles Thompson (golf professional at Portrush GC); substantial improvements designed by Pat Ruddy (2000).
55.201994
-7.626914
47 miles NW of Derry (Londonderry)
From the town of Letterkenny, take the R245 direction Rathmelton / Milford. After 20 km (go through Milford) turn right direction Kerrykeel / Fanad. After 1.5 km turn onto the R246 direction Kerrykeel / Fanad and follow the R246. After approx 14 km turn right direction Portsalon Golf Hotel. After 1.1 km turn right direction Portsalon GC. After 1 km turn right into golf club.
Portsalon Golf Club: The Fanad Peninsula in County Donegal is one of Ireland's quieter corners, where a memorable links golf course combines with spectacular mountain scenery and breathtaking sea views. Relatively recent improvements to the layout at Portsalon have catapulted it into the upper echelons of Ireland's coastal courses - both in terms of scenery (which has been here since time immemorial) and the playing quality of the holes (a more recent phenomenon).
Several idiosyncratic and criss-crossing holes have now been straightened out and a more uniform and stronger layout has resulted. The renovation has not however altered the timeless charms of this seaside course, and its inherent golfing challenges.
With the majority of the layout played through an impressive area of sand dunes alongside the North Atlantic Ocean, you are assured of great scenery, not least the views onto Ballymacstocker Bay and Lough Swilly. The layout itself provides a thorough examination of your overall game; there are times when long and straight is an essential requirement from the tee.
The tranquillity of the environment here at Portsalon is only interrupted by the wind (and occasional gales) that blow through, and on sunny summer days the sounds of playful youngsters on the beach.
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Must book in advance. Handicap required.
Contact club for full details, discounts, packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire
Good
Running alongside the golf course at Portsalon are 3 km of pristine golden sand that form spectacular Ballymastocker Beach. County Donegal's Fanad Peninsula is home to several other fabulous beaches, as well as the impressive Fanad Head lighthouse (located 12 km north of Portsalon).
Ireland's 24th best course (Golf World, 2025).
Britain & Ireland's 116th best course (Golf World, 2025).
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Portsalon; Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris and Sandy Hills courses).
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Portsalon (o.5 km)
Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris and Sandy Hills courses)
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