Donegal Golf Club (Murvagh)

Eddie Hackett, the famous Irish links golf architect, laid out the course at Donegal in 1973 and it is today consistently ranked amongst Ireland’s top 20. Located on the rugged northwest coast and situated on the Murvagh peninsula, with spectacular views across Donegal Bay and the Bluestack Mountains, Donegal is often called the Muirfield of Ireland due to its similar layout. Over the years Pat Ruddy has done some re-modeling which also included a new clubhouse in 1998.

Donegal Golf Course overview

Although close to 7500 yards off the championship tees and regarded as one of the longest courses in Europe, Donegal (or Murvagh as it is commonly called) is a relatively easy walk and welcome break from the rollercoaster dunes found on other links courses in the region.

Using Scotland’s Muirfield as a model, the front nine runs counter-clockwise around the perimeter of the peninsula, with the back forming an inner clockwise loop. With holes running in all different directions the wind plays a major part in how best to play the course and will keep you guessing.

Signature hole

The par-3 5th hole is known as ‘Valley of Tears’ for good reason. 196-yards off the tips and all carry across the valley, your best chance is to aim at the bunker back left of the green. If you make the putting surface, then its bowl shape will help feed your ball towards the pin. Anything short will be swallowed up by a huge bunker way below the green’s elevation.

Did You Know?

The word ‘murvagh’ means ‘land surrounded by water’