Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort has been welcoming golfers to North West Ireland since 1893 and it still feels like a proper Donegal links outpost rather than a polished golf factory. The original course was laid out by Old Tom Morris, with later work by Harry Vardon and Harry Colt in the early 1900s, which tells you everything about the pedigree before you've even stepped onto the first tee.
Today, Rosapenna is all about variety. You've got the heritage and old-school charm of the Old Tom Morris course, Pat Ruddy's bolder Sandy Hills and Tom Doak's St Patrick's Links, opened in 2021. Set between two beaches on Sheephaven Bay, it's a place where the scenery is as much a part of the day as the golf, especially when the wind gets up and you need to keep the ball down.
Downings is right next door for a post-round pint or a change of scene. There are local restaurants that do seafood properly, plus well-known pubs like the Harbour Bar and Olde Glen Bar, ideal if your group likes a bit of atmosphere after 18. If you're looking for an Irish links break where you can play three contrasting courses without packing up and moving on, Rosapenna is made for it.
Who is this for? Serious golfers and groups wanting to play three genuinely different links courses without moving hotels, plus anyone seeking an authentic Irish golf experience in one of the country's most scenic and unspoilt regions.
Who is it best for? Links enthusiasts who appreciate golf history and modern design in equal measure, societies wanting variety and quality in one location and golfers who value spectacular coastal scenery, fresh seafood and a good pub after the round.
