Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links

Old Tom Morris Course

The legendary Old Tom Morris laid out the original links that bears his name in 1891. On his first visit to the area, Morris was struck by the quality of the 'golfing canvas', and before he returned home he staked out the guidelines for his superb creation. In the following decades, both Harry Vardon and James Braid provided amendments, to make the golf course the outstanding challenge that it is today.

With some 15 Open Championship titles between the three contributors, it should come as no surprise that the Old Tom Morris course is one of the finest in the north-west region. The greens are undoubtedly the highlight of the course, with Morris deeming the existing land so good that he only built three of the greens. All fifteen of the others are exactly as the land dictated, natural putting surfaces that have been shaped by wind, rain and time.

This is classic links golf in its purest form. The course runs along the edge of the dunes rather than through them, so it's a little more forgiving than Sandy Hills, but no less enjoyable. The routing is intelligent, the holes varied, and the whole experience feels wonderfully traditional. If you want to understand what Old Tom Morris saw in this stretch of land over 130 years ago, play this course on a clear morning with the sun rising over Sheephaven Bay.

It's the round I'd put first on your trip if you want to settle in, find your links feet and save the bigger beating for Sandy Hills. The fairways are generous enough that you can swing freely, and the greens, while subtly contoured, won't punish a well-struck approach that's a yard or two off line. That said, this is still proper links golf, and if the wind gets up you'll need to think your way around.

The back nine is particularly strong, with a run of holes that play along the coast and offer stunning views across to the Muckish Mountain. It's not the longest course you'll ever play, but it's beautifully balanced and a genuine pleasure to walk. If you're travelling with mixed abilities, this is the course that will suit everyone in the group.

Sandy Hills Course

The addition of the Sandy Hills course in 2003 has only added to Rosapenna's reputation. While Morris' course skirts the fantastic dunes, Pat Ruddy has crafted a monstrous tournament links that cuts through the sandhills of the incredible landscape that so captivated Old Tom over a century ago.

Ruddy's masterpiece measures over 7,100 yards when stretched fully, but in line with modern design principles, a multitude of tees make it playable for golfers of all standards. This is big, bold links golf, the kind that demands accuracy off the tee and rewards good course management. The dunes here are massive, the fairways tumble and roll, and the greens are defended by deep bunkers that you really don't want to find.

What makes Sandy Hills so compelling is the variety. You'll play holes that run along the beach, holes that climb into the dunes and holes that drop back down towards Sheephaven Bay. The wind is always a factor, and on a breezy day this course will test every club in the bag. If the wind's up, take one more club and keep it under the breeze. It sounds obvious, but this place will eat high, floaty shots.

The par threes are particularly memorable, with a couple playing over deep valleys to greens perched on the far side. Miss the green and you're looking at a tricky up-and-down at best. The par fives give you a chance to open the shoulders, but even those demand smart positioning because the fairways narrow as you approach the greens.

It's a proper championship test, but it's also enormous fun, the kind of golf that stays with you long after you've left Donegal. I'd suggest playing this one second on your trip, after you've found your links legs on the Old Tom Morris, because Sandy Hills will punish rust and reward rhythm.

Intensive golf clinics are available, with expert tuition from the resident PGA professional.

St Patrick's Links

St Patrick's Links has quickly become a must-play for all golfers. Designed by the famed Tom Doak, who has a wealth of award-winning designs ranging from Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand to Streamsong in Florida, the course enjoys an incredible landscape. Already considered one of the best in North West Ireland, it's widely tipped to feature in Top 100 lists and is already attracting serious attention from travelling golfers.

Reaching out from the edge of the Atlantic, St Patrick's Links is a spectacular golf course. The setting, on huge dunes with high cliffs to one side and Sheephaven Bay to the other, is unlike anything in Ireland or elsewhere. Bold bunkering features throughout, and a few of those traps are properly penal. On some holes the views go on for miles and miles. There is little doubt that St Patrick's Links will go on to be recognised as one of the best links golf courses in Europe.

Doak has created something genuinely special here. The routing is brilliant, using every inch of the dramatic duneland to maximum effect. You'll play holes that feel like they're hanging off the edge of the world, with the Atlantic crashing below and the wind howling across the fairways. The bunkering is bold and strategic, the greens are beautifully contoured, and the whole course has a wild, natural feel that makes it utterly compelling.

What strikes you most is how varied the holes are. You'll face long par fours that demand two perfect strikes, short par fours where the temptation to drive the green can lead to disaster, and par threes that range from delicate wedges to full long irons depending on the wind. The greens are large and rolling, with subtle breaks that are hard to read until you've played the course a few times.

This is the headline act at Rosapenna, the course that will draw serious golfers from across Europe and beyond. It's also the toughest of the three, so if you're playing all three in quick succession, save your best golf for this one. The combination of Doak's design, the dramatic landscape and the ever-present wind makes for a round you won't forget.

With three links on site, Rosapenna is ideal for a 2 or 3-night Donegal break. If you want guaranteed tee times on Sandy Hills, Old Tom Morris and St Patrick's Links, we can build a package around your dates, group size and preferred round combination.