Donegal Golf Club

Donegal Golf Club, more commonly referred to as ‘Murvagh’ in the golf community, is a masterful collaboration of Eddie Hackett and Pat Ruddy – two of Ireland’s finest links golf architects. This spectacular course sits on the Murvagh Peninsula against the beautiful backdrop of Donegal Bay and the Bluestock Mountains. 

The outward nine loops anticlockwise with the inward nine playing clockwise, and it plays to an unusual par 73 for both men and women, with five par 5s, four par 3s, and nine par 4s. Both the stunning setting and monster championship layout of Donegal Golf Course make it an incredibly popular stop on our North West Ireland Golf Tour.

The original Hackett design opened in 1973 and then Pat Ruddy updated and modernized the course in 1992 and 2017. Ruddy lengthened the course to a stout 7,450 yards from the tips and bettered at least 11 of the original holes.

With the overall length and constant ever changing wind as a hazard on its own, the course now features 5 sets of tees. Plus a beginner tee to bring more people and juniors into the game and provide enjoyment for every skill level of golfer.

Despite its length it is an easy walk with no dramatic elevation changes. Even without large elevation changes the stunning views, especially on the outward loop, are enough to distract even the lowest handicappers.

The signature 5th hole, aptly named, ‘Valley of Tears’ having caused a few, even from the professionals. A 195-yard par 3, requiring a semi-blind tee shot to a narrow plateau green defended by bunkers in front and below.

Darren Clarke, a longtime member, admits Donegal Golf Club is ‘One of my favorite courses in the world.’ Be sure and allow some time on your North West Golf trip to also go shopping in the town of Donegal and bring home some of their famous tweed.