Portmarnock golf guide: Dublin's great championship links
The revered links on a peninsula north of Dublin — a long-time Irish Open host now under R&A consideration for a future Open. How visitors play it, when to go, and the Dublin links cluster.
Portmarnock is the great links of the Dublin area — a revered championship course on a sandy peninsula 15 km north of the city, all but surrounded by the Irish Sea and a tidal estuary. Founded in 1894, it has hosted the Irish Open many times, the 1991 Walker Cup and the 1960 Canada Cup, and it's consistently rated among Ireland's and the world's finest links.
It's also at the centre of golf's biggest venue story: the R&A is assessing Portmarnock as a potential host of The Open — which would be the first ever staged outside Great Britain. Here's the course, how visitors play the members' club (not to be confused with the hotel links next door), when to go, and the Dublin cluster around it.
Where
Portmarnock peninsula, County Dublin, Ireland (near Malahide)
Course
A 27-hole links; the Championship 18 plays to par 72
Nearest airport
Dublin (DUB) ~20 min; ~30 min north of the city centre
Best time
May–Sep for weather & daylight; wind a factor any month
Access
Private members' club — visitors on set days; book ahead
W.C. Pickeman & George Ross (Mungo Park consulting) · 1894 · 18 (of 27) holes · Links · par 72
Multiple Irish Open host; under R&A consideration for a future Open
A classic, natural links on superb sandy ground — relatively flat but full of subtlety, with the wind coming off the sea from any direction and few weak holes. The par-3 15th, running toward the shore, is often named among the great short holes in golf. Founded in 1894, it's a pure, understated links that many good judges rank ahead of Ireland's more dramatic dune courses.
Its pedigree is deep: a long-time Irish Open venue, host of the 1991 Walker Cup and the 1960 Canada Cup. And it's now the focus of the R&A's feasibility work on taking The Open outside Great Britain for the first time — under active consideration, though nothing is yet confirmed.
How visitors play Portmarnock
Portmarnock is a private members' club that welcomes visitors on set days (typically some weekday and Sunday windows; closed to visitors on other days) — advance booking is essential through the club's visitor portal. It's a walking links — buggies are reserved for members, not visitors — and caddies are available and well worth taking for the subtle lines and the wind. A traditional dress code applies (collared shirts, tailored trousers or shorts; no jeans, tracksuits or sports jerseys).
One important note: this is Portmarnock Golf Club, the historic members' links — not the neighbouring Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, a separate resort course next door. Confirm the current visitor days and green fees with the club before travelling.
May to September brings the most reliable weather and the longest daylight, though wind is a factor at any time of year — it's central to how the links plays. Shoulder-season and winter golf is possible and quieter, but come prepared for the Irish Sea breeze whatever the month.
Getting there
Portmarnock is remarkably close to the city: about 30 minutes north of Dublin and, handily, only around 20 minutes from Dublin Airport (DUB) — one of the most convenient world-class links to reach anywhere. It sits near Malahide, served by the DART/rail line with a short onward transfer.
How to play it
Portmarnock is the centrepiece of a superb north-Dublin links cluster — pair it with The Island (just across the estuary), Royal Dublin on Bull Island, and County Louth (Baltray) to the north, plus the Portmarnock Hotel links next door. It's a very different Irish trip to the dune-heavy south-west — see our Ireland golf trip guide — and pairs well with a couple of days in Dublin itself.
What to pack
The kit this trip demands
Portmarnock is exposed, walking links golf by the Irish Sea — pack a proper links weather kit and expect to carry your own bag:
Yes, on set days. It's a private members' club that welcomes visitors during certain weekday and Sunday windows, by advance booking through its visitor portal. It's a walking links — buggies are members-only — and caddies are available.
Is Portmarnock going to host The Open?
It's under consideration, not confirmed. The R&A is assessing Portmarnock as a potential host of The Open, which would be the first ever staged outside Great Britain — but as of 2026 nothing has been awarded, and it remains a feasibility study.
Is Portmarnock Golf Club the same as the Portmarnock Hotel links?
No. Portmarnock Golf Club is the historic 1894 members' links. The neighbouring Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links is a separate resort course (a Bernhard Langer design) with different ownership — make sure you book the right one.
What's the best time to play Portmarnock?
May to September gives the most reliable weather and longest daylight. Wind is a factor at any time of year and is central to how the links plays, so pack for the Irish Sea breeze whatever the month.
How do you get to Portmarnock?
It's about 30 minutes north of Dublin and only around 20 minutes from Dublin Airport — one of the most convenient world-class links anywhere. It sits near Malahide, served by the DART/rail line.
