Hole-by-Hole Guide

The first loop of the course runs counter clockwise, on the outer edges of the golf course, with the views of the sea and surrounding area and Slains.

The second hole is the only hole on the course that faces west, into the prevailing winds and is a challenge par 4, especially from the back tees.

The third hole runs parallel to what was once known as Fosters Island. Originally part of the Hamilton estate, the island, as well as the Murvagh peninsula, was purchased by Arthur Foster in the early 1800s. He later renamed the island as Bell’s Island, in memory of his wife, Arabella Hamilton, whom he married on […]

Bell’s Isle was the location of ‘Foster’s Castle’, a 19th century manor house, and home to Arthur and Arabella Foster. The venue of great parties and affairs during the 1800’s, only portions of the manor house currently remain standing; the island has been reclaimed by the trees and bushes that Foster once planted.

The Valley of Tears is one of the signature holes of the course.

The Hassans means ‘swift currents’. A monument across the Hassans marks the spot where in the 1800’s, Irish emigrants boarded “coffin ships” and left their homeland during the Famine to head to America and beyond in the hope of a better life.

St. Ernan, who died around 640 AD, was the nephew of St. Columba, and his monastery was located locally in Drumholm and a local island is named after him. In the early 1800’s, John Hamilton built a small ‘cottage’ on the island, which are still stands inhabited today. Once converted into a hotel, it is […]

Another one of the signature holes of the course. In the Annals of the Four Masters, it is recorded that in 1490, a race meeting was held, where Turlough O’Boyle, a local chieftain, was thrown from his horse and died as a consequence, as he raced up what was called ‘the ridge of Murbhach’ or […]

To the locals, the word ‘murvagh’ means a low lying plain that can be reclaimed by the sea. The 9th tee box boasts a spectacular view of the beach, known locally as the Back Strands, as well as Benbulben, Mullaghmore and the Atlantic Ocean. Murvagh Beach is one of the many Blue Flag beaches in […]

The second loop of the course is an inner loop, somewhat more protected from the sea, and runs clockwise. The original course was designed by Eddie Hackett, the renowned Irish course designer, and the 10th hole honours him, by bearing his name.

This area of Donegal has been inhabited for millennia, as evidenced by the number of ringforts or raths that have been located in the surrounding countryside. Tradition associates the circular remains of the rath with leprechauns and fairies, calling them ‘fairy forts’. It is speculated that one may have existed here just short and to […]

The 12th is another hole that has been redesigned by Pat Ruddy. The views are spectacular with close to a 360 degree panoramic view of the mountains, hills, farmland and surrounding area. On a good day, you can see the Grey Mare’s Tail, a waterfall that wends its way down the Bluestack Mountains into the […]

Prior to its current location, Donegal Golf Club was located in the townland of Tullycullion, closer to Donegal Town. The site of the original course can be seen from the green on the 13th hole, along with the Blue Stack Mountains and Barnesmore Gap in the background.

The Murvagh Peninsula was a prolific warren, in the past, and the course is still blessed with hares, badgers, squirrels and a myriad of birds. During the season, many a golfer has had to pause his shot, while hares scamper across the fairway, to parts unknown.

The golf course abounds with larks, a ground nesting bird that makes its home in the protected areas of rough, away from the fairways. It is commonplace, with an errant shot, to see these small birds pop up from the rough, attempting to distract the oncoming golfer away from its nest. The singing of this […]

The late H.L. Temple, owner of Magee’s of Donegal, was instrumental in acquiring the land, both for the original course in Tullycullion, and the present course in Murvagh, and this hole is named in his memory. While much of the history of crop planting on this peninsula has been erased with time, the potato ridges […]

A souterrain is an underground chamber which may have served as a place of safe storage for foodstuffs and valuables, or as a hiding place in times of danger and is often found close to a ringfort. During the 6th century the souterrain under the 17th tee box was undoubtedly used by some of the […]

Barnesmore Gap, meaning ‘the Big Gap’, is a gap through the Bluestack Mountains that was carved out as a U shaped valley during the last Ice Age. As with many other features of Donegal, it is of great geological importance, and stands in the distance, directly behind the 18th tee box.