Rosapenna Golf

Set along the sweeping shores of Sheephaven Bay in County Donegal, Rosapenna Golf Resort is one of Ireland’s great golf destinations, combining historic links golf with some of the wildest and most unspoiled coastal scenery in the country. With dunes shaped by Atlantic winds, long views across the bay, and a sense of space rarely found elsewhere, Rosapenna delivers a pure and authentic links experience that appeals to golfers seeking both challenge and beauty.

Golf has been played at Rosapenna since the late 19th century, making it one of Ireland’s oldest golfing locations. Today, the resort is home to three exceptional courses, most notably the Old Tom Morris Links and the Sandy Hills Links, designed by Pat Ruddy and regarded as one of the finest modern links in Ireland. The courses sit lightly on the land, with fairways weaving naturally through dunes, greens set into the contours of the coastline, and holes that demand creativity rather than brute force.

The Old Tom Morris Links offers traditional links golf at its most honest, with subtle greens, strategic bunkering, and an emphasis on placement and touch. Sandy Hills provides a more dramatic test, with higher dunes, elevated tees, and panoramic views across the Atlantic and surrounding countryside. Both courses are shaped by the weather, ensuring that no two rounds are ever the same.

Rosapenna’s remote Donegal setting is a major part of its appeal. The surrounding landscape feels timeless, with quiet beaches, small fishing villages, and open skies that stretch endlessly to the horizon. Off the course, visitors can explore nearby landmarks such as Fanad Head Lighthouse, Doe Castle, and the rugged coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way, all of which enhance the sense of escape and connection to place.

Rosapenna is not about excess or spectacle. It is about authenticity, landscape, and golf as it was meant to be played. For those seeking a true links experience in a setting that remains refreshingly untouched, Rosapenna stands among Ireland’s finest.