Carne Golf Links among the Belmullet sandhills

Golf · The Northwest Links

Five links, three counties, the biggest dunes in Ireland

Carne, Enniscrone, County Sligo, Narin & Portnoo and St Patrick's Links. The second trip, for golfers who have already done Kerry and Clare.

The quick answer

Fly into Knock. Play Carne first, then Enniscrone (€290 in summer), County Sligo at Rosses Point (from €370 midweek), Narin & Portnoo (€300 for international guests) and finish with two nights at Rosapenna for St Patrick's Links (€330 as a resort guest). Six days. Every fee here comes from the club's own website, checked October 2026.

Most Americans play the southwest first, and they should. But the golfers we know who come back a second time come here. The dunes are taller, the green fees are lower, and on a Tuesday in May you may not see another group all day. If this is your first trip, start with Lahinch and Ballybunion. If you want the north, pair this with the North Coast corridor.

01 · Belmullet, County Mayo

Carne

The Hackett course and Wild Atlantic Dunes

Start at the end of the road. Carne is the biggest sandhill golf in Ireland and the furthest from anywhere, which is exactly why it goes first, while the legs are fresh and the week is still empty.

Green fee
Shown on the club's tee sheet
  • Full payment is taken online when you book. There is no deposit option.
  • Choose the Hackett eighteen, Wild Atlantic Dunes, or a 27 or 36 hole combination.
  • The club publishes no standing green fee table, so we quote none.

Source: the club's own page

Open Carne's tee sheet
Carne Golf Links among the Belmullet sandhills
Photograph courtesy of Carne Golf Links

02 · Enniscrone, County Sligo

Enniscrone

The Dunes

The course that out-dunes the famous ones, at a fee well below them. Play it the morning after Carne and you will understand why we built the week this way.

Summer 2026, 17 March to 31 October
€290
Winter, 1 November to 16 March
€185
  • Half the green fee is charged when you book, the balance thirty days before play.
  • A refund only if you cancel at least twenty days out.
  • Check in at the golf shop thirty minutes before your time.

Source: the club's own page

Open Enniscrone's tee sheet
Enniscrone Dunes course above Killala Bay
Photograph courtesy of Enniscrone Golf Club

03 · Rosses Point, County Sligo

County Sligo

The Colt Championship Links, Rosses Point

The classic of the week. Harry Colt's links under Benbulben, with Yeats country around it. Book it midweek, the price is lower and the clubhouse is yours.

Monday to Thursday, 2027 season
€370
Friday and Sunday from 1pm
€395
Saturday from 1pm
€400
Bomore nine, year round
€80
  • The 2027 season runs 15 March to 15 November.
  • Deposit and cancellation terms: NOT PUBLISHED. Confirm in writing before you pay.
  • Groups of eight or more go through the groups and societies team.

Source: the club's own page

Open County Sligo's tee sheet
County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point beneath Benbulben
Photograph courtesy of County Sligo Golf Club

04 · Gweebara Bay, County Donegal

Narin & Portnoo

The Gil Hanse restoration

The surprise. Hanse and Wagner brought a 1905 links back to life on Gweebara Bay, and most American groups have still never heard of it. That will not last.

International guest, summer 2026, with a golfer's meal
€300
International guest, winter season
€80
  • No live online tee sheet. Booking is by email to the club.
  • Put dates, party size, affiliation and caddie requests in one message.

Source: the club's own page

Read our booking chapter
Narin & Portnoo Links on Gweebara Bay
Photograph courtesy of Narin & Portnoo Links

06 · Inishowen, County Donegal · Optional

Ballyliffin

Glashedy Links and the Old Links

The seventh day, if you have one. Ballyliffin is where this route meets our North Coast corridor, so a longer trip can run straight on to Portrush.

Glashedy, 2026 visitor
€330
Old Links, 2026 visitor
€300
Both courses, same day
€550
  • Full payment when you book.
  • 75% refund 30 days or more out, 50% at 8 to 30 days, nothing inside 7 days.

Source: the club's own page

Open Ballyliffin's tee sheet
Ballyliffin Glashedy Links on the Inishowen peninsula
Photograph courtesy of Ballyliffin Golf Club

The six days

The order we would play it

  1. Day one

    Fly into Knock or Shannon and drive to Belmullet. A short evening, an early night. Carne rewards the rested.

  2. Day two

    Carne. If the group is strong, take the 36 hole combination and play both routings.

  3. Day three

    East along the coast to Enniscrone for the Dunes, then on to a Sligo base for two nights.

  4. Day four

    County Sligo at Rosses Point, midweek. The afternoon is Benbulben, Drumcliff and Yeats's grave.

  5. Day five

    North into Donegal for Narin & Portnoo, then the last stretch to Rosapenna.

  6. Day six

    St Patrick's Links. Stay a second night at Rosapenna and keep the morning for Sandy Hills.

  7. Day seven, optional

    Ballyliffin's 36 hole day, or cross to Portrush and carry on along the North Coast.

Before you go, read caddie, buggy or trolley and which courses need a handicap. For the county itself, see the Donegal Edit, or browse the rest on the golf hub.

Questions

Which courses are on the Northwest links route?

Carne in County Mayo, Enniscrone and County Sligo at Rosses Point in County Sligo, then Narin & Portnoo and St Patrick's Links at Rosapenna in County Donegal. Ballyliffin is the optional seventh day.

What do the Northwest courses cost to play?

From the clubs' own pages: Enniscrone €290 in summer 2026; County Sligo from €370 Monday to Thursday in 2027; Narin & Portnoo €300 for international guests in summer 2026 with a meal; St Patrick's Links €380, or €330 for Rosapenna resort guests, in 2027; Ballyliffin Glashedy €330. Carne shows its fee only on its tee sheet.

How many days does the Northwest golf trip need?

Six, with five rounds and an arrival day. Add a seventh for Ballyliffin, or run on to the North Coast.

Which airport should we fly into?

Knock puts you closest to Carne at the start. Shannon works if you want a longer first drive and more flight options. Leave from Dublin or Belfast if you finish in Donegal.

Can we use a buggy?

Not at St Patrick's Links, which is walking only. Book caddies with the room at Rosapenna. Elsewhere, check the club's hire page before you travel.

This page belongs to golf in Ireland.

Plan the practical details

Build your golf itinerary

Courses, order of play and where to sleep between rounds.