Destination Golf Ireland 2016 | Page 143

Donegal The stunning setting of Donegal Golf Club (aka Murvagh) is an integral part of this wonderful links golf experience… as is the long, isolated drive through the forest to reach the course. ‘Long’ and ‘isolated’ also aptly describe the golf course. The club is tucked away from prying eyes (barely a house to be seen on the surrounding hills and Blue Stack Mountains) and such remoteness is enchanting. As for length, Donegal is renowned for it. From the back tees it is 6,765 metres, so you’ll be pleased to know there are five tees to choose from. Low snaking dunes rush over the spacious terrain, rising to become more aggressive beasts next to Donegal Bay. Here you will find the most thrilling holes as the shapes of the dunes are set free to wreak havoc across fairways and around greens. This is where you will be tossed about most. The par three 5th is the starting point. It is called Valley of Tears… what more do you need to know. Holes are visually stunning – thank you Eddie Hackett – and Donegal promises two loops of nine with one routed inside the other. 141