Is Portmarnock Resort Ireland’s most complete golf destination?

Just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport, Portmarnock Resort and its Jameson Golf Links deliver world-class golf, luxury hospitality, and a true taste of Ireland.

Two hours after leaving London, I was standing on the first tee at Jameson Golf Links, the salty breeze rolling in from the Irish Sea and the sound of waves drifting across the dunes. Few golf destinations in the world offer this kind of immediacy. Land at Dublin Airport, grab your clubs, and within 20 minutes you can be gazing down the fairways of one of Ireland’s most striking links courses.

First impressions? There wasn’t a single weak hole. Each felt like its own little theatre, framed by the rugged natural contours of the coastline and the ever-changing light off the Irish Sea. It’s rare, when judging a golf course, not to find one or two moments that fall flat. Here, every hole carried its own story, quirks, views, and challenges, and not once did the rhythm of the round dip.

That sense of drama is no accident. Originally designed in 1995 by two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer, Jameson Golf Links has recently undergone a multi-million-pound redevelopment. Tee boxes and greens have been raised to open up sweeping ocean vistas, with panoramic views stretching across the Velvet Strand and out to Ireland’s Eye. On the elevated par threes, it’s impossible not to stop for a moment; the sweeping views make golf here as much about theatre as it is about shot-making.

Back at the resort, the experience continues with a contrast as sharp as the coastal winds. On the Jameson side, the hotel wears its history proudly, with dark wood panelling, vintage artwork, and the quiet grandeur of what was once the Jameson family home. Cross into the newer wing and the style flips: modern elegance, sleek interiors, and bedrooms that feel like the perfect reward after a long walk over the dunes.

The Resort & Hotel

What struck me about Portmarnock Resort was its dual personality. On one side, you’ve got the Jameson heritage, where wood panelling, paintings, and period details whisper back to the 19th century, when this was the Jameson family home. It feels distinctly Irish, warm, characterful, and steeped in history.

Then you step across to the hotel, and the mood shifts entirely: clean lines, modern elegance, and a sense of indulgence that makes you want to linger. It’s a rare mix, but one that works beautifully, marrying heritage with contemporary comfort.

My own room struck the perfect balance between luxury and practicality. Spacious, stylish, and equipped with everything you’d want after a windswept day on the links, it felt like a sanctuary. The bed was super comfortable, and the touches of design detail gave the room a finish well above what you would expect.

And then there’s the food and drink…

Whether it was a hearty breakfast before golf, fresh seafood in the evening, or simply a post-round pint in the bar, every moment felt dialled in to the setting. There’s something about sipping a Guinness, or perhaps a Jameson whiskey, in the very place where the famous family once lived that feels especially right. The Sibín Pub is the resort’s own nod to that heritage, where guided whiskey tastings add a little extra warmth to an already welcoming stay.

The Ultimate Irish Golf Experience

As good as Jameson Golf Links is on its own, the resort has gone a step further by positioning itself as a true gateway to Irish golf. Their new Ultimate Irish Jameson Golf Links Experience packages up some of the most famous names in the game into one seamless trip. Portmarnock acts as the hub, with golfers not only playing its own dramatic coastal layout but also ticking off the very best courses on this coastline: Portmarnock Golf Club, The Island, County Louth, and Royal Dublin. And then there’s the headline act: a round at Royal County Down, one of the best courses in the world.

What makes this offering so clever is the balance between bucket-list golf and stress-free logistics. Airport and golf transfers are included, which means the only thing you need to think about is whether to hit driver or iron off the tee. Back at the resort, the itinerary weaves in some of Ireland’s best-loved cultural experiences, a tour of Trinity College, a visit to the Jameson Distillery, and a guided whiskey tasting at the resort’s own Sibín Pub. It’s a blend of pure links golf, history, and Irish hospitality that few destinations can match.

For golfers who want it all, world-class courses, a luxury base, and a taste of Dublin in between rounds, it’s hard to imagine a more complete package. You’re immersed in the rugged beauty of the coast one moment, then raising a glass of Jameson the next, with Dublin’s city centre only half an hour away if you want a change of pace. It feels less like a golf trip and more like an Irish experience, one built around the game but enriched by everything that surrounds it.

Dublin on the doorstep

One of the biggest surprises about Portmarnock Resort is just how easy it makes everything. We landed in Dublin at seven in the morning, hopped into a taxi, and within 15 minutes were checking in at the resort. By nine o’clock, I was standing on the first tee. For anyone flying in from London, that means you could leave home at breakfast and be playing links golf before lunch. For a golf destination, that kind of accessibility is hard to beat.

But it isn’t just the closeness to the airport that makes Portmarnock so appealing; it’s the way it connects you to Dublin itself. One afternoon, we strolled down to Portmarnock train station, grabbed a return ticket for about €10, and in just 20 minutes were stepping off the DART in the heart of the city. From there, Dublin is yours to explore.

We wandered Temple Bar, enjoyed live music, sampled more Guinness than was probably wise, and soaked up the energy of one of Europe’s most charismatic capitals. A personal highlight was a visit to the Guinness Storehouse, a pilgrimage every bit as essential as the first tee from learning the history of the black stuff to enjoying that perfectly poured pint with panoramic city views.

That balance is what makes Portmarnock Resort so special. Spend the morning chasing birdies along the dunes, the afternoon exploring Dublin’s history, pubs, or distilleries, and the evening back at the hotel bar with a whiskey in hand. It’s a rhythm that few golf resorts can offer and one that makes the whole experience feel effortlessly complete.

More than just a round

Looking back, what struck me most about Portmarnock Resort was just how complete it felt. The golf course is world-class, the hotel blends history with modern luxury, Dublin is on the doorstep, and the staff made every moment easy. There wasn’t a weak hole on the course, and there wasn’t a weak note in the experience, from the first tee shot to the last sip in the bar.

And of course, this is Dublin. It would be almost rude to visit without dabbling in a Guinness or two, and a tipple of Jameson feels practically compulsory when you’re staying in what was once the Jameson family home. It’s part of the charm here: golf, whiskey, stout, and stories all rolling together into one trip.

For me, Portmarnock is more than just a resort; it’s a gateway to Irish golf and culture. Whether you’re flying in for a quick escape or planning the full ‘Ultimate Experience’, it delivers everything you’d want from an Irish golf break. Golf courses don’t come much better, and neither do golf trips.