Ballyliffin Golf Club (Old Links)

Overview: Ballyliffin's Old Links runs through the dunes and coastal ground of Inishowen in County Donegal. The 18-hole, par-71 course measures about 6,937 yards and combines firm fairways, natural sandy ground, strategic bunkering, and views toward Pollan Strand. Eddie Hackett helped lay out the playing holes, working with Bord Fáilte and ideas from Lawrie, Pennick, and local adviser Martin Hopkins. The course remains a wind-shaped links where the best strategy often keeps the ball on the ground and uses the contours around the greens.

History: Ballyliffin Golf Club was formally established in 1947-48, but the present Old Links came from a later land purchase and expansion. Work began on the new course in 1970, nine holes were initially prepared, and 18 holes were in play by 1973. Eddie Hackett visited several times and helped site tees and greens. The project gave the club its own large commonage of links land and created the foundation for the later Glashedy Links, which opened in 1995 on another part of the property.

Did You Know? The Old Links is a composite design rather than the work of one architect alone. Hackett's advice was combined with visits from English architects Lawrie and Pennick and practical suggestions from Martin Hopkins, producing a course whose authorship is shared across several strands of Irish links design.