Trump International, Ireland (Doonbeg)

Trump International Golf Links, Ireland - or as it is affectionately known, 'Doonbeg' from a former life - has been through a lot in its short history. 

Storms ravaged this part of the world through the winter of 2013/2014, with parts of the original Greg Norman course being lost to the sea. Thanks to the ownership of Donald Trump, and the craft of Martin Hawtree, the course was brought back to its former glory following those storms.

Hawtree was the man behind the Old Course at Trump International, Scotland and he did not change too much from the original Greg Norman design at Doonbeg. The changes are, in the main, subtle and in many cases hard to put your finger on, even for the studiously observant. 

 

Situated on the western tip of the Republic of Ireland, and looking out over Doughmore Beach and Doughmore Bay, Doonbeg firmly remains one of the greats of the Republic. 


Check out our full piece on the Trump International, Ireland Resort here.
Visit Trump International Ireland's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
 

Despite the area having been considered as an ideal location for a golf course for more than a century, it was only in 1999 when the Doonbeg Golf Club Ltd became real.

Construction of the golf course began just prior to the turn of the millennium, with Australian Greg Norman being the man to design the 18-hole lay-out. He would play in the match that opened the golf course in 2002, beating Padraig Harrington 2 to 1.

Storms hit the western coast of the Republic of Ireland throughout the 2013/14 winter season, with the original 14th hole succumbing to the conditions. In February 2014, the Trump Organisation acquired the property.

It was renamed the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland, and Martin Hawtree was brought in to return the course to its former glory. Much of Norman's original design remains to this day, but Hawtree's masterful touch has pushed Trump Ireland into the upper echelons of golfing experiences in the isle of Ireland.

 

The golf experience is not dissimilar to Kingsbarns – it is a spectacular, fun layout, on an amazing piece of land. It gives a lot of chances, it flatters and it makes sure you have a good day. The routing is very similar to that of Lahinch, its near neighbour. You broadly play out along the coastline, play an exceptional par 5 at the far end, and then head back largely on the inland side of the dune.

 

Doonbeg deals with this through clever angles and intelligent shaping. Your eye is drawn towards the dune system and away from the unspectacular farm land that flanks the course. Quietly, it is not quite the same as the other Irish dune-scape monsters. It is somehow subtler. The greens shed to friendly little hollows, not inescapable pot bunkers, the dunes provide a backdrop and are not really part of the challenge, and the tees of the day give everyone a chance of a round that is under four hours and under handicap.

 

Risk-and-reward par 4s abound on the front nine. From the Gold tees, at least three of the par 4s were drivable on a half which also offers three par 5s and a pair of par 3s – so even for the weak of mind or muscle, only one hole leaves you fishing for anything more than a short iron for your approach. And that is a good thing. You are here for a good time, to enjoy the golf course, not be beaten up by it. 

 

People say the 1st hole and the 1st tee shot are as good as it gets. Those people would be correct! A huge dune forms the backdrop to the green and provides a sense of theatre to this grandest of openers. The fairway is wide and a good tee shot and favourable wind mean many will have a chance to reach in two. 

 

The 2nd is a tough par 4, before the first of those drivable short 4s. The 3rd is only 310 yards, though for some, a long iron to avoid the trio of bunkers will still leave a short iron or wedge to the green. From the tips, the 4th is 660 yards. Even from the Golds, it pushes to 599 yards... It is longest hole on the property and will require three great shots to get home! Both 5 and 6 are around the 300-yard mark, with the former having a split fairway to stay short of before firing your approach at the green.  

 

Around the turn, there is a great run of par 3, par 5, par 3, par 5, par 3. The 7th is the longest of the par 3s, at more than 200 yards. Four bunkers guard the green, that looks like a very small target from the tee.The 8th is a 545-yard par 5, and another three-shotter, before you come to the closing hole on the front nine, which takes you to the furthest point from the clubhouse. The 9th is a 165-yard par 3, with anything left of the green having the chance of finding the beach.

 

At 555 yards, the 10th is another stern test. It is a long hole that moves round slightly to the left, with a burn cutting across the fairway halfway down, before then running the length of the left side from there on in. The last par 3 in the run is only 150 yards, but the approach shot is played to a narrow sliver of green.

 

12 is one of the tougher par 4s on the course, but it is still shy of 400 yards from the Gold tees. The last of the par 5s comes at 13, and at less than 500 yards, this will be the one where a birdie is very achievable, providing you find the fairway with both your first and second shots, before the sharp turn right towards the green. The shortest hole on the course is the 14th - a 125-yard par 3. The green sits next to Doughmore Beach, with anything right of the putting surface finding the sand.
 

The closing stretch at Trump International, Ireland features a trio of tricky par 4s. The 15th is only 350 yards, but with a split fairway, drive might not necessarily be the play. 16 is the last of the par 3s. At 195 yards, it will require your best long iron or fairway wood to find the surface. A pair of long par 4s take you back to the clubhouse. 17 is a dog-leg right, with the fairway angled away from the tee box. The closing hole is another dog-leg right, this time with the tee shot cutting over the corner of Doughmore Beach. Anything too far right off the tee will find the beach, not what you need on the last!
 

Where is Trump International, Ireland located?
The Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg Ireland is situated on the western coastline of the Republic of Ireland, just down the road from the village of Doonbeg. The course overlooks Doughmore Beach and out to the North Atlantic Ocean. The cities of Shannon and Limerick are both within 50 miles of the venue.

Shannon is also home to the nearest airport to Trump International, Ireland. Shannon Airport is 40 miles from the golf club, and it is the third-busiest airport in the country, behind only Dublin and Cork. The nearest train station to Trump International Ireland is in the town of Ennis, but that is some 25 miles away.

 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Ireland venues nearby?
There is only one other venue in County Clare, other than Trump International, that claims a spot on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list. That is Lahinch's Old Course, which is 20 miles north. Dromoland Castle, which like Trump International is also on our GB&I Resorts list as well, is 30 miles inland from Doonbeg.

What golf facilities does Trump International, Ireland offer?  
Along with the championship links, the driving range at Trump Ireland is over 300 yards with hitting areas at either side and seven target greens at differing distances from the hitting areas. There is also a stunning short game complex and putting green to allow golfers to put the finishing touches on their practice before taking to the course.
 

What are the green fees at Trump International, Ireland?
The price of a green fee at Trump International, Ireland changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

 

For more information on current green fees at Doonbeg, visit their booking website here.

 

Check out our full piece on the Trump International, Ireland Resort here.
Visit Trump International Ireland's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.