In reading finnegans new book "Where Golf is Great" i discovered this links course in Donegal, Ireland.  Does anyone know of it, or possibly have some pics, hoping maybe Aidan has been there.  i have a special interest in this place because an irish cousin is a member and the family owns a pub "Packies" just across the Gweebarra bay from the course.  i am sure i will get there some day.  finnegans quote was "a majestic jewel" for fear of overusing the phrase hidden jem.

N&P has been mentioned favorably here a few times over the past couple of years. I more or less came across the course by accident on a trip in 1994. The first 4 or 5 holes are more or less across flattish pastureland. But once you get into the seaside dunes, things get VERY interesting, with a lot of bumps and humps. The 360 degree view from the 6th or 7th tee is truly spectacular. Definitely worth a detour if you are in that part of Ireland.

Sorry Racetrack_George, no images of Nairn and Portnoo yet. Scheduled to shoot there this coming Summer.

Aidan.

George,
I know it well and am a member there. I will be there this weekend. The views from the course are outstanding but I have not (yet) visited that Pub. I have many pictures but have not posted pictures before - will try to post a few over the next few days. The course has improved dramatically over the last few years and is one of the most fun courses you will ever play.
Johnny

I've played N&P.  A fine little club that could not be more understated.  

Johnny - how is the re-working of the home holes going?  Those final holes looked great although they were not finished when we visited last year.

JC

here are some photos compliments of Johnny Brown

8th Green

New 15th Hole
IMG]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e213/paxonpro/new15th.jpg[/IMG]

Wonderful pictures!  Racetrack - if that is you on the tee you look to have a great swing.

We visited N&P during a gale.  It was a blustery but mostly clear day with the wind blowing so hard power lines to the hamlet had been down for hours.  We arrived on "ladies day" to a dark clubhouse.  A pleasant woman took our Euros for a few tokens, Guinnesses and greens fees and hand wrote us receipts - her cash register had no power.  We were early and she told us we were free to 'play on' after all the women were off for the day.  Three showed up.

N&P played downwind on the outward half and we were merrily enjoying Herculaneum distances blasting over par 5s in two.  At the marvelous spit of land where N&P makes a somewhat convoluted turn, we reversed direction directly into the wind.  Bent over like Quasimodos we fought our way back to the clubhouse in one of the most severe conditions (and it wasn't even raining!) I have ever played in.  

Still it's a place I want to see again and I recommend it to all.  With the new holes N&P is a strong second echelon gem that almost any of the treehouse denizens would greatly appreciate.

JC

where is the green in the pic of 17 tee?

The course is affectionately called Narin and Portmoo because of all the cows that inhabit the land.  These pictures are terrific...lok at the way the land just rolls all over the place.  What terrific fairway undulation and green contours!

I think the course was highlighted in either "golfing in ireland" or "links of heaven" I forget which.  I'll look it up tonight when I get home.

Actually, the outward 4-5 holes are rather flat with much less surface definition.  A picture of the 2nd or 3rd hole would look nothing like the posted pictures.  The course really starts rock and rolling around 7(?) (8?) when it heads uphill into the dunes.

JC