The course and original clubhouse on the scenic Murvagh Peninsula, with the Atlantic on one side and Donegal Bay on the other, was opened in 1976, after a few years of design and construction by the legendary Eddie Hackett. 

Twenty years later the course was upgraded by another famous Irish golf architect, Pat Ruddy. At the same time a new modern clubhouse was built.

Many of Pat Ruddy’s changes were to modernize the course to take on new golf balls and better equipment. He put in new tees to lengthen the course, and also added some bunkers to make the course a stiff challenge even for the very best.

Since then the course has hosted several major Irish championships and challenged rising stars like the then 14 year old Rory McIlroy, and continues to do so.