By Brian Keogh
Pádraig Harrington believes Seapoint Golf Links can position itself to bid for the Irish Open once a €7 million redesign of the Co Louth course is complete.
The Dubliner is working with architect Giulia Ferroni of Leeds Golf Design and Roddy Carr to reimagine the links, originally designed by Declan Branigan and Des Smyth and opened in 1993. The course will close temporarily next year and reopen in 2028.
“There’s no doubt we’re looking for the wow factor,” Harrington said in a promotional video. “They ain’t making any more linksland. Seapoint has some of the best. Everybody remembers the last couple of holes — 16, 17, 18, spectacular. It’s our job to make sure they remember the other 15 as well. The idea is that this golf course can host an Irish Open.”
Seapoint has hosted the Irish Amateur Close in 2014, the Irish PGA in 2010 and 2011, the Irish Men’s Amateur Open in 2025 and 2026, and two Irish Legends events on the European senior tour.
“When I was approached about the redevelopment of Seapoint, it really was a no-brainer for me,” Harrington added. “The excitement to be involved with a links golf course — they’re just not making any more links land, at least links land you can develop in Ireland.”
He hopes Seapoint can continue attracting bigger events, with the Irish Open as the target. Crowd movement and suitable difficulty are part of the planning.
“We want to make sure the feasibility to get the crowds around is there, and that the difficulty in the golf course is there when needed. We don’t want it to be there when it’s not needed,” he said.
The redesign includes four new holes, seven greens and numerous bunker changes. Waste areas, bunker features and natural marram grass will fill open spaces at the expansive site.
Bunkers that do not affect elite play will be removed, while difficult hazards will remain. The 10th hole will become the opening hole so players begin immediately on a links hole, though all 18 are technically links holes despite their flat appearance.
Harrington noted that creating a proper 18-hole loop requires serious engineering, and that Ferroni has kept him “on the straight and narrow” while turning some impossible ideas into workable ones.
Some greens and tees will be raised to create sea views, and several holes will play toward the sea. Harrington said members should end up with a beautiful links course they can be proud of, with strong vistas and an improved aesthetic feel.
Marty Carr of Genesis Links Limited called the project a major investment in Seapoint’s long-term future and in an exceptional piece of linksland.
He said the ambition is to make the course more distinctive, enjoyable and better equipped for the future while preserving the character members value today.
The scale of investment, he added, reflects confidence in Seapoint and County Louth as one of Ireland’s outstanding golf destinations. The finished course, he believes, will be something members, the local community and the wider region can be proud of.
