Ireland Trip

Excellent itinerary! I've played them all and you will not be disappointed. The drive from Dublin to Ballyliffin is a long one; but if you can get on Royal Belfast it is a nice park-land course on the shores of Belfast Lough. Another option is Belvoir Golf Club. It is centrally located in Belfast, another park-land course that hosted the Irish PGA Championship a few times. Enjoy yourself; May is a good month to be there, weather is generally decent.

I guess it depends on what route you are taking and when you want to play.

You could just play Portmarnock when you get off the plane....The Island is a great choice too....Or you go up and play Baltray outside of Drogheda. Both great courses.

If you are heading to the N4 and then up or don't mind driving a bit outside of Dublin a bit...you can go to Carton House...which I highly recommend...Play the Monty course for inland links and a tough test of golf or the O'Meara course for just a plain great golf course.

Good course selection!

Another good track which you could get to is Concra Wood situated in Castleblayney, very good course with excellent fast greens.
The Faldo course at Lough Erne is another although this might just be out of your route, is class (played it last weekend) really good course again.

Hope you enjoy your trip. good golfing!

Second the Island. Maybe County Louth, north of Dublin on the coast and a links course as many of the others you're playing.

Thanks for all the great information. We have looked at websites for Concra Wood and Lough Erne both look excellent. Will any of the courses above let non-members play on a Saturday? We are stuck a little by not having an exact timetable the first day so it will be hard to make a tee time. I really appreciate all the help.

where are you flying in from when you land in Dublin at 7am ??? - it really is a time consuming drive from Dublin to Ballyliffin !!!

keeping with your links itinerary (all links except Ardglass) I would suggest


1.) North West Golf Club http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/productdetails.asp?id=1095

or

2.) Portrush Valley Course http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/productdetails.asp?id=295


if you did go out of your way to play the Portrush Valley g.c. on your drive up to Ballyliffin you would need to take a ferry - http://www.loughfoyleferry.com/


IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TRIP TO IRELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND ? another option would be to do some sightseeing along the route to Ballyliffin and Donegal

another option like some other posters have mentioned is to play a course in Dublin and then make your drive north

a course that is close to the airport and never seemed all that busy to me (probably could show up without advance arrangements) is

Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links http://www.top100golfcourses.co.uk/htmlsite/productdetails.asp?id=118

this course and Royal County Down tied for being the most firm and fast of any links I have played in my 4 trips to Ireland

I'm Irish.Play the K club, top class. Druids Glen, the heritage, All some of the best you will play. Ring and book in advance for a tee time, also check out this website for great deals, www.openfairways.ie or try teetimes.ie In the summer time its hard to get out on a Saturday without booking but midweek in generally no problem. Don't get ripped off this summer, you can haggle for green fee rates in Ireland at the moment. Most courses will reduce the fees for a four ball. Best of luck any more questions just ask.

Hi t1up,

Both Concra Wood and Lough Erne will let you out on Saturdays. They have member times on Saturdays but also cater for non members.

I appreciate all of your responses. Concra Wood looks like a winner. It is close to our originally planned route and looks like a great place to play. We are flying from Omaha, NE to Newark, NJ then to Dublin. The flight from Newark leaves at night and gets into Dublin at 7:00 AM. We are really looking forward to golf and sightseeing. Two of our foursome were in the SW of Ireland a couple of years ago to play and they loved it. This is the first time for any of us to be in the north but we have heard great things about the people and the golf so we are counting down the days.

Thanks Again!

Hope u guys have a great time which I have no doubt you will. Over here in the North you will be treated to great food, golf and the craic! ! Just go easy on the black stuff (Guinness) and the golf shouldn't suffer too much!!!

Enjoy!

[quote name='puttnforthe8' date='15 March 2010 - 06:12 PM' timestamp='1268676729' post='2317352']
I guess it depends on what route you are taking and when you want to play.

You could just play Portmarnock when you get off the plane....The Island is a great choice too....Or you go up and play Baltray outside of Drogheda. Both great courses.

If you are heading to the N4 and then up or don't mind driving a bit outside of Dublin a bit...you can go to Carton House...which I highly recommend...Play the Monty course for [b]inland links[/b] and a tough test of golf or the O'Meara course for just a plain great golf course.
[/quote]


An inland links???? Sorry man but there is no such thing. Highly recommend RCD, great track. Also I know a man who reviews courses in GB&I for golf monthly, and he reckons Concra Wood is fantastic. I have never had the chance to play there myself, yet, but I would go on his word. Have a ball, will be hard pushed to get better golf anywhere else.

J