Ireland Trip ... looking for suggestions

[mshank]

Hey All - we will be going to Ireland in September for a wedding and I was hoping we could get suggestions on what to do and where to play.

 

We will be going mid September and will be there roughly 10 days. The wedding is at the Cliffs of Moher and they have rented a house in Bolag, Co. Galway for 4 days. We were thinking of arriving 4 days before and either flying into DUB or SNN and then we would spend the last two days elsewhere like Cork but we are open to suggestions. My goal is to have flights, hotels, golf booked in the next month or two.

 

Any knowledge/suggestions given will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Ryan3773]

In County Cork Old Head is worth the money to see once. He views, tee shots, everything was spectacular.

 

 

[Chanceman]

Cliffs of Moher is adjacent to Lahinch so number 1 goal is to get on to Lahinch. If coming from Dublin then you could play one or two of the courses there eg Portmarnock or The Island and then move west to Galway. Courses to consider would be Doonbeg, just south of Lahinch and Connemara which is west of Galway. For something less elite you could try Kilrush or Kilkee. Personally I liked Connemara a lot although it is a bit of a drive albeit through superb countyrside. Whatever you choose is sure to be fun.

[davep043]

The obvious first choice, if you're within a short drive of the Cliffs, is to play Lahinch, which also happens to be my favorite Ireland course. A little further south down the coast is Doonbeg. A few years ago I played further north into Co. Mayo and Donegal, including Ballyliffin, Enniscrone, and Carne. All great fun, great challenge, huge dunesland. This area has the additional advantage of being less costly than the famous courses in Co. Kerry like Ballybunion, Waterville, and Tralee, or Old Head further south.

 

The important thing to remember is that you can't make a bad choice, wherever you go will be great.

[knothead63]

It might be out of the way but Royal County Down is definitely worth the trip. Of all the courses I have ever played Royal County Down is my favorite. I also enjoyed Royal Portrush too. Lahinch as well as Ballybunion were fun as well.

[Carl Spackler3]

All good advice,I would offer this. Golf in Ireland ( for me) was best golf experience ever. Do the extra driving and play the absolute best, most sought after courses, especially if you won’t be back. Even if you drive for hours from north to south or over to Down, it will be worth it. Do not miss out on Lahinch.

It might be out of the way but Royal County Down is definitely worth the trip. Of all the courses I have ever played Royal County Down is my favorite. I also enjoyed Royal Portrush too. Lahinch as well as Ballybunion were fun as well.

[El Gringo]

If you decide to go as far south as Tralee you may want to consider going a bit further and play Dooks, Ceann Sibeal and a nine holer, Castlegregory.

 

If money is tight when near Dublin, try Corballis Links. Hell, even if money isn't tight...its a highly entertaining course full of "surprises"...in the same vein as Ballybunion's Cashen course.

 

Whatever you decide, try to mix it up the trip with big guns and smaller places. For sure, try Pitch And Putt. There are a load of golfers in Ireland who don't play long courses and stick with the P&P...which can often be devilish courses...but will aways be fun. One thing, don't bet against these guys...

 

Ciao

[alfriday]

When planning the trip, be sure to use a drive time calculator web site. Distances in Ireland are almost irrelevant in figuring travel time.

[mshank]

You guys are awesome!

 

I greatly appreciate the suggestions so far. All the information will be invaluable when planning the trip. Admittedly, I am a little timid to drive there as I haven’t driven a stick since high school - let alone using the other arm/leg to shift lol.

 

 

[puttnforthe8]

You guys are awesome!

 

I greatly appreciate the suggestions so far. All the information will be invaluable when planning the trip. Admittedly, I am a little timid to drive there as I haven’t driven a stick since high school - let alone using the other arm/leg to shift lol.

 

You can get an automatic...

[Ryan3773]

The roads are scary though. Like going to old head our RV type thing had to pull into the grass a few times to let oncoming traffic fit. Drive slow, be safe!

[golfman79]

Been to Ireland twice. Did the Southwest (Old Head, Tralee, Ballybunion, Dooks, Doonbeg, Lahinch) as well as Galway and the North (Sligo, Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, Ardglass, Ballyliffin). Worth it to get a driver/have somebody who is used to driving on that side of the road.

 

Fantastic experience no matter where you go. Enjoy, and pack for all kinds of weather!

[Roadking2003]

Hey All - we will be going to Ireland in September for a wedding and I was hoping we could get suggestions on what to do and where to play.

 

We will be going mid September and will be there roughly 10 days. The wedding is at the Cliffs of Moher and they have rented a house in Bolag, Co. Galway for 4 days. We were thinking of arriving 4 days before and either flying into DUB or SNN and then we would spend the last two days elsewhere like Cork but we are open to suggestions. My goal is to have flights, hotels, golf booked in the next month or two.

 

Any knowledge/suggestions given will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

The Cork area is wonderful and you should go to the little seaside town of Cobh. And then you MUST play Old Head.

[davep043]

You guys are awesome!

 

I greatly appreciate the suggestions so far. All the information will be invaluable when planning the trip. Admittedly, I am a little timid to drive there as I haven't driven a stick since high school - let alone using the other arm/leg to shift lol.

I drive a standard transmission every day at home, and never had a bit of problem with a standard in Ireland. You shift with your left hand, but the pedals are the same as in the US. If you're not really accustomed to driving a manual, though, I'd recommend that you hire an automatic, you don't need one more thing to distract you.

As someone else said, look at a route planner like

http://www.theaa.com...anner/index.jsp

to get realistic drive times. And be careful using a Garmin or other navigation aides, they tend to send you on some VERY wee roads to save a minute, roads with grass down the center, branches hitting both sides of the car, and occasional roadblocks caused by slow-moving sheep. Get a proper paper map, and look for the fat lines.

 

I'm different from some guys who have posted. I get enough driving time at home, I don't want to be driving all over the country when I'm on holiday. If you have two weeks, pick maybe 3 places to stay (the place in Co Galway and 2 more), and drive a bit each day for the golf, but come "home" every night. That might mean you miss out on some of the very best courses, but you'll be able to learn your way around your neighborhood, maybe become a semi-regular in your nearest pub. And a good (but not famous) links course will still be good, fun, and challenging, and different from what you have at home, even if your buddies at home won't be quite so impressed. One area you might look at is the area around Sligo to Enniscrone, for Enniscrone, Rosses Point, Strandhill, and, Carne.

[irishmpk67]

Port Rush and Port Stewart arre in the Northern tip of the island...both Amazing experiences and both very close to the Bushmills Inn which was great. Royal County Down on the way back to Dublin is a great Trifecta if you end up going north.

 

Was there in Sept of 2016 and had amazing weather.

 

Cheers!

I

[golfskisleep]

For a fun afternoon dodging sheep and playing to greens behind fences try Achill Island Golf Club - this is how I imagine golf started!

[DW6317]

Dooks is worth a try

[Animal Chin]

Dooks is worth a try

 

Absolutely. Great course that gets overlooked.

[jvincent]

If you can wait until the end of April I can give you the trip report from our Ireland excursion.

 

We're playing the following:

 

- Something day of arrival. Not sure what yet but we are flying into Cork.

- Old Head (twice)

- Tralee

- Dingle

- Ballybunion

- Lahinch

 

We might add some second rounds on the days where we aren't driving.

[puttnforthe8]

If you can wait until the end of April I can give you the trip report from our Ireland excursion.

 

We're playing the following:

 

- Something day of arrival. Not sure what yet but we are flying into Cork.

- Old Head (twice)

- Tralee

- Dingle

- Ballybunion

- Lahinch

 

We might add some second rounds on the days where we aren't driving.

 

Day of your arrival, play Fota Island!!

[jvincent]

If you can wait until the end of April I can give you the trip report from our Ireland excursion.

 

We're playing the following:

 

- Something day of arrival. Not sure what yet but we are flying into Cork.

- Old Head (twice)

- Tralee

- Dingle

- Ballybunion

- Lahinch

 

We might add some second rounds on the days where we aren't driving.

 

Day of your arrival, play Fota Island!!

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

[duffer987]

If you can wait until the end of April I can give you the trip report from our Ireland excursion.

 

We're playing the following:

 

- Something day of arrival. Not sure what yet but we are flying into Cork.

- Old Head (twice)

- Tralee

- Dingle

- Ballybunion

- Lahinch

 

We might add some second rounds on the days where we aren't driving.

 

Day of your arrival, play Fota Island!!

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

Are you in a position to swap out an Old Head for a Waterville ;)

That said, nice lineup! That's a heckuva way to kick off your golf season.

[FairwayFred]

Just got back from a week in Ireland. Bottom line is you will have a great trip no matter what you decide to do.

 

As others have said you are right next to Lahinch so don't miss that. My second favorite course in Ireland behind RCD. From there your not far from Ballybunion, Doonbeg and Tralee. You could go further south from there to Dooks and Waterville. Hogs Head is a brand new course down there too that I've not played but heard it's amazingly scenic. You could go 3h to Old Head which isn't my favorite course to play but is one of the most scenic amazing places to hit a golf ball around in the world. You could also go N about 3h to Enniscrone, Rosses Point, Donegal. Of course if you fly into Dublin you have fantastic golf options in The Island, Portmarnock, The European Club, Baltray, Laytown and Bettystown, Royal Dublin etc. RCD is only 2h N but all visitors times are booked for 2019.

 

Good luck and have fun whatever you decide to do!

[jvincent]

If you can wait until the end of April I can give you the trip report from our Ireland excursion.

 

We're playing the following:

 

- Something day of arrival. Not sure what yet but we are flying into Cork.

- Old Head (twice)

- Tralee

- Dingle

- Ballybunion

- Lahinch

 

We might add some second rounds on the days where we aren't driving.

 

Day of your arrival, play Fota Island!!

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

Are you in a position to swap out an Old Head for a Waterville ;)

That said, nice lineup! That's a heckuva way to kick off your golf season.

 

We're on a package at Old Head. We looked at Waterville but with the days we fly it would have meant not playing Lahinch.

 

Notwithstanding all the big name courses, I'm really looking forward to Dingle. It's the westernmost course in Europe. Right on the ocean. I'm expecting a gentle breeze. :)

[duffer987]

Gotcha, definitely don't want to miss out on Lahinch or Ballybunion IMHO. OH is a bonkers location for golf and if you've not been before you really will be amazed at the setting.

[jvincent]

When we were in the early planning stages last year we were discussing course options with some guys at the club who go to Ireland regularly.

 

To a man they said don't skip Old Head. The location does indeed look fantastic. Hopefully the wind isn't too crazy when we play it.

[puttnforthe8]

If you can wait until the end of April I can give you the trip report from our Ireland excursion.

 

We're playing the following:

 

- Something day of arrival. Not sure what yet but we are flying into Cork.

- Old Head (twice)

- Tralee

- Dingle

- Ballybunion

- Lahinch

 

We might add some second rounds on the days where we aren't driving.

 

Day of your arrival, play Fota Island!!

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

Are you in a position to swap out an Old Head for a Waterville ;)

That said, nice lineup! That's a heckuva way to kick off your golf season.

 

We're on a package at Old Head. We looked at Waterville but with the days we fly it would have meant not playing Lahinch.

 

Notwithstanding all the big name courses, I'm really looking forward to Dingle. It's the westernmost course in Europe. Right on the ocean. I'm expecting a gentle breeze. :)

 

Having played Ceann Sibeal dozens of times, it is surprising how calm it can be. The course is in between the ocean and the inlet...for some reason the wind gets broken by the location. Not saying there is no wind, but there are worse places.

 

If you get the opportunity Doyles and Out of the Blue are my fav places for eats. And the Pubs are outstanding...find one playing music and have a good ole time. If you walk into one and there is a dog sitting at the bar, he likes a half pint of Guinness...feel free to buy him a round.

[jvincent]

 

Having played Ceann Sibeal dozens of times, it is surprising how calm it can be. The course is in between the ocean and the inlet...for some reason the wind gets broken by the location. Not saying there is no wind, but there are worse places.

 

If you get the opportunity Doyles and Out of the Blue are my fav places for eats. And the Pubs are outstanding...find one playing music and have a good ole time. If you walk into one and there is a dog sitting at the bar, he likes a half pint of Guinness...feel free to buy him a round.

 

Interesting, thanks for the info and the recommendations. I'll look out for the dog.

[mshank]

Back from a magical day at Ballybunion today - weather was marvelous.

 

 

[CDM]

WOW conditions look excellent. Bucket list for sure.