Western Ireland - Possible Itinerary?

[mpm1960]

Thinking about traveling to Ireland to play some links courses, focusing on the courses in western Ireland ... so I'm looking for feedback and/or suggestions on the proposed trip outlined below. Here's a possible itinerary for the trip:

 

Friday – Depart US for Shannon, Ireland

 

Saturday – Arrive in Shannon, travel to Ennis (stay at an Ennis B&B), sightsee rest of the day (Cliffs of Moher?)

 

Sunday - Play golf at Doonbeg Golf Club (stay at an Ennis B&B)

 

Monday – Play golf at Lahinch Golf Club (stay at an Ennis B&B)

 

Tuesday – Depart Ennis, travel to and play golf at Connemara Golf Club, then travel on to Westport (stay at a Westport B&B)

 

Wednesday – Climb Croagh Patrick in the morning/early afternoon, then play 9 later in the day at Mulranny Golf Club (stay at a Westport B&B)

 

Thursday – Play golf at Enniscrone Golf Club (stay at a Westport B&B)

 

Friday – Play golf at Carne Golf Links (stay at a Westport B&B)

 

Saturday – Travel from Westport to Galway for a visit, then on to Ennis (stay at an Ennis B&B)

 

Sunday – Travel from Ennis to Shannon, depart for US

 

 

I look forward to any/all responses ... thanks in advance!

 

Mike

MPM1960

[puttnforthe8]

Good trip...have fun. Maybe consider Rosses Point.

[jimwgt26]

Sounds great. Read A Course Called Ireland by Tom Coyne before you go.

[duffer987]

That's a lot of fun golf you've got there
My only suggestion would be since you are so close - and if you've not played it before - do try and fit Ballybunion Old in. IMHO it is one of the finest courses you could hope to play. If it doesn't fit your sched, all the more reason to come back, but if you can you should do.

[hdr_ric]

That's a great trip. Enjoy.

 

I'd consider staying in Lahinch over Ennis. Its a pretty small town but I really liked it.

 

 

As for Ballybunion, there is a ferry you can take but it would still be a decent amount of travel and backtracking, especially since you are headed up to Carne/Enniscrone.

 

I like to do SW ... Shannon - Kinsale - Killarney - Shannon (Old Head, Waterville, Dooks, Dingle, Tralee, Ballybunion or whatever else you want to play) as one trip. Then do NW as a separate trip. Lahinch and Doonbeg can really fit into either as they are so close to Shannon.

 

Regardless, you will have fun. Jealous.

[slickster2]

Agree , stay in Lahinch or The Falls Hotel , Ennistymon(2miles away)-Lahinch is a great spot- Doonbeg is only just up the road (18 miles) you'd be doing unnecessary mileage going to Ennis - local B&B around Lahinch as well?

 

Drive through Burren when going up towards Connemara !

 

Enjoy!

[Trapperchamonix]

Played almost all of those. You're in for a treat.

Not sure if you are driving yourself or getting a driver, but give yourself plenty of time to get from one destination to another. The roads are not like the USA. But the drive from Westport to Carne is magical.

[t-bone]

Roses point as suggested above I would suggest. Carne wouldn't have near the reputation of Rosses as Rosses hosts one the most respected amateur events in the country exclusively. The west of Ireland is always held there so has built a great rep. I actually disagree with Ballybunion.. I think it's a let down personally. Too many holes along the road and fence staring at the houses and then the caravan site. It is nice when you turn back along water but I don't think it lives up to its reputation. As a course Tralee is prettier and just as tough and respected. Tralee is also in the middle of nowhere so you'd actually love the last few miles of drive out to it.

[gussie]

Thinking about traveling to Ireland to play some links courses, focusing on the courses in western Ireland ... so I'm looking for feedback and/or suggestions on the proposed trip outlined below. Here's a possible itinerary for the trip:

 

Friday – Depart US for Shannon, Ireland

 

Saturday – Arrive in Shannon, travel to Ennis (stay at an Ennis B&B), sightsee rest of the day (Cliffs of Moher?)

 

Sunday - Play golf at Doonbeg Golf Club (stay at an Ennis B&B)

 

Monday – Play golf at Lahinch Golf Club (stay at an Ennis B&B)

 

Tuesday – Depart Ennis, travel to and play golf at Connemara Golf Club, then travel on to Westport (stay at a Westport B&B)

 

Wednesday – Climb Croagh Patrick in the morning/early afternoon, then play 9 later in the day at Mulranny Golf Club (stay at a Westport B&B)

 

Thursday – Play golf at Enniscrone Golf Club (stay at a Westport B&B)

 

Friday – Play golf at Carne Golf Links (stay at a Westport B&B)

 

Saturday – Travel from Westport to Galway for a visit, then on to Ennis (stay at an Ennis B&B)

 

Sunday – Travel from Ennis to Shannon, depart for US

 

 

I look forward to any/all responses ... thanks in advance!

 

Mike

MPM1960

[gussie]

I live in the south west region

Love your itinerary but I would make couple of changes

1 stay in lahinch or doonbeg from Saturday till Tuesday its pointless driving up and down to Ennis.

Great options for accommodation in both areas

Personally I'd base myself in Spanish point Miltown malbay area

Great beaches even better pubs

Spanish point has a fab 9 hole links course with fab ocean views

You have to travel by wild Atlantic way on route to Connemara