Portrush, Rosapenna St. Patricks, Carne - Tips welcome!

[Hardrain]

I am headed to Ireland next week to play these three courses, plus maybe a couple more if we feel up to it and there are openings. I am traveling with my wife (who has recently been bitten by the golf bug) so it is a half golf half sightseeing trip.

 

No specific questions but I welcome any thoughts on things to do, see, eat, etc. at these courses and the surrounding areas. Any place where we should specifically get a caddy? Probably planning caddies for half the rounds.

[Hawkeye77]

We just went to Ireland. Didn’t play those courses. From what I’ve seen of Carne, and we did play courses with dunes south and along the coast from there, I’d sure take one there. We played Connemara, no need for caddies, but still a good hike so hope you and your wife have been putting in 18 hole rounds with a push cart or pull cart before setting off.  Lahinch and Tralee IMO caddies were helpful and plenty of elevation changes, etc. and happy to have someone carry the bags. If you are fairway finders off the tee and play straight ahead and/or aren’t going to spend 15 minutes looking for a ball you are nowhere near when you start looking and won’t find, lol (seen it) you can probably work your way around.  
 

Big surprise for us was at Lahinch, Tralee and Dooks the pace of play was glacial. The caddie at Tralee told us to plan on a five hour round and it was. Lahinch was maybe 5 minutes under 5 hours. Dooks was almost 5 and, of all things, an impatient American behind us who hit over us once and ran a ball into my wife’s feet because he couldn’t be bothered to wait for the fairway to clear two holes later. There wasn’t a third incident, lol. 
 

I loved the courses we played but vs. every course we played in Scotland including most of the “must plays” I was disappointed in the pace of play in our experience in Ireland.  Pace of play seemed more of a priority in Scotland among the courses and the caddies overall, but our experience in Ireland was limited.  The rangers (none at Dooks but sorely needed) would apologize and everyone was pleasant but there wasn’t much to do about it. We enjoyed the walking and the resting, lol, and the time to take in the views, but very difficult to get in any rhythm. 

Edited June 22, 2022 by Hawkeye77

[ajgoodal.704]

19 hours ago, Hardrain said:

I am headed to Ireland next week to play these three courses, plus maybe a couple more if we feel up to it and there are openings. I am traveling with my wife (who has recently been bitten by the golf bug) so it is a half golf half sightseeing trip.

 

No specific questions but I welcome any thoughts on things to do, see, eat, etc. at these courses and the surrounding areas. Any place where we should specifically get a caddy? Probably planning caddies for half the rounds.

I just got back from the west coast of Ireland last week and would highly recommend spending sometime in Sligo for sightseeing.  I had seen all the pictures of the different mountains, etc. online, but nothing can prepare you for just how beautiful everything is (especially when the sun shines).  If you do want to add an extra round between St. Pat's and Carne, Enniscrone was awesome.  The golf, ladies in the pro-shop, caddies and the after round seafood chowder / Guinness were all excellent.  Afterwards (weather permitting) take a 8 or 9 iron up to Downpatrick Head and see if you can land it on the sea stack.  That was one of many highlights from the week.   Most importantly enjoy the Craic.  I've been to Ireland twice now and no matter how many amazing things I see or great courses I play, I always go back to the people and just how much fun it is to cut up with the Irish.  Nothing beats it.  Here are a few pics to enjoy.  

 

Classiebawn Castle & Benbulben from Mullaghmore Head

 

Glencar Lake

 

Glencar Waterfall

 

Downpatrick Head (Dun Buiste)

[ajgoodal.704]

4 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

We just went to Ireland. Didn’t play those courses. From what I’ve seen of Carne, and we did play courses with dunes south and along the coast from there, I’d sure take one there. We played Connemara, no need for caddies, but still a good hike so hope you and your wife have been putting in 18 hole rounds with a push cart or pull cart before setting off.  Lahinch and Tralee IMO caddies were helpful and plenty of elevation changes, etc. and happy to have someone carry the bags. If you are fairway finders off the tee and play straight ahead and/or aren’t going to spend 15 minutes looking for a ball you are nowhere near when you start looking and won’t find, lol (seen it) you can probably work your way around.  
 

Big surprise for us was at Lahinch, Tralee and Dooks the pace of play was glacial. The caddie at Tralee told us to plan on a five hour round and it was. Lahinch was maybe 5 minutes under 5 hours. Dooks was almost 5 and, of all things, an impatient American behind us who hit over us once and ran a ball into my wife’s feet because he couldn’t be bothered to wait for the fairway to clear two holes later. There wasn’t a third incident, lol. 
 

I loved the courses we played but vs. every course we played in Scotland including most of the “must plays” I was disappointed in the pace of play in our experience in Ireland.  Pace of play seemed more of a priority in Scotland among the courses and the caddies overall, but our experience in Ireland was limited.  The rangers (none at Dooks but sorely needed) would apologize and everyone was pleasant but there wasn’t much to do about it. We enjoyed the walking and the resting, lol, and the time to take in the views, but very difficult to get in any rhythm. 

I'm surprised and not surprised by the pace of play at some courses right now.  I was amazed by the amount of golfers that were waiting for golf bags at Shannon the day we arrived (most were heading to Kerry).  The last time I was there it was me and one other guy, this time at least forty golfers.  The amount of golf travelers right now (2020, 2021 and 2022 bookings) is high.  With that said the four of us never exceeded 4 1/2 hours in the seven rounds we played, including Lahinch in 50mph winds.  The traffic control ranger at the 4th and 17th was sure to let us know we needed to be pressing the group in front of us and our caddies were good about finding balls and moving us along.  I had read a lot about 3 1/2 hour rounds prior to going, but unless you are playing with four guys who keep their ball dead center and have pro level short games, I just don't see how that's realistic.  Blind shots, marrum grass, high winds and courses you've never played do not add up to playing at a swift pace.  I play pretty quick at home, so it was an adjustment, but I got my rhythm by just chatting with my caddy, taking lots of pictures and remembering that I wasn't sitting in my office dealing with everyday BS.  

[Hardrain]

We might have to make a decision between another round at Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris) or Rosses point in Sligo. Any votes either way?

 

I would like to get Enniscrone in but we are going to try to play all 27 at Carne and don't think we will have time for a stop.

[puttnforthe8]

13 minutes ago, Hardrain said:

We might have to make a decision between another round at Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris) or Rosses point in Sligo. Any votes either way?

 

I would like to get Enniscrone in but we are going to try to play all 27 at Carne and don't think we will have time for a stop.

 

Sorry - a little confused - another round for the same day? or another day?  Sligo is 2hrs away from Rosa.   

 

If same day, I would just play another round there.  

 

Also - if you are going next week - it is light until 11:30; you will have plenty of time for EC.

[Hardrain]

Another day, play St. Pats one day, then wake up and play Old Tom Morris in the morning or head down to Sligo to play Rosses Point in the afternoon.

[puttnforthe8]

7 minutes ago, Hardrain said:

Another day, play St. Pats one day, then wake up and play Old Tom Morris in the morning or head down to Sligo to play Rosses Point in the afternoon.

 

Personally - I would go to Enniscrone so you can fit that in.  But that is me - it's one of my favorites (I used to jump on the train 1-2 times a month to play it).  

 

But if that doesn't suit - I would play Rosapenna again. Rosses is a good course, but not a must do/play.  

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, Hardrain said:

We might have to make a decision between another round at Rosapenna (Old Tom Morris) or Rosses point in Sligo. Any votes either way?

 

I would like to get Enniscrone in but we are going to try to play all 27 at Carne and don't think we will have time for a stop.

Pretty good drive from Rosapenna to Sligo, but if you want another good one that’s not as far a drive Narin & Portnoo would be a great option.

 

https://narinandportnoolinks.com/

[Hardrain]

Glad to hear a vote for Narin & Portnoo! I was considering that and looks like an awesome stop.

[hammergolf]

20 minutes ago, Hardrain said:

Glad to hear a vote for Narin & Portnoo! I was considering that and looks like an awesome stop.

An hour closer to Rosapenna as well. I’m going to Ireland the end of September and playing it as well as Carne, Enniscrone, Strandhill, Rosses Point, and Donegal. Next Ireland trip will be the North coast that you are going to.

[puttnforthe8]

3 hours ago, Hardrain said:

Glad to hear a vote for Narin & Portnoo! I was considering that and looks like an awesome stop.

 Yeah...good call by @hammergolf;  I said Enniscrone because of the desire to play it; without regard for distance.  I assumed you were going that way anyways to play Carne.

[puttnforthe8]

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

An hour closer to Rosapenna as well. I’m going to Ireland the end of September and playing it as well as Carne, Enniscrone, Strandhill, Rosses Point, and Donegal. Next Ireland trip will be the North coast that you are going to.

 

🤔 --- joins @hammergolf on Portrush

 

[Hardrain]

I am going right by Enniscrone to get from Sligo to Carne but the way our schedule is set up I will have to pass by Enniscrone.

 

However, after Carne, we are on the way to Galway. Doesn't look too far out of the way to circle back to Enniscrone on the way to Galway. Hmmm. We will have to play it be ear based on how tired of driving we are and how well we are playing!

[ajgoodal.704]

13 hours ago, Hardrain said:

I am going right by Enniscrone to get from Sligo to Carne but the way our schedule is set up I will have to pass by Enniscrone.

 

However, after Carne, we are on the way to Galway. Doesn't look too far out of the way to circle back to Enniscrone on the way to Galway. Hmmm. We will have to play it be ear based on how tired of driving we are and how well we are playing!

If you can squeeze it in on your way to Galway, you'll be happy you did.  Bring a good short game, inside 50 yards is a roller coaster.  

[Chanceman]

Driving always takes longer in Ireland. What looks a short hop say 50km/30 min will often develop into an hours trip.
Btw Donegal (Murvagh) is definitely worth a look heading south from Rosapenna.