THE SHAMROCK ADVENTURE (6 Nights)
Southwest Ireland
Day 1 — Arrive in Shannon where you will have your first views of this lush, green country. Take the rest of the day to relax and unwind in this peaceful setting.
Day 2 — Today test your skills on the famous seaside course — Lahinch GC. Lahinch is a fine natural and traditional links, laid out with full use of great sandhills and springy turf.
Day 3 — This morning depart for Killarney, one of the most beautiful areas of Ireland. This afternoon play either Mahoney’s Point or Killeen — the two championship courses in Killarney. Your game is enhanced by the vistas all around.
Day 4 — A short drive takes you to Ballybunion GC where you will tackle your next Irish course. Definitely a challenging course you’ll not soon forget!
Day 5 — An early departure for one of the scenic delights of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry — wind along the narrow roads with one breathtaking scene after another. About halfway along you will play on the famous Waterville GC, almost every hole a feature hole! This afternoon complete your ring around Kerry, arriving back “home” to relax and relive your day’s excitement.
Day 6 — Today play on the newer, but very challenging course of Tralee GC. Created by Arnold Palmer and built on land overlooking the famed Barna Strand, where the movie ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ was filmed. Avery dramatic links course.
Day 7 — Depart this golfer’s heaven!
DUBLIN TOWN
(3 Nights)
Day 1 — Arrive in the capital of Ireland—Dublin, where you will have a chance to see the historic and world-famous O’Connell Street, Trinity College, and a host of other places of interest.
Day 2 — Golf is at Portmarnock GC, one of the world’s supreme courses. Always intriguing, occasionally exasperating, it’s a favorite with all golfers.
Day 3 — Another round on an Irish Course — play Royal Dublin GC, a formidable challenge. Here the wind changes the entire personality of the course from one day to the next.
Day 4 — Time to depart!
CORK CITY
(2 Nights)
Day 1 — Arrive in the city of Cork, on the south coast of Ireland. Here you have Blarney Castle and it’s infamous “Blarney Stone”, delightful fishing towns and much more to discover. Golfers and non golfers will find plenty to do!
Day 2 — Golfers will delight at one of the newer offerings to the Irish golf world – Old Head GL. This spectacular course is near the harbor town of Kinsale, and sits on a promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Here you will find a view of unrivaled beauty – not to mention winds that will provide fresh challenges daily!
Day 3 — Time to continue on to…
CONNEMARA COAST
(3 Nights)
Day 1 — Arrive in Galway. Take time to wander around the shops selling antiques and other interesting items. You can visit the Galway Crystal Factory and see how crystal is made or choose an item to have made for you. If really bold you can make your own piece!
Day 2 — A chance to play the Galway GC, a fine example of the design skills of Alister MacKenzie. The course is inland by nature but some of the fairways run close to the ocean, making some interesting golfing problems!
Day 3 — Head westward to the stunning countryside of Connemara. This rugged terrain makes a stark contrast to the gentler countryside you will have seen. Play one of the great links courses — Connemara GC .So vast and rugged you will feel a little insignificant! This long course is on a dramatic stretch of the Atlantic coastline, scoring will not be easy!
Day 4 — Depart the Connemara area!
Ireland has many excellent courses. If your “must play” course is not shown we can add or substitute.
NORTHERN IRELAND, It seems to have happened Overnight
Long neglected Northern Ireland is a marvelous, natural golfing destination! Our NORTHERN BEAUTIES highlights the famous championship courses including Royal Portrush GC and Royal County Down — the only Irish course to have hosted the British Open. However, there are challenging courses to be found in all corners. So it’s time to leave the hustle and bustle and enjoy the unrushed golf, hospitality and friendliness of the Northern Irish.
NORTHERN BEAUTIES
(5 Nights)
Day 1 — Arrive in Northern Ireland and make the scenic drive to the shore of Dundrum Bay and the seaside town of Newcastle. Free time to explore this historic area.
Day 2 — This morning you play a course with few peers, the challenging Royal County Down GC. This championship, seaside course is one of the most admired in the world for its beauty, a test you will enjoy.
Day 3 — Depart this beauty spot and continue north. You may want to explore the Downpatrick area, home of the Irish patron saint, St. Patrick. The coast road affords truly spectacular scenery.
Day 4 — Your next venue, Royal Portrush GC, dates back over one hundred years and is the first Irish club to host the British Open. This course is characterized by narrow, curving fairways, small streams and a relative absence of sand-traps — definitely a challenge!
In your free time visit the Bushmills Distillery to sample the famed whiskey! Also nearby is Dunluce Castle and the Giant’s Causeway, an odd formation of rocky pillars rising out of the sea.
Day 5 — Golf this morning on Portstewart GC recently redesigned. Seven new holes were opened in the huge sandhills behind the first green, adding a new dimension to the course. It is now, arguably, vying with Royal County Down as the finest course in Northern Ireland. See if you agree!
Day 6 — Time to depart for your next adventure!
BELFAST TOWN
You will be delighted with this beautiful city. The center is for walking with many Victorian and Edwardian buildings, the City Hall grandly dominates the main shopping area. You can base yourself here for a couple days to enjoy sightseeing, shopping and you may even want to learn how to make your own gin!
