Ireland

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Outstanding links headline the myriad attractions on and off the course in the Emerald Isle.

There are, as usual, many superb destinations within Golf Escapes this year. Every one has its own particular attractions and reasons to visit.

But when you consider the merits of Ireland, you have to wonder why we should go any further than the Emerald Isle for our golf breaks. It has everything. Of course, there is a significant proviso; if you want guaranteed sun on your back, then the Algarve, Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Turkey et al are much stronger options.

It’s not that it never shines in Ireland – in fact, August sees some regularly excellent weather – but simply that it isn’t guaranteed as it is elsewhere in this golf travel guide. For many of us, that doesn’t matter. It’s not that we like playing in wind or rain, just that we accept it is part and parcel of playing golf – especially on British and Irish links.

Indeed, traditionalists would say a sharp shower and a steady wind are essential parts of the links experience. Ireland has plenty of fine inland courses – especially around Dublin – but it is its collection of linkswhich is every bit as good as any on the planet. All four corners of the country are blessed with outstanding seaside courses.

In the north, Open host Royal Portrush and Portstewart decorate the Antrim coast and with work started nearby on a stunning new course, Bushmills Dunes, this area will suddenly have a lot of seriously top-quality venues. Moving westward you find a highly under-rated area – starting with Rosapenna and continuing round to Donegal, County Sligo, Enniscrone and the bewildering brilliance of Carne. It just might be the area in GB&I which has the largest number of truly great courses but which is relatively under-hyped.

Travelling down the west coast we encounter modern and ancient excellence. In Lahinch there is a course oozing history and character; in parts quirky, in others seriously exacting. And just a few miles away is Doonbeg, a magnificent new links which carries Greg Norman’s name but for which he admits he deserves little credit; nature shaped this little piece of heaven in the dunes.

Heading further south – by now we are at 7 o’clock on an imaginary clockface of Ireland – brings us to the legendary Ballybunion. Tom Watson absolutely loves it and it is said you haven’t played links golf until you have set foot on this hallowed seaside turf.

The trio of inland courses at Killarney as well as cultured Adare Manor offer a nice contrast to the diet of links but ultimately we will be lured back to the ocean for Arnold Palmer’s clifftop thrills at Tralee and the modern links at Waterville, with Tom Fazio’s revitalisation of this dormant giant done with typical aplomb. Another ‘must play’ to add to your list.

From there we can head south and east towards Cork for Old Head, a mesmeric course laid out on a peninsula jutting into the ocean. There are many stunning holes here, the best being the ones which have that rare ability to combine aesthetic beauty with golfing challenge. The 2nd, 4th, 7th, and the stretch from the 15th – the fine short 16th can be seen in our main image – do this magnificently.

Heading north we find The European, a life’s dream realised for journalist turned designer Pat Ruddy. A more robust links you will not find the world over. An hour’s drive north brings us to Dublin, where we find historic Portmarnock and its under-rated neighbouring hotel course joined in the northern area of the city by The Island. Inland, Carton House, The K Club and Druid’s Glen offer resortgolf of a rare quality – good enough, indeed, to have hosted a Ryder Cup.

The simple links of County Louth at Baltray breaks up our journey to GB&I’s finest course, Royal County Down. With breathtaking scenery and unforgettable holes, it would be the star of any golf break in the world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.discoverireland.com/golf

 

Irish Ferries: Drivers Welcome

Make an exceptional drive with Irish Ferries. Bring your own car and pay nothing for unlimited luggage, then you’re free to drive and play where you like around your favourite courses in Ireland. 

Golf Ireland

Six majors captured by Irish players in just a few years is more than just coincidence. Find out exactly what it is by playing the courses where these champions shaped their games. World-beating links, exceptional parkland courses.

It’s all here. And when the round ends, the fun is only beginning. This is Ireland, after all..

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