Anyone spent time golfing in Ireland?

[NicPac]

I'm in the process of planning a trip to Ireland this fall (buying tickets this weekend) with my girlfriend and she has given me the ok to bring my clubs That being said I can probably get away with 6 or so rounds. Looking for some advise on where I must go. Ballybunion, Old Head, and Tralee are on my list, but what else? There are so many amazing tracks out there, its hard to narrow them down. Or if anyone is a local and wants to play I would love to link up, Ill be playing as a single. In the fall of 2014 I made my way around Scotland with my Dad for a father son golf trip, I can't wait to play Ireland. Would also love advise on cigar friendly locations or even just places I should see. Ill be there about 3 weeks including 4 days in London.

Thanks fellas!

[Ken Gargett]

my sister has and is going back. loved it (and also played around scotland/england). will try and track her down and she if any suggestions.

i should say her enthusiasm far far exceeds her ability so she'd probably pick the less challenging courses.

[NicPac]

my sister has and is going back. loved it (and also played around scotland/england). will try and track her down and she if any suggestions.

i should say her enthusiasm far far exceeds her ability so she'd probably pick the less challenging courses.

That would be awesome. Any advise is much appreciated. Thanks Ken.

[Webbo]

I have been several times and if the weather is good it's the finest links golf you can imagine. Hardly anyone on the courses either midweek. I would definitely say on the east coast I would recommend The European which I thought was one of the best courses anywhere in the world. A hidden gem is Wicklow town golf club and hour south of Dublin, absolutely spectacular along the cliff tops. Try these two and with good weather you will experience golfing nirvana.

[IPORTER]

Royal County Down and Doonbeg are outstanding. Have you checked tee times? Be careful these courses are not 'pay and play'. Hope you have a great time!!

[DougB]

I played at a course called "Dooks" in the Ring of Kerry area and it was the most amazing golfing experience I have ever had. Many of the holes look out to the ocean and the condition of the course was incredible. The greens fees were reasonable, too...Give it a go if you can, you will be very happy that you did.

[Ryan]

I can't give you much advice on golf in Ireland I'm afraid. I haven't played in nearly 15 years.

I do know that if you go as a single to most golf clubs, they can pair you up with other players if that's what you'd like.

There are plenty of public courses where you'll be able to pay and play. It's worth checking out though before you come.

If you are in Dublin at all, do get in touch, we can meet up for a cigar.

Get in touch too if there's any information you might need regarding your trip here.

Andy

This site night help if you haven't seen it. It's for golfing tourists to Ireland, so they'll list courses where you don't need a membership.

http://www.golf.discoverireland.ie/Golf-Courses/Golf-Courses

[NicPac]

Thanks fellas! I am going to check into all your suggestions. I have been checking into tee times and seems like the weeks I will be there I shouldn't have a problem getting on. I will be reserving times in the next few weeks.

[NicPac]

I can't give you much advice on golf in Ireland I'm afraid. I haven't played in nearly 15 years.

I do know that if you go as a single to most golf clubs, they can pair you up with other players if that's what you'd like.

There are plenty of public courses where you'll be able to pay and play. It's worth checking out though before you come.

If you are in Dublin at all, do get in touch, we can meet up for a cigar.

Get in touch too if there's any information you might need regarding your trip here.

Andy

This site night help if you haven't seen it. It's for golfing tourists to Ireland, so they'll list courses where you don't need a membership.

http://www.golf.discoverireland.ie/Golf-Courses/Golf-Courses

Thanks Ryan. I would love to link up for a cigar and some local knowledge. We will defiantly be staying in Dublin, flying in and out of there. How many days would you recommend staying there for? I was thinking 3 or so?

[Ryan]

You'd see a lot of Dublin in 3 days. The Guinness brewery has a good tour, as has the Jameson Distillery. JJ Fox is worth a visit, directly above the shop is the new Whiskey museum. It's worth a look. The Natonal Gallery and National Museum are around the corner from there. Both free in and well worth a look. Closed on Mondays.

They are cliched but I always recommend a trip around the city in one of those double decker tour buses. They give a good feel for a city and you can hop on or off whenever you like. There's a stop directly opposite JJ Fox!

Get in touch again closer to the time and we'll organize a herf for when you're over. Or get in touch if you have any other questions.

[NicPac]

You'd see a lot of Dublin in 3 days. The Guinness brewery has a good tour, as has the Jameson Distillery. JJ Fox is worth a visit, directly above the shop is the new Whiskey museum. It's worth a look. The Natonal Gallery and National Museum are around the corner from there. Both free in and well worth a look. Closed on Mondays.

They are cliched but I always recommend a trip around the city in one of those double decker tour buses. They give a good feel for a city and you can hop on or off whenever you like. There's a stop directly opposite JJ Fox!

Get in touch again closer to the time and we'll organize a herf for when you're over. Or get in touch if you have any other questions.

Sounds great. Thanks for the tips! I am booking flights this week. I'll drop you a PM with the dates that I'll be in town. Thanks again!

[Ken Gargett]

I'm in the process of planning a trip to Ireland this fall (buying tickets this weekend) with my girlfriend and she has given me the ok to bring my clubs That being said I can probably get away with 6 or so rounds. Looking for some advise on where I must go. Ballybunion, Old Head, and Tralee are on my list, but what else? There are so many amazing tracks out there, its hard to narrow them down. Or if anyone is a local and wants to play I would love to link up, Ill be playing as a single. In the fall of 2014 I made my way around Scotland with my Dad for a father son golf trip, I can't wait to play Ireland. Would also love advise on cigar friendly locations or even just places I should see. Ill be there about 3 weeks including 4 days in London.

Thanks fellas!

sorry it took so long. this from my sister. not sure it is very helpful.

i also remembered i have a cousin who married an irishman who is a keen golfer. if you want more, i can chase him (i may have mentioned thierry henri's handball a few too many times last time we caught up so he might send you to some dodgy heap). let me know if you'd like more thoughts.

Last time we played at Ardglass Golf Club just outside of Belfast (on coastal cliffs and has the oldest clubhouse in the world apparently - it is a castle) and Old Heads Golf Links outside of Cork (on a 300ms high isthmus, we were apparently very lucky with the weather as bottom tip of Ireland, spectacular but quite expensive).

This time we are playing Fota Island Golf Resort (Cork), Portmarnock Link (Dublin) and Royal Portrush (Belfast).

[Blazer]

Not sure if you are going to the west coast at all, but Lahinch golf club is beautiful.

[canadianbeaver]

Mr Beaver and I are going on a company sponsored trip in June to Scotland and Ireland. The first thee days offer a golfing day for him (I hate golf, sorry), with a choice at St Andrews Links Jubilee or Gullane Course 2 or 3. He does not have to bring his clubs, but he will bring his shoes and gloves etc. That day I am going to the Scottish Malt Whiskey Society to see what trouble I can get into.

[jkdooley]

We will be in Dublin in June - I just booked a tee time at the Powerscourt West Course. Its about 30 minutes outside of Dublin. Will let you know our impressions when we get back.

[RDBM]

Ken, if your sister played Portrush, Portmarnock and FOTA Island, she didn't play any easy courses , these are some of the best courses in the golfing world.

Canadianbeaver, if your husband is coming to Scotland to play, Gullane No2 is the one to play out of the choices he has. St Andrews is lovely as a town, with all it's history and ambience but the Jubilee isn't a great course. I live 5 mins from Gullane and can highly recommend it not only as a great course, some rate it higher than No1 where they played the Scottish Open, but also for the views of the Firth of Forth and the Fife coastline.

No doubt wherever he chooses he will have a great time.

John