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Home , 2019 Open Championship, Adare Manor, Ballinlough Castle, Ballybunion Golf Club, Ballyliffin Golf Club, Cabra Castle

2018 — Championship Courses — Championship Parkland Golf Courses — Hidden Gems Around The Island — Where To Play - Where To Stay — Essential Travel Information

Welcome • Griffin T.D. A message from the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport

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elcome to the ‘ make any golfer want to return. Golf Guide 2018’ that has We also hope you will join us for the been specially designed 2018 Dubai Duty Free from the W to provide you with all 4-8th July in , County the information you need , a spectacular setting and home to to plan your golf visit two of Ireland’s best links courses, where in Ireland - world-renowned for its high the Glashedy course will take centre stage. quality and great choice of golf courses. I hope that this ‘Ireland Golf Guide Spread throughout every part of Ireland 2018’ will enable you to choose the golfing are more than 400 courses lying within our holiday in Ireland that is just right for you scenic landscape. From championship links and your companions. courses, to parkland courses and numerous Enjoy your visit to Ireland, our hidden gems, there’s a course to please landscape, our heritage, our food and our everyone! people- but most of all- enjoy our golf. Our passion for golf, combined with our renowned tradition of hospitality, makes us want to share our courses and our companionship with visitors and so we extend a ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ or ‘One Hundred Thousand Welcomes’ to golfers from all over the world. It is of course, the people that really make Ireland stand out amongst other golf destinations - the Brendan Griffin T.D. friendly welcome and warm hospitality will Minister of State for Tourism and Sport

The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 1 Magnificent linkscourses of Ireland

ROSAPENNA GOLF CLUB

2 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 3 Magnificent parkland courses of Ireland

WOODENBRIDGE GOLF CLUB

4 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 5 For special offers go to www.ireland.com/golf

CONTENTS HEAD, CO. DONEGAL 2018 CONTENTS Ireland Golf Guide

CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE

Welcome 1 Irish Cottages 35 Irish Horse Racing 94 Front cover images: Copyright: No part of A message from the Minister for State at the Recently revived thatched cottages There is no better way to see and touch the Waterville (main), this magazine may be Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are becoming increasingly popular real Ireland than spending a day at the races L-R: Macreddin, The used or reproduced Using the Guide 8 options as holiday homes European, O’Meara, without written How to use your Official Irish Crystal 36 , permission of Fáilte Golf Guide When it comes to marking a special Portmarnock Walton Media. If occasion, nothing beats Irish crystal Not To Be Forgotten 98 such permission is Useful Info 13 Published by: granted, the source Golf travel advice The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open takes DUBLIN REGION place at this year, as Walton Media must be acknowledged Festival Times 14 looks to defend his title E7 Calmount Office at time and place of use. Cultural events to enjoy in Ireland in 2018 , Ballymount, Encounters of the Great Kind 38 Golf on the Wild Atlantic Way 102 Dublin 12. Disclaimer: The Irish Theatre 18 Many of the modern game’s greatest A sensational journey of hidden Ireland is the home of many world Tel: 01 419 9604 publisher does not international golfers have enjoyed golf on the beaches and epic bays, and some of the accept responsibility renowned playwrights and has a superb shores of Ireland. By David Gorman world’s highest rated golf courses rich history of literary genius Contributors: for, nor necessarily agree A Rich History 42 Wild Atlantic Way Experiences Brian Keogh, with any of the views Tours 20 Ireland is one of the nations with the most and Attractions 108 David Gorman expressed, statements Where to try out whiskey in Ireland golf courses per capita in the world, and Cultural activities to do when or claims made in any Irish Retail 22 that all began in the nineteenth century, on the Wild Atlantic Way Design: articles, news items, or Tony Monaghan advertisements published Ireland has a complete spectrum when many of the world’s greatest The Great North West 146 of stores from which to shop courses were created. By David Gorman in or with this magazine. No trip to Ireland would be complete Photography: Irish Food 25 Golf in Dublin 46 without a visit to the North West, Getty Images, Inpho From Irish stew to oysters, cuisine to savour Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock with its warm hospitality, stunning Finding Us 26 to the capital each year to stay and landscapes and effortless charm Publisher: Fáilte Ireland offices across the country play ’s capital city Walton Media Irish Cottage Industry 28 Dublin Experiences and Attractions 52 Traditions that produce authentic Cultural activities to do when in Dublin Printers: wool still thrive today Ireland - Land of Champions 150 Walsh Colour Print IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST Find out more about some of Irish Traditional Music 30 the courses that made our major Ireland has a healthy offering of folk music Golf in Ireland’s Ancient East 62 champions, including Rory McIlroy and dance to get your pulses racing With 5,000 years of history in lush green Northern Ireland Experiences Irish Pubs 32 landscapes, this region includes some of and Attractions 156 Irish pubs are well known for the hearty the best places to play golf in Ireland Cultural activities to do when welcome that is given to all visitors Ireland’s Ancient East Experiences in Northern Ireland and Attractions 68 Cultural activities to do when in Ireland’s Ancient East

Counties in this section: Clare, , Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, , Mayo, Sligo

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Counties in this section: Dublin 123 4 5 678 9 : orld, the Wild Atlantic Counties in this section: Armagh, Down, Antrim, Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh

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Counties in this section: C¥¦§¨ w v e, , Laois, Longf d, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Way is a 2,500 kilometre, hair-raising route that passes

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Offaly, Rosc  , Wat d, Westmeath, Wexf d, Wicklow

From world-class links courses to fantastic parklands, V WX Y Z o major champions and major golf courses, Northern Ireland through some of the greatest courses ever created

Dublin is the perfect base with its sightseeing and nightlife F om megalithic tombs to medieval is a destination at the heart of the game’s past, present and future

mixed with a quality and easily accessible golf offering. monaste ¡ ¢£¤ , Ireland’s Ancient East is and one that every golfer should experience. Northern a treasure trove of history as well as a golfing paradise. Ireland

arpeted by lush courses on the land. landscapes and Many courses in Ireland’s C idyllic towns, Ancient East are easily Ireland’s Ancient accessible from Dublin sensational coast of Ireland on a 2,500 East covers 17 counties from airport, and a good place to journey of soaring kilometre route that has or a small country, golf courses to be found Monaghan in the north to Cork start is in Co Wicklow, with cliffs and buzzing been described by Lonely A Northern Ireland anywhere in the world n Dublin’s Fair City, more and more to play golf in the south. Explore 5,000 years several courses within the towns and cities, Planet as “untamed and punches far above and many of the game’s where the girls are on a selection of over 30 of history, with some of the limits of the . of hidden beaches and epic utterly divine”. F its weight on greatest players have so pretty,” goes the clubs, where four of best places to play golf on this Take, for example, 2016 bays. Driving along the Wild It is also home to the global golf stage, having trodden their hallowed I famous Dublin folk Ireland’s 18 wonderful island as well. venue, Dun Atlantic Way is a once-in-a- many of the world’s produced three champions fairways down the song ‘Molly Malone’, players, 12 Walker Golf in this region is dominated Laoghaire Golf Club. Formerly lifetime experience. best links courses from with six Major titles between years. and more than just attractive Cup stars and one by pristine parklands, but it also located in the seaside town of From the wind-whipped 2018 Irish Open venue them in the last decade – Rory While the land of the

includes some of the best links Dun Laoghaire, it moved to the 62 Page females, Dublin has a number of Open champion 46 Page tip of to the Ballyliffin on the north McIlroy, Graeme McDowell Giant’s Causeway Page 102 Page

pretty and challenging courses in learned to play the safe haven of coast to the beautiful 150 Page and . has been something the city. game. Harbour, wrap yourself in Ballybunion in County Its success is no coincidence, of a slumbering giant Dublin is Ireland’s capital city, Links courses may the wilderness of the west Kerry. however. Underpinning as a golf destination in and visitors flock here in their be more associated with that are some of the finest comparison with its thousands every year to see the the West of Ireland and sights, but visitors are coming the Wild Atlantic Way, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Wild Atlantic Way Way Atlantic Wild The Dublin Region Dublin Region The Ireland’s Ancient East Ancient East Ireland’s

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46 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 64 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 108 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 152 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 153

6 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 7 USING THE GUIDE APPROVED GOLF CLUBS Welcome • Using the guide Whenever you see this symbol these golf clubs have been assessed to Failte Ireland’s Ireland is a country full of friends you haven’t met yet golf standards. For more information visit our website: and memories just waiting to be made, and this guide is www.ireland.com/golf your key to unlocking the holiday of a lifetime ARKLOW About the guide , clubs, buggies and Dublin The 2018 Ireland Golf Guide is designed to carts Dublin is the vibrant capital city of Ireland bursting provide all you need to know about playing golf Because of the unique environmental with a variety of surprising experiences where city and travelling around the beautiful Emerald Isle. character and history of many of Ireland’s living thrives side by side with the natural outdoors We hope that it’s user friendly, and that it helps golf clubs, the experience might be a little you discover the many ways in which you can get different to what you’re used to. It is not Ireland’s Ancient East the most out of your trip to Ireland. always possible to use a buggy, but if you speak with the club about your special Enjoy some of the world’s best golf courses in Golf clubs and courses needs you’ll find them to be always Ireland’s Ancient East – from breath-taking links and championship parklands to magnificent golfing resorts Ireland has an embarrassment of riches when friendly and accommodating. Caddies it comes to golf courses. The island might be are almost always available, but should small, but it is jam packed with many of the most be booked in advance, and many courses Wild Atlantic Way illustrious, historic and talked-about courses, these days now offer club hire also. DOONBEG The magnificent links courses along the Wild Atlantic including one third of the world’s links. With over Way exploit the spectacular coastal scenery and 400 courses to choose from, deciding where to Dress code, soft spikes and beaches to the full and provide some of the most play is never easy – but it is always fun. handicaps challenging and exhilarating golf in the world Golfing in Ireland is always a relaxed, Green fees friendly affair – but clubs do like to keep Northern Ireland Special golf passes, early birds, group discounts – their traditions alive. Jeans and sneakers Home to Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Darren there are many ways to get a bargain at Irish golf are best avoided, while if you dress smart Clarke – and some of the world’s best golf courses courses. Contacting the club, or speaking with casual you’ll be perfectly attired for most your tour operator, is always a good idea, but we’d tastes. Occasionally, some clubs will like to be the first to dispel the myth about golf in require a jacket and tie for the dining The facility icons listed for hotels and 18 Every effort has been made to make this guide Ireland being expensive – it’s not. For the calibre of room. Soft spikes are advised, as some golf clubs have not been independently as comprehensive as possible. If we have the courses, the service and welcome you’ll receive, clubs will not allow traditional spikes any verified by the Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide. The icons overlooked any detail or club in any of the seven once you play here we think you’ll agree: golfing in longer. certificates should be shown are based on information supplied directly by regions, please contact our office for inclusion in TRAMORE the venues themselves. Errors and omissions excepted. the 2019 guide. Walton Media Tel: 01 419 9604. Ireland is great value and a priceless experience. brought where possible.

Northern Ireland

8 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 9 Ballyliffin Golf Club,

Golf

18 HOLE COURSES 9 HOLE COURSES DONEGAL IS A all over the County from / Golf Club Golf Club Golf Club GOLFER’S PARADISE. Ballyliffin to . Stranorlar, Co. Donegal Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Buncrana, Co. Donegal The challenging terrain Tel: +353 (0)74 913 1093 Tel: +353 (0)74 912 1150 Tel: +353 (0)74 936 2279 In 2018 the Ballyliffin Golf makes playing golf in www.ballybofeyandstranorlargolfclub.ie www.letterkennygolfclub.com www.buncranagolfclub.com Course in Donegal is host to Donegal memorable. the Irish Open Not only is the golf great, Ballyliffin Golf Club Narin / Portnoo Golf Club Golf Club And There Is A Good Reason but this part of northwest Glashedy, Inishowen, Co. Donegal Portnoo, Co. Donegal , Co. Donegal Why……. Ireland has the best scenery Tel: +353 (0)74 937 6119 Tel: +353 (0)74 954 5107 Tel: +353 (0)74 954 3296 to go with its greenery. -off at one of the www.ballyliffingolfclub.com www.narinportnoogolfclub.ie www.cruitislandgolfclub.com numerous Championship www.govisitdonegal.com Links and Parkland Courses Bundoran Golf Club Golf Club North West Golf Club Bundoran, Co. Donegal , Co. Donegal Buncrana, Co. Donegal Tel: +353 (0)71 984 1302 Tel: +353 (0)74 916 5416 Tel: +353 (0)74 936 1715 www.bundorangolfclub.com www.falcarraghgolfclub.ie www.northwestgolfclub.com Donegal Golf Club Portsalon Golf Club Golf Club Murvagh, Co. Donegal Fanad, Co. Donegal , Co. Donegal Ballyliffin Golf Club, Inishowen Tel: +353 (0)74 973 4054 Tel: +353 (0)74 915 9459 Tel: +353 (0)74 953 1140 www.donegalgolfclub.ie www.portsalongolfclub.com www.gweedoregolfclub.com Golf Club Rosapenna Golf Club Otway Golf Club Five Finger Strand Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal , Co. Donegal , Co. Donegal Tel: +353 (0)74 913 6335 Tel: +353 (0)74 915 5000 Tel: +353 (0)74 915 8319 www.dunfanaghygolfclub.com www.rosapenna.ie www.rathmullan.net/otway-golf-club Greencastle Golf Club Redcastle Golf Club Inishowen, Co. Donegal Inishowen, Co. Donegal Tel: +353 (0)74 938 1013 Tel: +353 (0)74 338 5555 www.greencastlegolfclub.com www.redcastlehotel.com Glenveagh National Park Golfing in Murvagh

FIGA.indd 1 05/01/2018 14:22 FIGA.indd 2 05/01/2018 14:22 Useful Info • Making the most of your break

Irish Climate Ireland generally has a temperate climate and tends not to suffer extremes of heat or cold. The average annual temperature is about 9-10 °C. Drops in temperature below freezing occur infrequently during winter and snow is rare. January and February are the coldest, with the average around 7°C. In summer, daytimes are ADVERT a comfortable 15° to 20°C. There are about 18 hours of daylight daily during July and August. However, the Irish weather is certainly going to offer the visitor rain at some point, with wet weather common throughout the year. Pack accordingly!

Dublin’s Airline operators the Greater Dublin Area: – the Luas Ireland is well served by a number of the major Lines (www.luas.ie) and DART Lines international carriers, many of which offer non- (www.irishrail.ie). Both of these offer tourists stop connections from major gateways in the a reliable and inexpensive method of seeing US and Europe. Contact details for most of the the capital city. airlines are readily available on the website of Car Hire Companies: Tipping in Ireland Most of the major international car your destination airport in Ireland. Ireland does not have as strong a tipping hire companies, as well as a number of indigenous Irish car hire companies, Ireland by car culture as exists in other countries. However, have desks conveniently located at all Travelling by car in Ireland is a great way to locals and visitors tend to tip for restaurants the major airports as well as at ferry see the country at your own pace and time. and taxi services. A rough general rule is terminals and in the city centres. Car hire Some tips when driving in Ireland: around 10% and all tips are at your own can be pre-booked prior to travel. The • Always on the left. personal discretion, based on the quality of Car Hire Council (www.carrentalcouncil. service delivered. In restaurants with table ie) offers a full list of their member • All speed limits and distances are designated service, if you have received exceptional companies, all with contact details and in kilometers. The maximum speed on links directly to an individual car hire motorways is 120 km/h. In urban areas, speed service you can tip slightly higher. company’s website and reservations. is restricted to between 30 and 50 km/h. • Tourists require a driving licence issued by Currency/Credit cards Airports in Ireland their country of origin. In common with most of the European The three main airports serving the • Drink driving is a very serious offence in Ireland Continent, the uses the Republic of Ireland are: and the best advice is not to drink and drive. . The Euro has denominations of €500, • Dublin Airport: 00 353 (0)1 814 1111 • The wearing of seat belts is compulsory in €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 in paper notes. www.dublinairport.com front and rear seats for all passengers. Coinage consists of €1 and €2 coins, plus • Cork Airport: 00 353 (0)21 431 3131 smaller denominations of 50c, 20c, 10c and www.corkairport.com 5c. (Note: the “c” refers to cent). • Shannon Airport: 00 353 (0)61 712000 Ireland by coach www.shannonairport.ie The national bus company, Bus Eireann, Banking hours are generally 10.00am to operates a wide variety of services available 4.30pm Monday through Friday, with Ireland is also served by the following some banks open on Saturday. ATM (cash) regional airports: to tourists. These include connections to • Donegal: 00 353 (0) 74 954 8284 and from all the main airports as well as machines are located at most banks and Irish www.donegalairport.ie Expressway services linking Ireland’s main ATMS accept cards that have the CIRRUS, • Kerry: 00 353 (0) 66 976 4644 cities and towns. For more information go to ACCESS or PLUS symbol. The ATMs may www.kerryairport.ie their website: www.buseireann.ie. also issue cash on major credit cards. Visa, • Ireland West Knock: 00 353 (0) 94 In addition, there are quite a number of MasterCard and American Express credit 936 8100 cards are widely accepted in Ireland. www.irelandwestairport.com private coach companies dedicated to serving • ; 00 353 (0) 51 846 600 the needs of tourists. These coach operators www.flywaterford.com offer individualised service to groups, as well The In the Republic of Ireland, both English In Northern Ireland, the main airports are: as regular sightseeing tours. • Belfast City Airport: and Irish (Gaelic) are the official languages, 00 44 (0) 28 9093 9093 Ireland by rail but most residents will use English as their www.belfastcityairport.com Irish Rail is the national rail company, with a primary language. Street name signs and • Belfast International: comprehensive list of Intercity services across directional road signage are all bilingual. In 00 44 (0) 28 9448 4848 the country. For full details on destinations, areas of the country (typically found www.belfastairport.com routes, timetables and fares, visit their website: in the west around Galway, north in Donegal • City of Derry: and south around Kerry), Irish is spoken daily. 00 44 (0) 28 7181 0784 www.irishrail.ie. www.cityofderryairport.com In addition to the national rail links, However, even in these regions, people will there are two commuter rail lines serving also speak English.

12 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide For special offers go to www.ireland.com/golf FESTIVAL LISTINGS

BODY & SOUL FESTIVAL KILRUSH UPPER, CO. Festival Times • Cultural events in 2018 WESTMEATH 22-24 June 2018 Golf is just one of the many great activities on offer in Ireland. From world- A bizarre and beautiful banquet of music, art, class horse racing to the biggest and best cultural festivals and concerts, there is food, theatre and more, Body & Soul festival takes place over the Summer Solstice Weekend never a shortage of great events to attend in Ireland at , where the grounds and woods are transformed to create a mystical atmosphere. You never know what you might TEMPLE BAR TRADFEST stumble upon, with installations of all sorts DUBLIN around every corner. 24-28 Jan 2018 www.bodyandsoul.ie Temple Bar TradFest is an annual BLOOMSDAY FESTIVAL music and culture festival that takes place in late January in Dublin. Taking DUBLIN place over five days and five nights, the 11-16 June 2018 festival features over 200 free events, and it showcases the cream of both Irish Bloomsday is a celebration that takes place and international trad and folk artists, in Dublin and around the world. It celebrates providing a stage to promote the next Thursday 16 June 1904, which is the day generation of Irish musicianship. depicted in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. The www.tradfest.ie day is named after the central character in the book, Leopold Bloom. A lively celebration of Bloomsday Festival all things Joyce, join avid Joyceans from all 11-16 June 2018 over the world as they descend on Dublin. www.bloomsdayfestival.ie MONAGHAN COUNTRY MUSIC NORTHERN IRELAND OPEN FESTIVAL IRISH DERBY FESTIVAL BALLYMENA, CO. ANTRIM VHI Women’s Mini Marathon MONAGHAN, CO. MONAGHAN THE CURRAGH July/August 2018 3 June 2018 19-22 July 2018 29 June-1 July 2018 The Northern Ireland Open is a golf Monaghan Town Country Music festival is tournament at Galgorm Castle on the One of the highlights of the horse racing a charity-funded, open air, four-day country LISTOWEL WRITERS’ WEEK VHI WOMEN’S MINI MARATHON European and a stepping stone calendar, this three-day event promises to be a music and jiving festival, featuring some of to the ‘big time’ of world golf. It continues to LISTOWEL, CO. KERRY DUBLIN spectacle of fashion, entertainment, music and the best Irish acts in country music. Beginning grow every year thanks its family-orientated 3 June 2018 the finest racing. Some of the world’s best horses in 2013, the festival has taken over the entire 30 May – 3 June 2018 nature, with the NI Open Food Festival, and jockeys will be present for the magic of this town, and it also features a jiving dance exhibitors, live music, golf art exhibition and Listowel Writers’ Week is an international The biggest all-women’s event of its kind in the enthralling summer celebration at the iconic competition with a prize of 1,000 up for Fun Golf Area all included in the NI Open acclaimed 5-day literary festival devoted world, the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon has Curragh venue. grabs, so get practising! Village. www.niopen.golf to bringing together writers and grown steadily in numbers since it began in 1983. www.curragh.ie/visiting-the-curragh/ www.monaghantowncountrymusic.ie audiences at unique and innovative events Women of all ages, representing every county and derby-festival/ in the historic and intimate surroundings every walk of life, take part in this great festival of Listowel. It includes writing of women. No pressure is put on anyone, all you competitions, writing workshops, book have to do is walk, jog or run the 10k, it is up to launches, readings, lectures and seminars, each individual to set her own target. showcasing the best of Irish literature www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie from across the world. www.writersweek.ie

RORY GALLAGHER FESTIVAL , CO. DONEGAL St Patrick’s Day Festival 31 May – 3 June 2018 16-19 March 2018 Guitar legend Rory Gallagher has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and the Rory Gallagher International Tribute ST PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL Festival takes place in the town where DUBLIN / VARIOUS he was born – Ballyshannon. With over 10,000 fans now attending the festival 16-19 March 2018 annually from all over the world, it St Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s national day, features some top-quality rock-and-roll is a festival celebrating Ireland’s identity, music from the big top concerts, as well arts and cultures. It will showcase the as 25 hours of Free Open Air Concerts very best of Irish and international and Pub Gigs. talent. The legendary parade in Dublin www.rorygallagherfestival.com will travel across the city and will amaze with its myriad of colourful performers Rory Gallagher Festival and floats. 31 May – 3 June 2018 www.stpatricksfestival.ie

14 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 15 For special offers go to www.ireland.com/golf FESTIVAL LISTINGS

DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH OPEN GALWAY INTERNATIONAL BALLYLIFFIN, CO. DONEGAL OYSTER AND SEAFOOD 4-8 July 2018 FESTIVAL Ballyliffin Golf Club will host the 2018 GALWAY Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Spanish 28-30 September 2018 star Jon Rahm will defend his title on First celebrated in 1954, each year Galway City the Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin. An old celebrates the ‘bold man that first ate an oyster’ favourite of Rory McIlroy, this Donegal (Jonathan Swift) at the Galway International club should be a fantastic venue for a Oyster & Seafood Festival, the world’s largest European Tour event that continues to running Oyster festival. It has been described grow, with its status as a Rolex Series event by the Sunday Times as ‘one of the 12 greatest ensuring a $7m prize fund and a world- shows on earth’ and is not to be missed. class field. www.galwayoysterfestival.com www.dubaidutyfreeirishopen.com

GALWAY ARTS FESTIVAL NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS GALWAY , CO. OFFALY Rose of International Festival 16-29 July 2018 17-21 August 2018 18-20 September 2018 Every July, the Galway Arts Festival turns the City of Tribes into a festival party An outdoor agricultural show incorporating BANKS OF THE FOYLE LEOPARDSTOWN FESTIVAL Dubai Duty Free a ploughing contest, the National Ploughing with literature, drama, theatrics and pop- HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL LEOPARDSTOWN, CO DUBLIN up surprises. Right on the Wild Atlantic Irish Open Championships are a celebration of Irish rural life. Hosted since 1931, it draws over 1500 28-31 October 2018 26-29 December 2018 Way, the festival is packed with history. 4-8 July 2018 The festival packs in over 200 shows in exhibitors and achieves attendances of over Nowhere quite does Halloween like Derry- The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is one 25+ locations over 14 days. 200,000 each year. More than just farming, it Londonderry! Every year, the city goes above of the highlights of the Irish racing and social www.giaf.ie features attractions such as live entertainment, FLEADH CHEOIL NA fashion shows, crafts, live cooking and beyond to wow the festival goers with its calendar, featuring seven Grade 1 races over HEIREANN demonstrations, sheep dog trials, pony games spooktacular events. There’s something for four days. The Racing Post day kicks off high ELECTRIC PICNIC every age group to enjoy, with a jam-packed quality racing, while Ladies day at the Lexus DROGHEDA and welly throwing. STRADBALLY, LAOIS www.npa.ie carnival calendar extravaganza. Chase is one of the most anticipated fashion 12-19 August 2018 www.derryhalloween.com events on the Irish calendar. It is a chance to 31 August-2 September 2018 showcase your winter gems, enjoys a day out The world’s largest annual celebration of with friends, fine dining and entertainment. Irish music, language, song and dance, an Electric Picnic is an annual music and www.leopardstown.com estimated 400,000 visitors are expected arts festival, which since its inception to visit Drogheda for the Fleadh Cheoil. has consistently attracted some of the There will be competitions for instruments biggest names in music, previous acts such as violin, tin whistle, harp and banjo, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann have included OutKast, Arcade Fire, The as well as singing and dancing. It is a 12-19 August 2018 Killers and the Arctic Monkeys. Along unique and welcoming festival of the best with the world-class music, the festival of traditional arts that provides a week of also showcases art, theatre, comedy, food ‘great craic’ for all visitors. ROSE OF TRALEE and holistic health. www.fleadhcheoil.ie www.electricpicnic.ie INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TRALEE 17-21 August 2018 The Rose of Tralee International Festival is going into its 60th year in 2018. It brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to and connects the global Irish community in a carnival atmosphere of street entertainment, live music, culminating in the selection of Leopardstown Festival the Rose of Tralee for 2018. 26-29 December 2018 www.roseoftralee.ie THREE BROTHERS LISDOONVARNA MATCHMAKING CLASSIC 2018 FESTIVAL KENMARE, CO. KERRY LISDOONVARNA, CLARE September 2018 1 September – 1 October 2018 Fifty-four teams of three brothers will take If you’re looking for an Irish mate, this may be part in a two-day golf competition at Kenmare the festival for you. Europe’s largest matchmaking Golf Club. Teams will be travelling for the festival draws throngs of people to Lisdoonvarna event from the US, , the UK and all every year. Age is no barrier, those attending range around Ireland for this event. As well as the from 18 to 80. People don’t necessarily come to competitive side to the Classic, this event look for a spouse – they come in their thousands in is an annual chance for brothers and their search of a good time. families to get together and experience all that www.matchmakerireland.com Kenmare has to offer. Songs will be sung and Electric Picnic stories told until late at night. Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival 31 August-2 September 2018 www.kenmaregolfclub.com/3-brothers/ 28-31 October 2018

16 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 17 Irish Theatre Putting On A Show Ireland is the home of many world renowned playwrights and has a rich history of literary genius Bernard By David Gorman Shaw and DANCING AT LUGHNASA, A PLAY BY BRIAN FRIEL Beckett were particularly well known for their flair in writing plays, as were the brilliant reland is known internationally as the Oscar Wilde, Sean Ó’Casey land of saints and scholars and many scholarly literary giants came from I these shores. From acclaimed poets to and JM Synge to name world-famous novelists, we have had four Irish Nobel Prize Winners for just a few of our best Literature - William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. Bernard Shaw and Beckett were particularly playwrights. well known for their flair in writing plays, as were DRUID’S BAILEGANGAIRE, DUBLIN THEATRE FESTIVAL the brilliant Oscar Wilde, Sean Ó’Casey and JM Synge to name just a few of our best playwrights. Plays like Waiting for Godot, the Playboy of the Western World, the Plough and the Stars and The Importance of Being Earnest are Ireland’s gift to CORK OPERA HOUSE, CORK the literary world. These plays and many others are often shown in what is a strong theatrical during the two weeks of the Galway Westport Arts Festival is a mix of evening Irish scene, with a host of festivals and events to The Plough and the Stars will be contribution to the community as the Arts Festival in July, one of many great musical and theatrical programmes from enjoy. performed at the historic Gaiety only full-time producing theatre in literary festivals over the course of the some of the best global acts in the world. Venues like The Abbey Theatre are still thriving Theatre from 24 April-5 May this Northern Ireland. In Cork, you will year. Founded in 1976, the Galway Arts The Fit-up Theatre Festival in West today in the heart of Dublin. The Abbey first year, which was opened in 1871. find the 650-seat Victorian theatre, Festival has over 200,000 attendees at Cork is a twice yearly running festival opened its doors to the public in 1904, founded Today, it features old classics and some the Everyman Theatre, the oldest 200 performances, talks and exhibitions in February and July and August, which by Lady Gregory, Edward Martyn and WB Yeats. internationally-acclaimed plays. While purpose-built theatre building in Cork, across 26 venues. The BBC has described bring touring shows to small towns It features heavily in the history of the Irish in Dublin, check out the 2,111-capacity which features an eclectic mix of plays, the Galway Arts festival as “ one of and villages where there is a lack of nationalist struggle, with the riots culminating Bord Gáis Energy Theatre also, operas, musicals and concerts, but Europe’s most important cultural accessibility to areas where theatre is from Synge’s Playboy of the Western World with great family shows like Beauty specialises in drama. events”. Elsewhere in , the only occasionally aired and promotes resulting in civil disturbance. When rioters and the Beast and Matilda in 2018. In Galway, An Taibhdhearc are Irish Boyle Arts Festival in Co Roscommon is new Irish writing. returned for Ó’Casey’s The Plough and the Head to Belfast, and you have plays as Gaelige, the national Irish highly regarded for its group exhibition Stars, Yeats famously said, “You have disgraced the award-winning Lyric Theatre, language theatre in Ireland. of contemporary Irish art, classical GAIETY THEATRE, DUBLIN yourselves again; is this to be the recurring which makes a unique and vital The theatre is particularly busy celebration of the arrival of Irish genius?” music, drama and literature, while the

18 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 19 YOUR LINK Irish Whiskey Tours TO THE LINKS “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough,” wrote Mark Twain. Ireland is credited with having invented whiskey, known as ‘uisce beatha’ in Irish, or the ‘water of life’. Experience the drink with Irish Whiskey Tours, which include the whiskey distilleries of Ireland – past and present – but also the best whiskey pubs and bars in the country, the finest whiskey shops and some top class hotels and golf courses, where whiskey is as much at home as is excellence and hospitality.

WHISKEY DISTILLERIES Learn how world-famous whiskey is prepared by going on a distillery tour. Jameson Whiskey was distilled at the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin until 1971, which is a popular tourist attraction, as is the current location in in Cork. One can’t miss the popular in Antrim which produces the smooth tasting Bushmills. Elsewhere, try the Connacht Distillery Company in Ballina, Mayo. Along the banks of the River Moy in a unique western Irish setting, IRISH WHISKEY TRAILS the distillery’s barrel room houses Irish Whiskey Trails are available casks full of whiskey, where it slowly not just for whiskey-lovers but also matures. The Tullamore Distillery for anyone who wants to enjoy some is a new distillery in , of the very best Irish traditional where you can taste the famous pubs or who is simply interested . Visitors on a tour in Irish history and culture. Visit can explore the production process pubs from McCaul’s in Cavan in from still house to warehouse and the north to the Pub even create their own unique blend in Dublin in the east, from Folk of whiskey in the blending room. House Bar in Cork in the south to Lowry’s Pub in Galway in the west. IRISH WHISKEY MUSEUM Teeling Whiskey Distillery is WHISKEY SHOPS located in the historic Liberties of Buying the best whiskey comes Dublin City Centre, and each tour sometimes from specialised concludes with a taste of award- whiskey shops, others are off- winning Teeling Whiskeys, with a licences attached to pubs, but selection of tasting options to suit each offers you an exceptional the novice and aficionado alike. choice of Irish whiskeys. Many Also in Dublin City Centre of the whiskeys available in these is the Irish Whiskey Museum at shops cannot be found in airport College Green, telling history duty free shops or on ferries, so and tales of the rise and fall of they are well worth checking out Irish whiskey, through interactive if you are looking for the fullest exhibits, plus a tasting at the end. possible choice of Irish whiskeys. Celebrating a century in car hire Faster, Easier and more rewarding Join Gold Plus Rewards for free. Hertz.com/goldenrol Ryan’s Investments - Hertz International Franchisee ©The Hertz Corporation 20 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Irish Retail • Shop ‘Til You Drop Take home Ireland’s top fashions, and the best of Irish design

POWERSCOURT SHOPPING CENTRE, DUBLIN

ike any other European nation, Just outside Dublin, Kildare Village is home Ireland has a complete spectrum of to all your designer brand needs. Luxury shops and stores, from corner stalls goods on sale include Louise Kennedy, Gucci L to multi-national department stores. and Armani, which offer up to 60% off all Dublin is a modern European year round. Whitewater Shopping Centre in city and the very best brands are available in Newbridge, Co Kildare is Ireland’s largest stores throughout the capital. It was recently regional shopping centre. A whole host voted fifth best shopping city in the world, of retailers are awaiting your needs, from with praise for the city’s ‘eclectic mix of Debenhams to M&S, from Zara to H&M. shops, cafés, galleries and restaurants’. In Cork City, the newly added Opera Lane Ireland’s elegant flagship clothing outdoor shopping mall and street has become a department store, Brown Thomas, is haven for shoppers. It offers the best shopping located in Dublin, Cork, Limerick mix in Munster, and is home to premium and Galway, it is a popular haunt fashion stores. The prestigious Apple computer of Northern Irish star Rory dealership, Compu B is in Cork, the home McIlroy around Christmas time. city of Apple’s European Headquarters. In Dublin, shopping centres In Belfast, Victoria Square Shopping Centre (malls) are common. The largest is home to over 70 stores, cafés and restaurants of which is Dundrum Shopping including House of Fraser, Apple, Topshop and Centre, which is one of the Cruise. It is beautifully designed with a massive biggest in Europe, spanning more glass dome measuring 35m (115ft) in diameter. than 125,000 square metres, One of the most expensive property developments with over 170 shops and eateries. ever undertaken in Northern Ireland, there is a Shopping Centre wonderful 80 ft viewing area for families to enjoy. has over 180 stores (including Elsewhere in Northern Ireland, watch four Starbucks), with a nine-screen out for Sprucefield Shopping Centre, cinema and Leisureplex. Others Northern Ireland’s most spacious shopping GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN include Liffey Valley, Stephen’s Green, centre, just outside Lisburn, and Rushmere Jevis, Ilac and Omni Park Shopping Centre, Shopping Centre in the heart of Craigavon, which include all your favourite shops. featuring over 65 big named stores.

22 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Irish Food • Savoury cuisine Feast on the best meals that Ireland has to offer, from Irish stew to oysters A Golfers Paradise

A Golfers Paradise....

ith 26 Irish establishments Irish food may have evolved from that are harvested within Galway Bay. noted in the 2018 point thanks to European influences, Top-class fish and chip restaurants W , and local but potatoes are involved still involved can be enjoyed across the delicacies to try, Ireland in a lot of traditional Irish meals, country, from Howth to Kinsale has an abundance of including the famous Irish stew. The to , while trout, salmon, great food for visitors to feast on. exact recipe is not consistent from mackerel, cod and shellfish are Restaurant was the place to place but common ingredients also common seafood meals. first restaurant in Ireland to receive include lamb or mutton as well as may complain about all a two-star Michelin rating and the potatoes, carrots, onions and parsley. the rain we get all year, but it does Dublin restaurant has been described Other traditional dishes include: bacon ensure, at least, that we have some of as a ‘centre of fine dining excellence’. and cabbage (which consists of unsliced the best dairy produce in the world, as Michelin star restaurants are not back bacon boiled with cabbage and the climate guarantees a healthy grow confined to Dublin, however, and a potatoes), boxty (an Irish potato of grass through spring, summer and Co Clare pub, The , pancake) and colcannon (mashed early autumn. All cows graze outdoors became the first pub to be awarded potatoes with kale or cabbage). on fresh green grass, which makes the a star this year. Run by chef Aidan It would not be a trip to Ireland milk so rich and full of flavour, while McGrath and his wife, Kate, it has without enjoying a traditional Irish the grass also helps produce top-quality been described as having ‘a classical breakfast, a common offering at Irish meat. Irish Beef and Irish Steak are French base that delivers on flavour’. hotels before a round of golf or a day second to none on the world’s stage. When you think of Irish eating of sightseeing. The Irish breakfast ertified Irish Angus is exported around habits, you may think of the potato, includes bacon rashers, pork sausages, the world, and superb steak options can which has been the staple dish for fried eggs, white pudding, black be enjoyed in world-class restaurants. the vast majority of Irish families pudding, toast and fried tomatoes. for centuries and the overreliance Black pudding is made from blood, Where timeless elegance, warmth and hospitality awaits you at on the vegetable led to the Great grain (usually barley) and seasoning. Irish Famine in the 19th century. Tea or coffee is usually included also. In Northern Ireland, the the heart of Killarney Town • Hannigans Bar & Restaurant with Fry will see a slight variation, most notably Delicious All-Day Dining & Live Music • Within 90 Minutes of 12 soda bread and potato bread, with an omission Championship Standard Golf Courses • Golf Club Storage & Drying of white pudding. Ireland is surrounded by the sea and has a Room Facilities • Complimentary Goodie Bags for all Golfers fine seafood industry to be enjoyed by tourists. Oysters from the West Coast are popular, and the European Flat Oyster Kenmare Place, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland • T: +353 (0)64 6631816 • E: [email protected] is native to Irish shores, and Gigas Oysters, Wild Mussels and Wild Surf Clams www.killarneyinternational.com

The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 25 Tourism Ireland Offices FINDING US Finding Us For special offers go to www.ireland.com/golf

Asia Hub Great Britain - London Email: [email protected] Email: corporate.london@ Email: [email protected] Fáilte Ireland Address: JAFZA 18, 1st Floor, PO tourismireland.com Address:Tourism Ireland, Suite 1512, Box 5001101, Free Zone South - Address: 103 Wigmore St, London Shui On Plaza, 333 Huaihai Road, Jebel Ali Free Zone, W1U 1QS, Great Britain Shanghai 200021, Offices Dubai, UAE P.R China Telephone: +44 207 518 0800 Telephone: + 971 4813 7819 FAX: +44 207 493 9065 Telephone: +86 21 63858530 Website:www.ireland.com Website: www.ireland.com FAX: +86 21 63859200 Website: www.ireland.com Email: corporate.australia@ Email: corporate.italy@ Dublin tourismireland.com tourismireland.com Email: 88–95 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, D01 WR86 Address: Level 5, 36 Carrington Address: Turismo Irlandese, Piazza [email protected] Tel: 1890525525 / 01 884 7700 Street, Sydney, Australia, NSW 2000 Cantore, 4, 20123 Milano, Italy Address: Tourism Ireland, Beautiful Fax: 01 855 6821 Planet, Grants Building Annexure, Email: [email protected] Telephone: +61 29964 6900 Telephone: +39 02 58 17 73 11 Office No. 46, 1st Floor, Opposite 1 www.failteireland.ie FAX: +61 292996323 FAX: +39 02 58 17 73 09 Strand Cinema, Colaba,Mumbai, Website: www.ireland.com Website: www.irlanda.com India 400 005 Mullingar Second Floor, Fair Green House, Telephone: + 91 22 32961624 Green Bridge, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Email: corporate.belgium@ Email: corporate.netherlands@ FAX: + 91 22 22180489 N91 V5WC tourismireland.com tourismireland.com Website:www.ireland.com Tel: 044 9344000 Address: Louizalaan 66, Avenue Address: Spuistraat 104, 1012 VA, Fax: 044 9340413 Louise, 1050 Brussels, Brussels, Amsterdam, Netherlands UAE Email: [email protected] 2 Belgium Email: www.discoverireland.ie Telephone: +31205306050 [email protected] Telephone: +32 2 643 21 21 Fax: +31206208089 Address: Tourism Ireland Account Waterford FAX: + 32 2 642 98 51 Website: www.ierland.nl Manager, Four Communications, 4th floor Wallace House, Maritana Gate, Website: www.ireland.com PO Box 77782, 1st Floor, Room 101, Street, Waterford, X91 KC3V Nordic Region - Copenhagen Lime Building, TwoFour54, Al Salam Tel: 051 312700 Street, Abu Dhabi, UAE Fax: 051 312710 Canada Email: info.nordic@tourismireland. Email: [email protected] Email: corporate.canada@ com 3 Telephone:+ 971 244 72774 www.discoverireland.ie tourismireland.com Address: Store Kongensgade 3,1 , Address: 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 1264 Copenhagen K, Fax:+ 971 4 813 7814 Website:www.ireland.com Cork 3403, Toronto M4W 3E2, Canada Unit 2 Nessan House, River View Telephone: +45 33 15 80 45 Business Park, Bessboro Road, T12 R8HE Telephone: +1 416 925 6368 Website: www.ireland.com Blackrock, Co Cork FAX: +1 416 925 6033 Email: Tel: 021 4233200 Website: www.ireland.com [email protected] 4 Email: [email protected] Email: corporate.spain@ Address:Office 3H, Canterbury www.discoverireland.ie France tourismireland.com Arcade Building, 170 Queen St, Email: corporate.france@ Address: Paseo de la Castellana, 46 Auckland, New Zealand tourismireland.com -2ª Planta, 28046 Madrid, Madrid, Galway Address: 33 rue de Miromesnil, Spain Telephone: +649 977 2255 Unit 20F Liosbaun Business Park, 75008 Paris, France FAX: +649 977 2256 Tuam Road, Galway Telephone: +34 91 5775458 Website: www.ireland.com Tel: 091 537700 Telephone: +33 1 53 43 12 35 FAX: +34 91 5776934 Fax: 091 537733 5 Email: [email protected] FAX: +33 1 47 42 01 64 Website:www.turismodeirlanda.com www.discoverireland.ie Website: www.irlande-tourisme.fr Email: [email protected] USA Address: Development Promotions, Email: corporate.usa@ P.O. Box 41983, Craighall, Sligo Johannesberg 2024, South Africa. Áras Reddan, Temple Street, Sligo, Email: corporate.germany@ tourismireland.com F91 RX45 tourismireland.com Address: 345 Park Avenue, 17th Telephone: + 27 11 463 1132 Tel: (071) 9159676 Address: Gutleutstrasse 32, 60329 Floor, Fax: (071) 9160360 Frankfurt am Main, Germany New York, NY 10154, USA FAX: +27 11 463 1172 6 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ireland.com www.discoverireland.ie Telephone: +49 69-92 31 85 0 Telephone: +1 212 418 0800 FAX: +49 69 92318588 FAX: +212 371 9052 Website: www.ireland.com Website: www.ireland.com Email: [email protected] Address: Irland Information – Great Britain - Glasgow Tourism Ireland Email: corporate.glasgow@ Email: [email protected] Badenerstrasse 15, CH-8004 Zürich. tourismireland.com Address:Tourism Ireland, Address: James Millar House, 7th Argentinierstr. Telephone: +41 44 286 99 14 Floor, 98 West George Street, 2/4, 1040 Wien, Austria FAX: +41 44 286 99 37 Glasgow G2 1PJ, Website: www.ireland.com Great Britain Telephone: +43 1 581 8922 70 Telephone: +44 141 572 4030 FAX: +43 1 585 36 30 88 FAX: +44 1415724033 Website: www.ireland.com Website: www.ireland.com

26 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 27 Bailey Lighthouse, Howth Irish Cottage Industry • Authentic Wool STUNNING CLIFF WALKS, From Aran Sweaters to Donegal Tweed, take home the best materials from Irish cottage industries FRESH SEAFOOD AND BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, MINUTES FROM THE CITY.

n Ireland, everything was home By the twentieth century, there were power home, turning out the all-wool, handwoven produced in our grandparent’s mills, handweaving mills and individual fabric that is treasured throughout the world. time and some of those weavers operating. The handweavers were Cushendale Woollen Mills in I traditions still thrive today. also encouraged by the Irish Homespun Graiguenamangh, Co Kilkenny dates back to The skills of spinning and Society, which was founded in 1936. Cistercian monks in the early 13th century weaving in early Ireland were so important Kerry Woollen Mills is one of the last and Flemish weaves in the 17th century. that the Brehon Laws, written about surviving traditional woollen mills In the 19th century, a man called Patrick 600-800 A.D., included a part of still manufacturing in the wonderful Cushen began making wool there and the a wife’s entitlement in case Kerry countryside. The mill is set in business is still run by relatives of that family. of divorce that she keep a rural location with many of the You can visit the various mill her spindles, wool bags, three hundred-year-old buildings shops to view the full range of Irish weaver’s reeds and a share still standing and functional. wool and tweed available. of the yarn she had spun. The company produces The earliest known natural fibres in classic and evidence in Ireland of traditional styles and colours. woven material dates from Perhaps the most famous 1600 B.C., as pottery from product of the Irish Cottage that period shows signs of industry is the Aran Sweater. woven material in which the Often known as a Fisherman clay was placed before firing. A Sweater, they are distinguished fragment of cloth in the National by their use of complex textured stitch Museum, found in a bog in County patterns, several of which are combined Antrim, is dated from at least 700 B.C. in the creation of a single garment. Aran Historically, weaving in Ireland took Sweaters were knitted using unscoured two forms. Firstly, the rural handweaver wool that retained natural oils, which working in his own home, supplying his made garments water-resistant and meant own and his neighbours’ needs. Secondly, they remained wearable even when wet. from the thirteenth century onwards, Famous for its warmth and durability the more organised urban craftsman throughout the world, the hand-weaving weaved for a larger domestic and export skills of Donegal Tweed have been passed market. This letter was largely destroyed down through many generations. Today, by restrictive laws imposed on the export most Donegal Tweed comes from the Magee, of Irish woollen cloth at the end of the Molloy & McNutt factory power looms seventeenth century and did not revive which yield 600 or more yards a day, but there again until the late nineteenth century. are still some 25 local craftsmen working at

28 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Irish traditional • Folk Music and Dance Irish dance and Irish traditional music is loved all over the world

f music is the language of the soul, is known as a ‘session’. The general session Jigs, reels and polkas are all danced. then Ireland has a healthy offering scheme is that someone starts a tune, and The Irish dance was, of course, made I to give you when you come here those who know it join in. The session is an famous by the Riverdance show, which took with Irish traditional music. experience that is shared, not a performance off as an interval performance act during the “There are no notes on a that is bought and sold, and often goes 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, featuring Irish banjo. You just play it,” said Pete Seeger, on into the early hours of the morning. dancing champions Michael Flatley and Jean and that kind of joie de vivre is present Common instruments used to play Butler. It has since visited over 450 venues in all types of traditional music from the traditional music include the fiddle, worldwide and has been watched by over banjo to the fiddle to the tin whistle, which tin whistle, flute and Uilleann pipes. 25 million people, making it one of the most provides the music for dancing and singing. Instruments such as the accordion made successful dance productions in the world. Irish traditional music has endured more their appearances in Irish traditional music “Ireland is rich in literature that strongly against the forces of cinema, radio and in the late 19th century. The 4-string banjo understands a soul’s yearnings, and the mass media than the indigenous folk music and guitar are also regularly used. dancing that understands a happy of other countries. Comaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann The bódhran drum is famous in Irish heart,” said Margaret Jackson. (an Irish traditional music association) and the traditional music, measuring from 35 to 45 Experience the true Ireland by popularity of the Fleadh Cheoil music festival cm. A goatskin head is tacked to one side, enjoying Irish traditional music. have helped the music to endure to present day. with the other side open-ended for one hand Irish traditional music began as an oral to be placed against the inside of the drum tradition, passed on from generation to head to control pitch and timbre. The harp generation by listening, learning by ear and is one of the chief symbols of Ireland without formally writing the tunes on paper. and the Celtic Harp is a beautiful It originated with the Celts 2,000 years ago, wire-strung instrument requiring who were influenced by music of the East. great skill and practice to play. It is believed that the traditional Irish harp Irish traditional songs are may have originated from Ancient . written in English and Irish. It was not until the 18th century that Vocals unaccompanied by music was officially written down for the music are called sean nós and first time. The collecting of music continues are considered the ultimate today and the Irish Traditional music expression of traditional has travelled much further than Ireland singing. Songs called caoineadh thanks to our long history of emigration, are also sang, which are typified especially during the , where by lyrics stressing sorrow and vast numbers of Irish moved to the United pain. They are often sang for States and brought their music with them. the departed at funerals. Today, Irish music can be found in bars But most of Irish traditional and ceilis throughout the country. A gathering music is upbeat and very of people that play Irish traditional music much suits lively Irish dancing.

30 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Irish Pubs • Take the Edge Off MALAHIDE GOLF CLUB One of Ireland’s main exports to the rest of the world, a hearty welcome is given to all visitors of Irish pubs

GHOSTBUSTING Grace Neill’s, County Experience “The magic of Malahide” Down • Situated close to Dublin Airport, with easy access to the M50, Smugglers, pirates and all kinds of shady N1 and Dublin City Centre individuals have enjoyed a tipple in Grace • Malahide Golf Club assures you of a warm welcome, excellent Neill’s over its 400-year history, so no wonder there’s a ghost or two rattling cuisine and bar facilities, the combination of which sees many around. In fact, the pub is so haunted it returning year after year. has been visited by paranormal TV crews • Recent redevelopments in 2007 and 2009/10 by the renowned and ghost hunters. Careful where you sit… Golf Architect Jeff Howes have taken this magnifi cent 27 hole ood puzzle would be cross While not all Irish pubs will feature live Championship Golf Course to an even higher level. Dublin without passing a pub, Irish music, it is an important part of the • Individual and Golf Societies are warmly welcomed. mused Leopold Bloom in James culture, along with food, drink and sports. • For bookings please contact Mark Gannon, General Manager. G Joyce’s classic novel Ulysses. In Drinks include a variety of spirits and beers Ref – FIGG18 Dublin and all across Ireland, on tap, including Guinness and Irish whiskeys traditional Irish pubs are plentiful and are such as Bushmills or Jameson. As the home of Beechwood, The Grange, Malahide, Co. Dublin • E [email protected] • T 353 (1) 846 1611 • F 353 (1) 846 1270 • W www.malahidegolfclub.ie the social hub of much activity in towns and the ‘Black Stuff’, the quality of the Guinness villages across the country. in Ireland is unmatched elsewhere, and a pint The words ‘Irish pub’ sparks thoughts is an essential experience for all visitors in the of a unique culture of a casual and friendly country. JOIN US AT SOME OF THE atmosphere, hearty food and drink, Irish The main cities on the island have a vibrant sports, and traditional Irish music, wherever nightlife. In Temple Bar in Dublin and the GREATEST GOLF COURSE IN you are in the world. Cathedral Quarter in Belfast, experience the For many years, the local pub was cultural hub of both major cities, with great THE WORLD IN 2018. considered as a cornerstone of the community pubs and great grub. In truth, every urban in the same way the local church would be. area, no matter how small in Ireland, has its It functioned as both a place to consume fair share of interesting pubs. And some of alcohol at leisure as well as a place in which the most authentic Irish drinking experiences to meet and greet people of the locality. The will come in rural areas, where you will be congenial atmosphere still exists today, where transported back to a simpler time of ‘craic a warm and friendly atmosphere is extended and ceol’. to outsiders.

SOCIAL MEDIA OPEN 24 – 27 APRIL 2018 – from €335 per person Ballybunion Old, Ballybunion Cashen Course Dooks Golf Links, Tralee Golf Links SOCIAL MEDIA OPEN PARKLAND CHAMPIONSHIP 14 – 16 JUNE 2018 – from €149 per person Woodbrook Golf Club, Powerscourt East, Powerscourt West SOCIAL MEDIA OPEN NORTH 19 – 21 JULY 2018 – FROM €169 PER PERSON Narin & Portnoo Golf Club, Donegal golf Club Portsalon Golf Club HIGH UP SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS CHALLENGE Johnnie Fox’s, Co 23 – 25 AUGUST 2018 – from €165 per person Dublin Enniscrone Golf Links, Carne Golf Links Situated in Glencullen on top of the Golf only or Play & Stay packages available Dublin mountains, Johnnie Fox’s is one of Ireland’s oldest and most famous traditional Irish pubs, and also famed as the highest pub in the country. There is traditional Irish music every night, while a ‘Hooley Night’ sees the top Irish dancing and music perform, while Visit: www.experienceirelandgolfandtravel.com/events/ savouring award-winning dishes. Tel: +353-64-6622830 | Email: [email protected]

32 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Irish Cottages • Quaint Homes Recently revived thatched cottages are becoming increasingly popular options as holiday homes

There are luxury holiday or many international visitors, when they think industry. accommodation of rural Ireland, they think of A notable characteristic of the cottage was cottages, and for second or third the half door, a device which kept the children options, which can generation emigrants, it is where in and the animals out, while allowing in light offer peaceful, tranquil F their grandparents and great and air. The window size was often small grandparents would have lived. and the number of windows in a house was surroundings and an Cottages date back to the 1700s, where it curtailed by practicality and window taxes, but authentic Irish experience is believed that cottages evolved as advancing small windows also retained heat in the winter for the international building techniques employed for larger estate and kept cool in the summer. houses trickled down through the labourers As cottages progressed, new features were visitor dwellings. added such as the parlour room, behind the Stone would predominantly be used in hearth with another fireplace opened up coastal and rocky areas, muddy clay in the into it, as families became wealthier. midlands and even turf in boggy areas. It was rarely used by the family but Early cottages did not have any foundations, rather for a visiting dignitary such floors were often constructed of compacted as a priest, doctor or teacher. mud or clay, although flag stones were Range fireplaces began to replace frequently used where available. The fireplace the open hearth from the or hearth usually formed of stone and located 1800s, giving more efficient at the centre of the house with bedroom behind heat and cooking conditions. it to further absorb heat. The importance of Old Stanley solid fuel ranges the hearth in cottage life is illustrated by the are still popular in Ireland, famous Gaelic phrase “níl aon tinteán mar providing that same old, do thinteán féin’, which translates as “there’s moist heat that our ancestors no fireplace like your own fireplace” or more lived by decades ago. commonly used today “there’s no place like Today, revitalised cottages home”. have become popular holiday One of the defining features of a cottage is homes from Killarney and the roof, where traditional roofs were usually . There are luxury constructed of coupled rafters, then they were holiday accommodation stuffed with turf for insulation and the exterior options, which can offer was usually thatched. peaceful, tranquil surroundings The materials used for thatching varied and an authentic Irish experience according to the region’s produce, in areas for the international visitor. with good arable land, it was oaten or wheaten straw, other materials included heather, rushes, marram grass and flax where there was linen

The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 35

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rish crystal has a reputation for quality, excellence and beautiful design, so it is no surprise that I crystal is such a strong Irish export. Today, high-quality, Irish hand-cut crystal is being made by several reputable manufacturers across the country. Irish Crystal only became possible after the discovery of lead glass in the late 1600s, created by adding lead oxide to the silica mixture used to make glass. Most Irish Crystal is still made entirely by hand. The process starts with molten glass, which is blown into various shapes by Master Blowers using traditional wooden tools to shape and mould the hot glass as they blow it. The plain glass shapes are then cooled in special cooling ovens, which drop the temperature very slowly, before they are sent to be cut. Craftsmen outline the pattern of the cuts on the surface of the glass in ink and then using diamond tipped wheels cut the intricate shapes into the surface of the glass by hand. The most famous crystal manufacturer Superb greens, stunning views, in Ireland is the iconic Waterford Crystal brand, which has become the largest crystal and exquisite dining. manufacturer in the world. Golf fans may recognise the brand as a prolific creator of golf Holidays for golfers by golfers trophies. They produce the likes of trophy, the since 1987. trophy and, of course, the Irish Open trophy. “A player will look at his or her achievements Contact us to plan your next golf trip. and trophies play an important part in that,” says David McCoy, Sales & Marketing Director Call Jonathan on +44 (0)28 9751 1232 of House of Waterford Crystal. “There is a lot or email [email protected] of expertise in designing and making it - it’s the reason why we are world renowned for manufacturing these trophies.” www.bryansomers.co.uk The company also design pieces for the Peoples’ Choice Awards, the Snooker Masters, as well as the Times Square Ball for New

36 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide

QUARTER PAGE ADVERT_135x90mm.indd 1 18/12/2017 11:31 Encounters of the Great Kind Many of the modern After the Irish game’s greatest players, the iconic international golfers have Ballesteros was very enjoyed golf on the much every Irish person’s superb courses of Ireland next favourite player for his Scott McCarron, as awe- where the tournament was swashbuckling style, and he By David Gorman struck locals watched Woods won by another great, Ernie shoot a 67 on the brutish Els. The course is one of did so much to popularise links, which included one two designs shot of 341 yards off the in Ireland, the other Killeen the Irish Open in the fairway, while another Castle, which welcomed the memorable shot on the likes of Michelle Wie, Suzann 1980s seventh – rated one of the Pettersen and Cristie Kerr ne of golf’s most world’s 100 greatest golf here for the 2011 Solheim colourful characters holes – saw him contort his Cup. and one of the greatest body to curve a three- Golf’s greatest champion players of his time, shot around a bush and 210 Nicklaus has spent many days O yards into the breeze onto the in Ireland, one of the most Payne Stewart left a mark everywhere he green. memorable being one 31 went. A larger-than-life figure, this “This was a wonderful years ago, when he faced Seve fan favourite wore a flamboyant workout,” remarked Woods Ballesteros at Royal Dublin in attire of ivy caps and patterned after the round. “I really a challenge match. pants, which were a cross between appreciated being asked so The place was packed plus fours and knickerbockers. many questions by a links. I to the rafters with happy had to produce some of my golf fans, who were treated The three-time major winner PAYNE STEWART also had a special connection with specials.” to a display of top-notch Ireland, where he struck up a Woods played there in play, golf lessons and easy particularly close relationship with 2002, after winning two banter. It mattered not a Waterville in Co Kerry. majors earlier that year, and whit that Ballesteros won In 1998, Stewart, Tiger Woods, was heading for the Grand the match 70 to a 71 from , Lee Janzen and Stuart one Duval and Aussie star wants to be the mayor. There golfing greats that have Slam, before apocalyptic Golden . By entering Appleby accepted an invitation Appleby shake their heads, is no mayor of Waterville, but touched golf on these shores, weather on Saturday at the into the spirit of things with to stay at Waterville and play the laugh and sing along. captain of the golf club is a where the magnificent Open at derailed obvious enthusiasm, both nearby courses. As well as playing The pub is heaving, so pretty big honour. They tell landscape and terrific courses his chances. Woods did players made it a thoroughly Waterville, Stewart and company Stewart jumps behind the him he will be captain for the have made a lasting impact. return later that year to memorable occasion. also tackled the counter for a 30-minute shift 2000 season. His travel companion at win an event in Ireland, “Your weight must be and Ballybunion, a favourite of five- as guest barman. He isn’t Tragically, that never the time, Tiger Woods, has the 2002 WGC-American behind the ball,” Seve told time Open champion . taking any cash, his caddy happens. Stewart dies in a been here many times to Express Championship at the the crowd in a session about “It was his first visit to reminds him. “Drinks are on plane crash in October 1999, practice ahead of the Open wonderful parkland at Mount bunker play, executing a Ballybunion and he had a hole in me!” Stewart yells back. one month after winning Championship on our Juliet in Kilkenny, beating perfect shot – only to end up one at the third,” Noel Cronin, the He comes back the the Ryder Cup, when flying finest links courses, from Retief Goosen by a shot. covered in the best Bull Island secretary of Waterville, said. “He following year before the from his home in Orlando, Portmarnock to Ballybunion, “The greens are perfect and sand, to the amusement of had a memorable day - when he Open Championship. “We get Florida. He was only 42 years and the 14-time major the fairways are immaculate,” everyone else. came back, he caught a salmon.” into the pub and get around old. But his memory lives champion holds the course said Woods. “This course is After the Irish players, the Once the golf is over, it’s straight a piano. I bring out my on in Waterville. A bronze record at the European Club as well conditioned as any we iconic Ballesteros was very to the pub for some ‘craic and harmonica and the next thing statue has been erected in his in Co Wicklow. play on the PGA Tour.” much every Irish person’s ceol’, and Stewart is belting out a you know it’s about 4am.” memory by the many friends Woods arrived at the Two years later, the World next favourite player for his tune on his harmonica, as fellow By the time he leaves Kerry, he made on those short trips. course by helicopter, along Golf Championship would swashbuckling style, and he major winner Janzen, world number Stewart is telling people he Stewart is one of many with Duval, O’Meara, and return to Mount Juliet, did so much to popularise the

SEVE BALLESTEROS 38 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Irish Open in the 1980s, winning Ryder Cup 2006. Europe beat the Many of Ireland’s twice at Royal Dublin and once at USA by a record margin, 18 ½ to Portmarnock. In 1985, he holed a 9 ½, in what was a celebration of courses have been blessed ... putt the whole length of the 18th Ireland’s contribution to the world green to win the tournament, and of golf. to have been designed by Play started spontaneously boxing the From Greg Norman at air, while a crazy crowd started Doonbeg to at Lough the biggest names in golf. invading the green. Erne, from Bernhard Langer at And it is no wonder they Seve had that kind of impact, Portmarnock Links to O’Meara and he later designed the Heritage and Montgomerie at Carton are so keen to come here, course at Killenard in County House, many of Ireland’s courses Laois, one of the finest parkland have been blessed to have been given the entrancing land courses in Ireland. designed by the biggest names in Another legend to have great golf. And it is no wonder they are that we possess. affinity for Ireland and design so keen to come here, given the courses here was . entrancing land that we possess. From his visit to Ireland for the 1960 Canada Cup in Portmarnock, Old Head Golf Links which he won alongside Sam 22 mins, 8.5 miles Snead, The King was always a welcome guest on these shores. Kinsale Golf Club Palmer would later design 9 mins, miles 3.3 miles Tralee Golf Club, one of the finest links courses in the world Golf Club on a spectacular piece of land 53 mins, 26.3 miles overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It was the first European golf course Bandon Golf Club designed by the great man. 32mins, 14.6 miles Later, he would design the golf ...the most breathtaking yards in golf courses at The , which Cork Golf Club would welcome the world’s best 48mins, 22.5 miles golfers to Ireland for the greatest showpiece event of them all, the Lee Valley Golf Club Old Head Golf Links 35 mins, 23 miles

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40 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide

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A Rich History Ireland is one of the nations with the most golf courses per capita in the world, and that all began in the nineteenth century, when many of the world’s greatest courses were created. By David Gorman

een as a ‘gift from ’, golf in Ireland has a rich history that is surpassed by few other nations. “a S With a similar topography to Scotland, many of our oldest disillusioned courses have a similarity to the oldest links in and embittered Ireland the ‘Home of Golf’, characterised by dunes, and an undulating surface, which readily supports turned from parliamentary various indigenous browntop bents and red fescue ROYAL DUBLIN grasses. politics after the fall of Parnell Today, there are up to 430 affiliated clubs, in 1891, quite a number of Irish North and South, offering a captivating variety of links, parkland, and heathland terrain, many of in Ulster, given its close links to professionals to teach the game to its Union of Ireland today, and its men and women all over the plentiful supply. them set in beautiful and often stunning scenery Scotland since Ulster Plantation times. Irish enthusiasts. roll call of winners include Open country, especially from the World-famous links that became for which the island is famous. The Golfing Union In the early 1880s, a few holes were With golf beginning to take off champions Padraig Harrington and established in that decade included of Ireland, established in 1891, is the oldest laid out in Phoenix Park in Dublin the was . professional classes, seem to , Co Louth, Co Sligo and national golf union in the world. for keen golfer Arthur Balfour, who established in 1891, where it is must be have become obsessed Ballybunion. The first sign of golf in Ireland dates back to was Chief Secretary for Ireland. An suggested that the origins of the Union understood within the context of Another example of a great links 1762. That was when ‘Falkner’s Dublin Journal’ unpopular figure with locals, the Scot lay in the desire by a number of golf GAA, the nationalist game. The 1890s with golf.” created from that era was Portmarnock carried the notice: “The Goff Club meet to dine suppressed agrarian unrest whilst clubs to create an Irish Championship. were a difficult time for the GAA in the Golf Club. W.C. Pickeman, a native at the house of Mr Charles Moran at Bray on taking measures against absentee The Union was established at a meeting wake of the Charles Stewart Parnell W.B. Yeats of Edinburgh, spotted Portmarnock’s Thursday, the 28th October, at half an hour after landlords and opposed Irish Home in Belfast on 13 November 1891, split, and as W.B. Yeats wrote at the golfing potential when he visited the three o’clock. Elias De Butts, Esq. in the chair.” Rule. which was attended by representatives time “a disillusioned and embittered peninsula on Christmas Eve 1893. By Golf was played by the British officers As a result of Balfour’s game, the of nine clubs, all of which were Ireland turned from parliamentary the following October, he and some stationed at the Curragh from the 1850s, which course was dug up by Land League located in the province of Ulster. The politics after the fall of Parnell in 1891, considered a ‘foreign game’ by the GAA, associates had secured a 25-year lease was laid out by David Ritchie, a member of the supporters, but Royal Dublin was founding clubs were The County quite a number of Irish men and women as members of the GAA at the time were from the local landlord, John Jameson, Musselburgh Golf Club in Scotland, beside the founded not long afterwards in 1885, Down, The County Club at , all over the country, especially from forbade from playing games such as owner of the famous distillery, who Curragh Military Camp that was constructed in whose founding father was a Scottish Royal Belfast, Killymoon, Dungannon, the professional classes, seem to have tennis, cricket, polo and croquet. The became the club’s first president. The 1855. banker. Just three years later, Cork Aughnacloy, Ballycastle, Portsalon and become obsessed with golf.” game’s origins in a fellow Celtic country, Portmarnock course would be laid out It was not until 1881 that there was an official Golf Club became the first club to be Buncrana. This was a big reason for the golf Scotland, may have helped it to avoid the by the club’s first professional, Mungo club in Ireland, when Royal Belfast Club was set up in Munster. Within a year, there was the first boom in the early 1890s, as by 1901, stigma attached to other imported sports. Park of Musselburgh in Scotland, who established by George Baillie, a Scottish teacher Golf in Ireland was beginning to Irish Amateur Open Championship, there were 103 golf clubs in existence Land in those days was readily had won at his working in Belfast. It is unsurprising that a take shape, and it still maintained held at Royal Portrush, won by Scot across the island, with an estimated available and cheap, and every ‘links’ home course in 1874. number of the first Irish golf clubs were founded a distinctly Scottish influence. Alexander Stuart. The tournament is 12,000 golfers. proudly boasted its own ‘sporting Mungo Park was one of many Open Many early clubs imported Scottish the blue riband event of the Golfing Golf also benefitted from not being characters’, while caddies were in champions to visit Ireland and develop

42 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 43 the game here pre-WWI. twentieth century. By 1914, is responsible for Lahinch, Royal County Ireland had 190 clubs, and Down and Rosapenna, where two thirds had become a ‘great boon of the ‘Great Triumvirate of Golf’, Harry to many neighbourhoods, Vardon and James Braid, later made some which were once devoid of changes to Old Tom’s design. James Braid, a amusements.’ five-time winner of the Open, would design The First World War brought courses such as Kirkistown, Howth, and a disruption to golf, where up Tullamore. to 20% of members in Greystones Like in Scotland, the proliferation of Golf Club, for example, would serve. railways led to the explosion of the game. Many clubs would temporarily close Many members from down, with Royal Dublin briefly becoming would head for the seaside course of a rifle range. Lahinch in the summer when they found But, Ireland had caught the golfing bug the grass of the inland courses was too and it became embedded in our culture. The long. The Lartigue railway in North Kerry island is proud of its golfing paid part of the cost of the development of heritage, which has come . a long way since The Northern Counties’ Railway was the early steps instrumental in the development of golf were taken on at Portrush, where the stationmaster this island would often hold back the Belfast train to hundreds of The Northern accommodate returning golfers. Meanwhile, years ago. Counties’ Railway the Great Northern Railway styled itself as ‘the line for the golf links’. was instrumental in And so golf continued to grow, with 68 more clubs opening in the first decade of the the development of golf at Portrush, where the stationmaster would often hold back the Belfast train to accommodate returning golfers.

ROYAL PORTRUSH

44 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Counties in this section: Dublin From world-class links courses to fantastic parklands, Dublin is the perfect base with its sightseeing and nightlife mixed with a quality and easily accessible golf offering.

n Dublin’s Fair City, more and more to play golf where the girls are on a selection of over 30 so pretty,” goes the clubs, where four of I famous Dublin folk Ireland’s 18 Ryder Cup song ‘Molly Malone’, players, 12 Walker and more than just attractive Cup stars and one females, Dublin has a number of Open champion pretty and challenging courses in learned to play the the city. game. Dublin is Ireland’s capital city, Links courses may and visitors flock here in their be more associated with thousands every year to see the the West of Ireland and sights, but visitors are coming the Wild Atlantic Way,

PORTMARCK GOLF CLUB

46 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide THE ISLAND GOLF CLUB

Some of the DUBLIN world’s best golfers from Jack Nicklaus to Lee Trevino to Greg Norman to have played at Royal Dublin

PORTMARNOCK GOLF LINKS

probably have half a dozen great links courses within 30-40 minutes of where you are staying. It’s a great golfing destination.” One of those great links courses is The Island, near Donabate in the north of Dublin. Bordered on three sides by water, its massive dunes are its only protection from the winds that appear to blow almost incessantly. The Island was once only accessible by boat - golfers rowed across the estuary from Malahide from its founding in 1890 until 1973 when the burgeoning membership opted for the car as its preferred mode of MALAHIDE GOLF CLUB access. The Island will host the qualifying rounds of in but Dublin has treasured links to match Mickelson to Seve Ballesteros, who won who suggested that a breakwater be built course might boast six par-threes but it is far 2019, and this par-71 challenge is far from anywhere in the world. If you’re based in the Carroll’s Irish Open there in 1986. to provide shipping with a safe, deep and from an easy test. easy. Darren Clarke has fond memories of the city when travelling, all are within a The course has not held an Irish straight passage into the heart of Dublin. McGinley won the with The Island, and shot an eight-under-par, short driving distance. Open since 2003, but has been used The Bull Wall was built and the silting good friend Padraig Harrington in 1997. course record 63 there, in the second round The jewel of the lot is, of course, the by the best golfers in world to tune up up which followed became the Bull Island, Harrington is another proud Dubliner, of the Irish PGA Championship. legendary , which for The Open, including World Number a nature reserve and home of a fabled club and he would go on to become the first The Island is one of many fine clubs on will host the Amateur Championship in 1 . Tiger Woods used where the Irish Amateur Open was played Irishman for 60 years to lift the the north side of the city. Right beside it is 2019. Just 12 miles from the city centre, to play at Portmarnock en route to his in 2016. after winning the Open Championship at Balcarrick Golf Club, Donabate Golf Club it is regularly voted among the best golf record-breaking displays at golf’s oldest Bull Island is also home to another classic Carnoustie in 2007, before adding another and Corballis Links Golf Club, a relatively courses in the world. championship. links in St Anne’s Golf Club, a tight course Open title and US PGA to his cabinet the new links offering some breathtaking It has a long history of hosting golf “Coming here has been instrumental in with holes nearby and parallel to each other, following year. sea views. Outside of the world-famous STACKSTOWN tournaments, including the 1960 Canada preparing for the British Open, not only for where the final three holes will send you Harrington’s club, Stackstown, sits high links, this part of Dublin has a number Cup, when an American team of Arnold getting me adjusted to the time difference to the clubhouse with a smile. The club is above the city in the Dublin mountains, of fine courses that offer decent value, Palmer and Sam Snead won the trophy. but also for getting used to playing forever linked with Dr David Sheahen, who offering panoramic views of the metropolis from Malahide to Rush, from Skerries to Portmarnock was Palmer’s first ever links golf,” Woods said. “We’ve played course on Bull Island is also known as the upstaged the professionals by winning the and its golfing delights. Visitors can bask Beaverstown. experience of links golf and Palmer fell in Portmarnock just about every year. It’s one ‘Old Lady’ of Dollymount. The historic first Jeyes Tournament in 1962 when still a in the history of Harrington’s major There’s also Balbriggan Golf Club, love with the course and that type of game. of the most enjoyable links courses I have Royal Dublin once hosted the greatest medical student. wins at Stackstown with the ‘Harrington just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport, Upon returning home to America, he said: had the opportunity to play.” pioneer in the history of the game, Old While he was brought up near Mullingar, Room’, where one can see the trophies which has been newly developed by “I recall saying to Sam that every aspect of Bernhard Langer won the Irish Open Tom Morris, who played two matches there Sheahan was a member of Grange in and memorabilia of the Irishman’s great Eddie Connaughton with USGA standard our games was examined that week. It’s the at Portmarnock in 1987 and he liked the in 1894. the south Dublin golfing enclave of achievements. sand-based greens and tee boxes along first time I’ve played a course like this one, area so much that he came back less than Some of the world’s best golfers from Rathfarnham until his death in 2016. Harrington says that tourists sometimes mature tree-lined fairways and well-placed and I’ve learnt a lot of shots - shots I’ve a decade later to create the wonderful Jack Nicklaus to Lee Trevino to Greg It was there that captain forget how great Dublin is as a golfing hazards. never played before in my life.” Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links beside Norman to Ernie Els have played at Royal Paul McGinley learnt the game and Eamon destination. One of the more scenic locations to The King would go on to win the 1961 the famous links. The Hotel course is Dublin, while it was also a favourite of Darcy, another Ryder Cup star, was an “Go to Dublin and you have all the play golf in Dublin is Howth Golf Club. and 1962 Open Championships, and more accessible than its older brother and former US President and assistant professional. Situated in the nightlife and all the restaurants and yet you Meandering across the Hill of Howth, his love of links would later inspire him combines the charm of a traditional style showbiz stars Bob Hope and Sean Connery. foothills of the Dublin mountains, just 15 have fantastic golf courses that are accessible this challenging heathland course features to design Tralee Golf Links in Kerry, a layout with the challenges of the modern Renovated by the golf architect Martin minutes from the city centre, it has been if you are staying right in the centre of the panoramic views of Dublin Bay and the magnificent course almost the equal of the game. Hawtree in recent years, Royal Dublin voted the best parkland course in Dublin by city. north Dublin coast. great Dublin course. Langer and Seve both won Irish Opens would not exist at all had it not been for . Grange adjoins Marlay Park “One of the underestimated tourist Along with the golf at Howth Golf Club, Portmarnock has been played by the at Portmarnock and Royal Dublin in the a distinguished survivor of mutiny on the and is beside St Enda’s Park, which provide destinations is staying in the centre of vistors can enjoy a day at the picturesque best in golf, from Tom Watson to Phil glory days of the 1980s and the iconic links Bounty in 1789, Captain William Bligh, wonderful natural boundaries. The tree-lined Dublin city and travelling from there. You fishing town of Howth. With its selection

48 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 49 of world-class seafood restaurants, a tasty Follow the Liffey upstream traditional fish and chip meal can be enjoyed and you will meet , after a long day on the golf course. Hermitage and Lucan. North of the city, there are also newer Hermitage Golf Club, a quality additions likes St Margaret’s, Roganstown, parkland course, continues Hollywood Lakes and that ensure to improve. Blessed with a a fun day out. verdant, rolling setting, it is If staying in the city centre and looking within the part of the beautiful for a budget option, there are some public Liffey Valley known as the courses accessible by Dublin’s expansive public Strawberry Beds. transport system of rail, tram and bus. Access Not far from Castleknock the 4 bus to arrive at Silloge Club, and Hermitage is Luttrellstown access Elm Park Golf Club and Deer Park Golf Castle, another parkland gem. Club from the Dart line. Cast by the same design team that CASTLENKNOCK GOLF CLUB If staying in the leafy southern suburbs of created the likes of and Dublin city, there are many courses to choose Royal St George’s, Luttrellstown is an from Milltown to Foxrock to Castle Golf impressive venue with a great course in Club, which is one of the oldest courses in the excellent condition. The clubhouse facilities Dublin area. further complement the wonderful on-course superb access point to visit the many experience. fantastic courses across the island. It is beautifully maintained all year around But it sometimes easy to forget how and run with precision by former European great golf is in the county itself. Tour player and former Spanish Open winner And with the capital attracting . the majority of tourists who come to Follow the As the nation’s capital, Dublin serves as a Ireland every year, golf must rank as one of our most hidden assets. Liffey upstream and you will meet Castleknock, Hermitage and Lucan. Hermitage Golf Club, a quality parkland course, continues to improve.

HERMITAGE GOLF CLUB

50 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 51 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide THE BOOK OF KELLS TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN For special offers go to www.ireland.com/golf The Old Library and the Book of Kells exhibition are a ‘must see’ on the itinerary of all visitors to Dublin. This magnificent 9th century manuscript of the four gospels, is on

display in the 18th century Old Library. DUBLIN www.tcd.ie THE GUINNESS STOREHOUSE ST. JAMES’ GATE, DUBLIN The Guinness Storehouse is Ireland’s number 40 one tourist attraction where visitors are taken 1/2/4/11/14/41/43 on a magical journey into the world famous Guinness brand. Pints of Guinness can be 12 pulled by guests, with tastings and a rooftop. 50 28 49 www.guinness-storehouse.com 46

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38 & GARDENS 42 MALAHIDE, DUBLIN 51 Set on 250 acres of beautiful parkland, Malahide Castle is an ideal escape from the bustling city. Dating back to the 48 12th century, it is a marvellous place to walk in peaceful 53 surroundings. www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie 20 13 29 45 34 10 8 THE AVIVA STADIUM 52 27 BALLSBRIDGE, DUBLIN 33 The Aviva Stadium is home to Ireland’s international football and rugby games. It is the oldest test rugby ground in the world still in use, and holds over 50,000 people. www.avivastadium.ie

TEELING EPIC THE IRISH EMIGRATION MUSEUM 19 WHISKEY 25 DISTILLERY CUSTOM HOUSE QUAY 37 EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is an interactive 7 36 5 MERCHANT’S experience. Step through 20 themed galleries on a journey 24/39 QUAY, DUBLIN to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world. 38 Located in the heart of Find out why people left, see how they influenced the world 26 Dublin City Centre, in they found, and experience the connection between their the historic Liberties, the descendants and Ireland today. 9 22 www.epicchq.com 18 Teeling Whiskey Distillery 32 15 6/30 is the first new Dublin 47 16 3 Distillery in over 125 31 years. It brings the choice and breadth back to the 23 44 17 Irish whiskey category. www.teelingwhiskey.com A-Z GOLF COURSES IN DUBLIN

THE LITTLE MUSEUM OF DUBLIN 1. Balbriggan 15. Dublin City 29. Howth 42. Silloge Park DUBLIN CITY 2. Balcarrick 16. Dublin Mountain 30. Killiney 43. Skerries Covering three floors of a beautiful Georgian townhouse 3. Ballinascorney 17. Dun Laoghaire 31. 44. South County the museum covers the social and political history of Dublin 4. Beaverstown 18. Edmondstown 32. Leopardstown 45. St. Anne’s in the 20th Century, from the visit of Queen Victoria to the 5. Beech Park 19. Elm Park 33. Lucan 46. St. Margarets global success of U2. DELICIOUS 6. Carrickmines 20. Elmgreen 34. 47. Stackstown www.littlemuseum.ie DUBLIN TOURS 7. Castle 21. Forrest Little 35. Malahide 48. Sutton DUBLIN CITY 8. Castleknock 22. Foxrock 36. Milltown 49. Swords A personable, ‘off the 9. Citywest Hotel & Golf 23. Glencullen 37. Newlands 50. The Island beaten track’ walking food 10. 24. Grange 38. Portmarnock Hotel 51. Portmarnock Golf Club tour of Dublin. Learn the 11. Corballis Links 25. Grange Castle & Golf Links 52. The Royal Dublin

EXPERIENCES AND ATTRACTIONS history of Irish food as well 12. Corrstown 26. Hazel Grove 39. Rathfarnham 53. Westmanstown as the contemporary food 13. Deer Park 27. Hermitage 40. Roganstown scene, led by an award- 14. Donabate 28. Hollystown 41. Rush winning food blogger, offered in English and French. www.deliciousdublintours.com More information on Dublin courses at www.ireland.com/golf

52 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 53 No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

DUBLIN 18 DUBLIN

CORBALLIS

The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 55 FI Links Golf Ireland Pull Page ART.pdf 1 06/10/2016 23:36

No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

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Ireland’s leading tour operator

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“Garreth and his team have amazing contacts and destination knowledge to make all the arrangements you need for a great trip.” — Des Smyth, Ryder Cup Vice Captain 2014 and leading PGA Professional.

“People often ask me why we are different from other tour operators? It’s simple, we meet all our clients during their trip and offer an attention to detail personalized service throughout their stay. — Garreth Cooke - Founder

Offices in Dublin, Shannon & Edinburgh

PORTMARNOCK HOTEL & GOLF LINKS International +353-1-883-1940 | USA Toll Free 1800-550-4162 | [email protected] LinksGolf-Ireland.com 56 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

DUBLIN 18

Club listings in Dublin DUBLIN

Balbriggan Dun Laoghaire BALBRIGGAN GOLF CLUB Blackhall, Balbriggan, Co Dublin Ballyman Road, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow www.balbriggangolfclub.com www.dunlaoghairegolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 841 2229 00 353 (0) 1 2721866 Balcarrick Edmondstown Corballis, Donabate, Co Dublin Edmondstown Road, Rathfarnham, www.balcarrickgolfclub.com Dublin 16 [email protected] www.edmondstowngolfclub.ie 00 353 (0) 1 843 6957 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 493 1082 Ballinascorney Oldfield, Kilmashogue Lane, Rathfarnham, Elm Park Dublin 16 Nutley House, Nutley Lane, Donnybrook, www.ballinascorneygc.com Dublin 4 [email protected] www.elmparkgolfclub.ie 00 353 (0) 1 493 7755 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 269 3438 Beaverstown Beaverstown, Donabate, Co Dublin Elmgreen www.beaverstown.com Castleknock, [email protected] www.elmgreengolfclub.ie 00 353 (0) 1 843 6439 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 823 4671 Beech Park Johnstown, Rathcoole, Co Dublin Forrest Little www.beechpark.ie Cloghran, Swords, Co Dublin [email protected] www.forrestlittle.ie 00 353 (0) 1 458 0522 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 840 1763 Carrickmines Golf Lane, Carrickmines, Dublin 18 Foxrock www.carrickminesgolfclub.ie Torquay Rd, Foxrock, Dublin 18 www.foxrockgolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 295 5972 00 353 (0) 1 289 3992 Castle Woodside Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 Glencullen Glencullen, Co Dublin www.castlegc.ie www.glencullengolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 490 4207 00 353 (0) 1 2940898 Castleknock Grange Porterstown Road, Dublin 15 Whitechurch Road, Rathfarmhan, www.castleknockgolfclub.ie Dublin 14 [email protected] www.grangegolfclub.ie 00 353 (0) 1 640 8736 [email protected] Citywest 00 353 (0) 1 493 2889 Citywest Hotel, Saggart, Co Dublin Grange Castle www.citywesthotel.com Nangor Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 [email protected] www.grangecastlegc.com 00 353 (0) 1 401 0878 [email protected] Clontarf 00 353 (0) 1 464 1043 Donnycarney House, Malahide Road, Hazel Grove Dublin 3 Mount Seskin Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, www.clontarfgolfclub.ie Dublin 24 [email protected] www.hazelgrove.ie 00 353 (0) 1 833 1892 [email protected] Corballis Links 00 353 (0) 1 452 0911 Corballis Road, Donabate, Co Dublin Hermitage www.corballislinks.com Ballydowd, Lucan, Co Dublin [email protected] www.hermitagegolf.ie 00 353 (0) 1 843 6583 [email protected] Corrstown 00 353 (0) 1 626 8491 Kilmashogue Malahide Portmarnock Hotel Silloge Park St. Margarets The Island St Columba’s College, Whitechurch, Beechwood, The Grange, Malahide, Silloge Park, Ballymun Road, Swords, Corrstown, Kilsallaghan, Co Dublin Hollystown & Golf Links St. Margarets, Co Dublin Corballis, Donabate, Co Dublin Dublin 16 Co Dublin Co Dublin www.corrstowngolfclub.com Hollystown, Dublin 15 Strand Road, Portmarnock, Co Dublin www.stmargaretsgolf.com www.kilmashoguegc.ie www.malahidegolfclub.ie www.sillogeparkgolfclub.com www.theislandgolfclub.com [email protected] www.hollystown.com www.portmarnock.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 8640533 [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 864 0400 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 495 2237 00 353 (0) 1 8461611 00 353 (0) 1 846 0611 00 353 (0) 1 842 9956 Deer Park 00 353 (0) 1 820 7444 00 353 (0) 1 843 6205 Leopardstown Skerries Stackstown Deer Park Hotel, Howth Demesne, Howth, Milltown Rathfarnham Hollywood Lakes Leopardstown Race Course, Foxrock, Hacketstown, Skerries, Co Dublin Kellystown Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 Co Dublin Lower Churchtown Road, Dublin 14 Newtown, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 The Royal Dublin Ballyboughal, Co Dublin Dublin 18 www.skerriesgolfclub.ie www.stackstowngolfclub.ie www.deerparkgolfclub.com www.milltowngolfclub.ie www.rathfarnhamgolfclub.ie www.hollywoodlakesgolfclub.com www.golf.leopardstown.com [email protected] [email protected] North Bull Island Nature Reserve, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 849 1567 00 353 (0) 1 4941993 00 353 (0) 1 497 6090 00 353 (0) 1 493 1201 Dollymount, Dublin 3 00 353 (0) 1 832 2624 00 353 (0) 1 843 3406 00 353 (0) 1 2895341 Slade Valley Sutton www.theroyaldublingolfclub.com Donabate Howth Newlands Roganstown Lucan Lynch Park, Brittas, Co Dublin Cush Point, Sutton, Dublin 13 [email protected] Balcarrick, Donabate, Co Dublin Carrickbrack Road, Sutton, Dublin 13 Newlands Cross, Dublin 22 Swords, Co Dublin Celbridge Road, Lucan, Co Dublin www.sladevalleygolfclub.ie www.suttongolfclub.org www.donabategolfclub.com www.howthgolfclub.ie www.lucangolfclub.ie www.newlandsgolfclub.com www.roganstown.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 833 6346 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 458 2183 00 353 (0) 1 832 3013 00 353 (0) 1 843 6346 00 353 (0) 1 832 3055 00 353 (0) 1 628 2106 00 353 (0) 1 459 3157 00 353 (0) 1 843 3118 Westmanstown St. Anne’s Dublin City Killiney Luttrellstown Castle Portmarnock Rush Bull Island Nature Reserve, Dollymount, Swords Open , Dublin 15 Ballinascorney, Tallaght, Dublin 24 Ballinclea Road, Killiney, Co Dublin Porterstown Road, Castleknock, Dublin 15 Golf Links Road, Portmarnock, Co Dublin Sandyhills, Rush, Co Dublin Dublin 5 Balheary Ave., Swords, Co Dublin www.westmanstowngolfclub.ie www.dublincitygolf.net www.killineygolfclub.ie www.luttrellstowncastlegolf.com www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie www.rushgolfclub.com www.stanneslinksgolf.com www.swordsopengolfcourse.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 451 6430 00 353 (0) 1 285 1983 00 353 (0) 1 8609600 00 353 (0) 1 8462968 00 353 (0) 1 843 8177 00 353 (0) 1 833 6471 00 353 (0) 1 840 9819 00 353 (0) 1 820 5817

58 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 59 No. of rooms Leisure centre Spa facilities Conference Rooms Golf on site Tennis Wi-Fi Parking Fishing Horse Riding DUBLIN

Portmarnock HOTEL & GOLF LINKS

For more information, please contact [email protected] | www.portmarnock.com | +353 (0)1 866 6592

The Royal Dublin Golf Club, Ireland’s second oldest golf club, was founded in 1885 and is home to one of the finest links courses in the country. Designed by the legendary and host to numerous championships it is a must visit for any golfer looking for a true links experience. Visit Royal Dublin and follow Enjoy exploring Ireland’s Capital City in the footsteps of Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, and Louis and escape to the fairways, with a superb selection of Oosthuizen who have all been crowned Champions on this classic championship golf courses only a short drive away links. We look forward to giving all our visitors a warm Royal Dublin welcome. Ideally located just 15 minutes from Dublin City Centre and 20 minutes from Dublin airport. Suggested Golf Courses: Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, Powerscourt, Luttrellstown Castle, Druids Glen Green fees: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday €150. Friday to Sunday €175 Located 2 minutes from Luas transport system The Royal Dublin Golf Club, North Bull Island Nature Reserve, Dollymount, Dublin 3, Ireland and a 5 minute walk to St.Stephen’s Green ST. AUDOEN’S CHURCH 01 475 9666 T +353 1 8336346 www.camdencourthotel.com | Camden Street, Dublin 2, Ireland E [email protected] W www.theroyaldublingolfclub.com

60 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Counties in this section: Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow From megalithic tombs to medieval monasteries, Ireland’s Ancient East is a treasure trove of history as well as a golfing paradise.

arpeted by lush courses on the land. landscapes and Many courses in Ireland’s C idyllic towns, Ancient East are easily Ireland’s Ancient accessible from Dublin East covers 17 counties from airport, and a good place to Monaghan in the north to Cork start is in Co Wicklow, with in the south. Explore 5,000 years several courses within the of history, with some of the limits of the M50 motorway. best places to play golf on this Take, for example, 2016 wonderful island as well. Curtis Cup venue, Dun Golf in this region is dominated Laoghaire Golf Club. Formerly by pristine parklands, but it also located in the seaside town of includes some of the best links Dun Laoghaire, it moved to the

CO LOUTH GOLF CLUB

62 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST

TRIM CASTLE

THE EUROPEAN CLUB

Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne - in 1926. The good doctor proposed three entirely new holes, created new greens and, radically, installed sand filled bunkers. Near Cork City is Fota Island Hotel & Golf Resort, a three-time host of the Irish Open, most recently in 2014. Also host to Ireland’s only wildlife park and the historical Fota House, it is a tremendous golfing facility with a course that features tricky bunkering and engaging greens. Head up to the midlands and you have got another stunning Championship Wicklow course in Laois, the Heritage Resort and Spa, created by the great Seve Ballesteros WEXFORD GOLF COURSE also features one in partnership with Jeff Howes. Set in the beautiful rolling countryside, the course of the toughest and wanders its way through this picturesque seaside town of Dun Laoghaire, it moved Aughrim highest-rated courses setting, featuring some tricky water to the picturesque Ballyman Glen in 2007, rivers hazards and a plethora of bunkers. The at the foot of the spectacular throughout. in Ireland. The European course hosted the 2007 Seve Trophy. It is a Mountain. It is a course where a three- Other special place that is so well built that it is time major winner regularly frequents. parkland Club benefits from the playable all through the winter and spring, “Excellent, strategic design makes it a real classics A must-play, on one of the best maintained courses in the Patrick Merrigan, and features undulating no matter how much rain might fall. test,” Pádraig Harrington says.. “I can find to play in constant inputs of one but make sure to country. greens, water hazards and perfectly placed Offaly is famous for its bogs, which a lot of golf shots similar to those I would Wicklow of the most astute pack plenty of golf Carlow Golf Club is regarded as one of the sand traps, which complete and heighten the have gifted Ireland a treasure trove of encounter on tournament courses.” include balls! finest of the older parkland courses in Ireland, challenge. Bronze Age artefacts that date from The magnificent Druids Glen Hotel & Tulfarris Hotel, designers the game Just 20 minutes and hosts the annual Midland Scratch Cup There are few greener counties than between 6,800 - 6,000 BCE. It features Golf Resort in Wicklow is where Sergio Delgany Golf down the road is that’s been captured by many of the game’s Tipperary and it is no surprise that it is also Tullamore Golf Club, which is an excellent Garcia won his first professional event at Club, Woodbrook, has seen. another links classic, greats. home to some wonderful parkland courses parkland challenge thanks to massive the 1999 Irish Open, and features two fine Charlesland and Arklow Golf Links, where To the west of Carlow is Kilkenny. Golf in from Clonmel and Cahir Park to the Philip clusters of century old oak, beech and courses - Druids Glen and Druids Heath. Greystones Golf Club, Eddie Connaughton’s green Kilkenny is dominated by the superb Mount Walton-designed Tipperary Golf Club, chesnut trees. Offaly is also the home to Druids Heath features golden fescues and where golf star designs are a marvellous collection, Juliet Estate, which has twice hosted the Ballykisteen Golf and Country Club or European Tour star , who gorse protecting the course in a heathland grew up. rolling raucously and undulating violently in World Golf Championship, won by Tiger Golf Club. grew up at Esker Hills. fashion, while the pristine Druids Glen is a Wicklow also features one of the toughest some places. Woods and Ernie Els. One of Ireland’s most The county is brimming with wonderful Shane Lowry won the Mullingar fine test of golf, with views over the Irish Sea and highest-rated courses in Ireland. The Bordering Wicklow to the south is luxurious parkland enclaves has seen constant attractions such as the - a Scratch Trophy as an amateur, as did coupled with the surrounding woods. European Club benefits from the constant Carlow and Wexford, where another links investment, including a new academy recently spectacular collection of medieval buildings Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke, and this Druids Glen is a great place to stay inputs of one of the most astute designers test, Rosslare Golf Club, is an original designed by Paul McGinley. This Jack set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden famous competition on the Irish amateur when in Ireland, as is , the game has seen, Pat Ruddy, who Hawtree design and a great example of a Nicklaus design is a delight and is famous Vale. scene is held at Mullingar Golf Club in a five-star hotel, which is noted for its developed a links admired by the best to traditional links. for attracting repeat business from its loyal Cork City is the third biggest on the island , a James Braid classic house and landscaped gardens. It features play the game. Head to Wexford town and you will customers. Playing Mount Juliet will leave and a treat for the visitor with a host of that winds its way through this wooded two Championship courses in spectacular The course record is held by none other find Wexford Golf Club in the heart of the happy memories of some great holes, some attractions for lovers of music, the arts and parkland setting. Nearby New Forest is an surroundings, East and West, with fast than Tiger Woods at 67, who said “What town, which has reaped the rewards of delightful countryside and perhaps even a sport. undulating parkland gem with some of the greens and hilly fairways. wonderful optical illusions. I thought some recent upgrades to the course. Meanwhile, glimpse of the wandering pheasants. Not only are you within a short drive of the finest putting surfaces in Ireland. The Paul McGinley-designed Macreddin of those par-4s were par-5s. A great links.” Bunclody is a beautiful open parkland Head south of Kilkenny to Waterford, with Stone, it is also a great place to golf The town of Athlone is noted for Golf Club is one of the best new parklands Padraig Harrington credits winning the Irish course which features mixed terrain that great courses like , which is with up to a dozen clubs within easy reach its 12th century castle, housing eight in Ireland, incorporating statuesque pines, PGA Championship there in in 2007 and will challenge golfers, especially the string of Ireland’s only true island golf course, accessed from the city, including Douglas, Mahon, Lee chronologically themed interactive well protected greens, elevated landing areas 2008 for giving him the perfect preparation quality ending holes that culminate with the by complimentary car ferry, West Waterford, Valley and . exhibition rooms, and just outside the and a free flowing brook to a course with for winning the Open a few weeks later, tree-lined par 5 18th. Tramore and Faithlegg House Hotel and Golf One of Irish golf’s historic clubs, Cork town is Glasson Country House Hotel & wonderful definition. Another picturesque while Rory McIlroy said that he considered Head to Carlow and you will find Mount Resort. Golf Club was formed in 1888 by prominent Golf Club, a superb venue with lakeside wooded challenge is Woodenbridge, which The European Club to be the best links he Wolseley, host of the Irish Challenge on A thriving resort that’s popular with golfers Cork businessmen, before undergoing a major scenery and tour quality conditions, has been described as ‘Ireland’s Augusta’, had played, “including Royal St. George’s, the European Challenge Tour, and a great and families alike, Faithlegg is an enticing redesign by Dr Alister MacKenzie - the future designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr. and makes wonderful use of the Avoca and Royal Portrush and Royal County Down.” parkland played through mature woodland parkland challenge designed by the great designer of the likes of Augusta National, Longford, Leitrim and Roscommon

64 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 65 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST may be sparse in terms of population, but features One of Irish some nice courses, golf’s historic including Longford Golf Club, which clubs, Cork Golf Club is ideally located in the heart of was formed in 1888 by the ‘Lakelands and Inland prominent Cork business- Waterways’ men undergoing a major re- region, making it a perfect place for design by Dr Alister MacKen- those with a love of water sports. zie - the future designer of There is great golf on offer at tracks Augusta National, Cypress such as Strokestown, Castlerea, Boyle and Point, Royal Melbourne Ballaghaderreen or and Pasatiempo - in more demanding 18-hole tests such as Carrick-on- 1926. Shannon, Roscommon or Athlone on the shores of Lough Ree. Head up to Cavan and you will meet ‘The Lakeland County’ with its 365 lakes, one for each day of the year. Lakes provide a prominent feature on one of the best parklands in Ireland, Slieve Russell. Set in 300 acres, this fantastic venue has been designed with a certain boldness and sureness of instinct, which has resulted in the development of a truly strategic test. Home to amateur star , the country resort hotel is popular with golf groups. Excellent parklands dot the Cavan and neighbouring Monaghan area, including Golf Club, Radisson Blu Farnham Estate, Nuremore Hotel and Rossmore Golf Club, and is now hugely popular with golfers with the creation of Concra Golf Club in Castleblayney by uncle and nephew, Christy O’Connor Jnr and Christy O’Connor Snr. This strikingly beautiful course features a brilliant landscape that has been carefully sculpted around Lough Muckno. That leaves us with the counties neighbouring Dublin to the north and east, where some of the best golf courses in the land are to be played from County Louth to The K Club to Killeen Castle. The peaceful links at County Louth Golf Club, Baltray, for example, is a snapshot of the way golf should be. The serene atmosphere gives way to towering dunes, treacherous rough and long holes that will make use of every club in the bag. Host of the East of Ireland Championship, it was ROSSLARE GOLF CLUB the course where Shane Lowry famously won the Irish Open an amateur. It regularly features in lists of the top 10 courses in Ireland. home to a magnificent Jack Nicklaus designed which is believed to be the oldest golf club in Nearby Seapoint Golf Club is another golf course, which hosted the 2011 Solheim the country. cleverly designed links course that will test Cup. With beautiful views of the Co Meath Then there is the most famous club of them every golf. Host of the 2010 and 2011 Irish countryside throughout the 600-acre estate, all in the county, the prestigious Kildare Club, PGA Championships, it includes one of the players will never come bored of the golfing otherwise known as The K Club, a five-star best finishing stretches in links golf. test that is provided. hotel and venue that has hosted many great Elsewhere in Louth there is good golf to From one top parkland to another, from one tournaments, from the Irish Open to the be had at Greenore, Ardee and Dundalk castle demesne to another, Carton House is to the 2006 Ryder Cup. It Golf Club, which offers views of the Cooley well worth a visit, where you tee off the first in features the Smurfit Course, designed with dune- and Mourne Mountains, the Irish Sea and and, with any luck, your drive type mounding, and the Palmer Course, which Dundalk Bay. should land in on the other displays all the daring risk-and-reward shot Neighbouring Meath includes another side of the River Rye. It is home to the Golfing selection of its late designer, Arnold Palmer. Rory quality links test in Laytown & Bettystown, Union of Ireland and features two great McIlroy’s heroic shots to win the 2016 Dubai as well as parkland classics like Royal Tara, courses, the Montgomerie and the O’Meara. Duty Free Irish Open showcased the finish at the County Meath Golf Club and two courses Kildare is a treasure trove of golf courses Palmer course to the world, which is one of the at Headfort Golf Club, the Old and the from Dunmurry Springs to Moyvalley to most dramatic parkland finishes that you will New Course. It also includes Killeen Castle, Palmerstown to Royal Curragh Golf Club, play anywhere on the planet. CORK GOLF CLUB WICKLOW GOLF CLUB

66 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 67 MAKE LASTING MEMORIES AT THE K CLUB

Bed & Breakfast from €269.00 per night Kids Stay Free when sharing with parents

M ke it a t ip of a lif i e wi h lu u i us f i y i d y a d i , di i g to suit ev y e a d d ul e p i s t y w ’t e si y f g . A ivi i s include falconry, fishing, horse riding, golf & so much more.

K Y UR N T FA ILY E I NCE N Contact Reservations at: +353 (0) 1 601 7200 : s s k ub.i | W b: w .k ub.i

ROCK OF CASHEL CO. TIPPERARY The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most spectacular historic sites. Spectacular historic sites with an enclosure containing a complete round tower, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral and the finest 12th-century Romanesque chapel in Ireland. www.heritageireland.ie/en/south-east/rockofcashel NEWGRANGE BRÚ NA BÓINNE CO. MEATH Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre interprets the Neolithic monuments of Newgrange, and Dowth. Being built in the Neolithic period, Newgrange itself is older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. www.newgrange.com

WICKLOW GAOL CO. WICKLOW Wicklow’s Historic Gaol is one of Ireland’s most interactive experiences. Be transported back in time and meet some of the most notorious characters to have walked the floors of this dramatic and historic building. www.wicklowshistoricgaol.com

THE CO. WESTMEATH The Hill of Uisneach is Ireland’s ‘mythological and sacred’ centre where the festival of fires, Bealtaine, is celebrated IRELAND’S RYDER CUP VENUE every year to welcome the summer season. It is located, geographically, right in the centre of Ireland. www.uisneach.ie Featuring Two Arnold Palmer designed Championship Golf Courses FETHARD HORSE COUNTRY THE EXPERIENCE SMITHWICK’S EXPERIENCE CO. TIPPERARY Walk in the Footsteps of Champions at The K Club, An interactive exhibition which aims to showcase the link CO. KILKENNY between the people, the land and horse in the surrounding the Home of the 2006 Ryder Cup, 2016 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Discover the brew that took area. Discover the rich culture and heritage in this high-spec 300 years to perfect. An museum. & 13 European Opens. interactive journey through www.fhcexperience.ie over 300 years of history behind Ireland’s most Book your next golf experience now by contacting Reservations on popular ale and find out it is made. Tel: +353 1 6017 200 www.smithwicksexperience. com email: [email protected] web: www.kclub.ie

HOOK LIGHTHOUSE CO. WEXFORD Situated on the tip of the in Wexford, experience 800 years of lighthouse keeping at . It is one of the oldest working and fully TULLAMORE operational lighthouse in the world! D.E.W. – IRISH www.hookheritage.ie WHISKEY EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCES AND ATTRACTIONS CO. OFFALY Set in the heart of Ireland, the Old Bonded Warehouse sits on the banks of Tullamore’s Grand Canal. For whiskey explorers eager to learn about the history and craft of the world-renowned Tullamore D.E.W. www.tullamoredew.com

68 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST

For special offers go to www.ireland.com/golf

A-Z GOLF COURSES IN IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST

1. Abbeyleix 58. 115. Navan 143. St. Helen’s Bay 2. Ardee 59. 116. Nenagh 144. Strokestown 3. Arklow 60. Douglas 117. New Forest 145. Summerhill 4. Ashbourne 61. Druid’s Glen 118. New Ross 146. Tara Glen 5. Athlone 62. Druid’s Heath 119. Newbridge 147. Templemore 6. Athy 63. Dundalk 120. Nuremore 148. The Heath 7. Ballaghaderreen 64. Dundrum House 121. Old Conna 149. The Heritage 8. Ballinastoe 65. Dungarvan 122. Palmerstown Stud 150. The K Club 9. Ballinlough Castle 66. Dunmore East 123. Portarlington 10. Ballykisteen 67. Dunmurry Springs 124. Portlaoise 151. Thurles 11. Ballykisteen Hotel 68. 125. Powerscourt 152. Tipperary & Golf Resort 69. Edenderry 126. Raffeen Creek 153. 12. Ballymoney 70. Enniscorthy 127. Rathcore 154. Tramore 13. Baltinglass 71. Esker Hills 128. Rathdowney 155. Tulfarris 14. Bellewstown 72. European 129. Rathsallagh 156. Tullamore Emyvale 15. Belturbet 73. Faithlegg 130. Ringenane 157. Virginia 18 Monaghan 134 16. Birr 74. Farnham Estate 131. Roscommon Derrylin 158. Water Rock Clones Swanlinbar 17. Black Bush 75. 132. Roscrea Ballyconnell 41 159. Waterford Belturbet 49Castleblayney 15, 44, 140 18. Blacklion 76. Fernhill 133. Rosslare Cootehill 160. Waterford Castle Carlingford85 Iniskeen Dundalk 19. Blainroe 77. Fota Island 134. Rossmore Shercock 102 Boyle 74 Cavan 120Carrickmacross 63 161. West Waterford 23 20. Blessington Lakes 78. Frankfield 135. Roundwood 26 162. Wexford 7 2 21. Bodenstown 79. Glasson 136. Royal Tara Dunleer 54,Virginia 157 Ardee 163. Wicklow Granard 22. Borris 80. Glebe 137. Scarke 35Castlerea 144Strokestown 46, 139, 153 164. Williamstown Longford Kells87, 115 23. Boyle 81. Glen of the Downs 138. Seafield 45 Edgeworthstown Castlepollard Roscommon Lanesborough 24. Bray 82. 139. Seapoint 165. Woodbrook 131 9, 57 136 14, 97 47 142 25. Bunclody 83. Goldcoast 140. Slieve Russell 166. Woodenbridge Ballymahon 17, 93 Mullingar 80, 95 113 4 26. Cabra Castle 84. Gowran Park 141. Slievenamon 167. Woodlands 79 145 Kinnegad 27. Cahir Park 85. Greenore 5 Athlone 142. South Meath 168. 105, 108 117 89, 96, 112 Moate Kilbeggan 21, 31, 36 28. Callan 86. Greystones Edenderry69, 88 Dublin 71 32 167 37, 40, 53, 92 29. Carlow 87. Headfort Clonmacnoise 156Tullamore 130 103, 122, 150 Droichead Nua 30. Carrick-on-suir 88. Highfield 67, 119,(Newbridge) 127 121, 125, 165 Banagher Kilcormac Portarlington 24, 81 123 Kildare39, 55, 114 31. Carton House 89. Kilcock 20 16 Birr 149 8, 38, 56, 58, 90 148 155 61, 62, 86, 135 32. Castle Barna 90. Kilcoole Stradbally Terryglass Portlaoise 129 Ashford 111, 124 6 Wicklow 33. Castlecomer 91. Kilkenny Athy 82 163 Rathdrum Roscrea 19 34. Castlemartyr 92. Killeen Dromineer Abbeyleix 13 Baltinglass 1 100 116 Avoca 72 Nenagh Durrow 29, 94 166 35. Castlerea 93. Killeen Castle 128, 132 Carlow Tullow Arklow Templemore147 33 3 Castlecomer 98 36. Castlewarden 94. Killerig 50, 109 Urlingford 37. Celbridge Elmhall 95. Knightsbrook 12, 138,Gorey 146 Thurles 151 Bagenalstown 25 Bunclody Courtown Kilkenny91 84 38. Charlesland 96. Knockanally Holycross 22 Ferns 39. Cill Dara 97. Laytown & Callan Graiguenamanagh

10, 11, 64 Cashel Enniscorthy 28 Thomastown 70 40. Bettystown Tipperary 152 107, 110 New Ross 41. Clones 98. Hills Clonmel Cahir 118, 137 Carrick-on-Suir 27, 42, 43, 141 162Wexford 42. Clonmel 99. Lismore 30 159 Ballyhack Wellington 133Rosslare 104 Waterford Bridge 43. Clonmel Golf Club 100. Macreddin 160 73 Fethard Rosslare Harbour 143 59 Passage East 164 Kilmore Quay 44. Co Cavan 101. Mahon Tramore 66Dunmore East Fermoy75 Lismore99 Cappoquin 154 45. Co Longford 102. Mannan Castle 65, 83,Dungarvan 161 46. Co Louth 103. Millicent Watergrasshill 68, 77, 158 47. Co Meath 104. Mitchelstown Youghal 168 Ardmore 34, 48,Midleton 52, 101 Cork 51 48. 105. Moate 60, 76,Cobh 78, 106 Ballycotton 49. Concra Wood 106. Monkstown Carrigaline126 50. Coollattin 107. Mount Juliet 51. Cork 108. Mount Temple 52. Courtown 109. Mount Wolseley 53. Craddockstown 110. Mountain View 54. Crover House 111. Mountrath 55. Curragh 112. Moyvalley 56. Delgany 113. Mullingar 57. Castle 114. Naas More information on Ireland’s Ancient East courses at www.ireland.com/golf

70 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide DRUIDS HEATH GOLF CLUB No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST 18

Stay & play

5 STAR RESORT • 103 LUXURY BEDROOMS • 42 LODGES

HEALTH CLUB & SPA • BUGGY HIRE • 30 MINUTES FROM

CORK AIRPORT • CLUB HIRE • PGA TUITION

Castlemartyr Resort is an impressive 5 Star Resort featuring 103 luxury guest rooms, 42 self catering lodges, offering 4 dining options, an award winning Spa and Leisure centre and the Links Golf Club has an 18-hole 6,728 yd, Par 72, unique inland links style course, designed by the world renowned golf course architect Ron Kirby. Here you will find a captivating tapestry of picturesque landscapes, intertwined with a beautifully restored 18th Century that forms the entrance to the main hotel.

+353 021 421 9001 | [email protected] | WWW.CASTLEMARTYRRESORT.IE

72 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST 18

Knightsbrook Golf Resort Course designed by the Late Christy O’ Connor Jnr

• Located in the heart of the Boyne Valley, 40 minutes from Dublin Airport • 131 Contemporary Executive Style Bedrooms • 28 Self Catering Courtyard Homes • Fully Equipped Health Club • Award Winning River Spa

Our 2018 & 2019 Society Residential Packages start from €145 per person sharing for Dinner, Bed & Breakfast & a Round of Golf

Green Fees start from €35

POWERSCOURT Knightsbrook Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Dublin Road, Trim, Co. Meath T: +353 46 9482100 E: [email protected] W: www.knightsbrook.com 74 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST 18

‘Discover the Glasson Experience’ TREAT YOURSELVES TO A GAME/STAY AT ONE OF IRELAND’S MOST SCENIC & ENJOYABLE GOLF RESORTS

Superb Golf Academy including Short Game area & 12 Bay Driving Range

Just over 1 Hour from both Dublin and Galway

NEW FOREST BOOK NOW! T: (090) 6485120 E: [email protected] W: www.glassoncountryhouse.ie 76 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST 18

WORLD AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS IRELAND 2018

At Carton House, Maynooth, County Kildare

two inspiring courses, (WOMEN) one spectacular location 29th AUGUST – 1st SEPTEMBER 2018 Excellent online off ers available At Powerscourt Golf Club, we welcome groups and societies 7 days a week (MEN) Tullamore Golf Club is an 18 hole championship course ranked one of the top 30 Parkland courses, the course catering from 8 - 180. With two championship courses and outstanding clubhouse 5 th – 8th SEPTEMBER 2018 has been the venue for many championships including the GUI Cups & Shields finals. Boasting manicured facilities Powerscourt is an exceptional venue for any society or corporate event. fairways, well contoured greens and several doglegs encompassed with lakes and very mature trees which come into play throughout the course. It is a challenging course that demands concentration and will provide Phone: 01 204 6033 Email: [email protected] W: www.watc2018.ie a memorable experience for golfers of all handicaps, making it a perfect venue for any society outing. www.powerscourtgolfclub.com E: [email protected] For bookings and enquiries call 01 204 6033 Tullamore Golf Club, Brookfield, Tullamore Co. Offaly POWERSCOURT GOLF CLUB, ENNISKERRY, KILLEEN CASTLE HOSTED BY THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION T: +353 (0)57 932 1439 E: [email protected] W: www.tullamoregolfclub.ie AND THE GOLFING UNION OF IRELAND

78 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide

Tullamore QP 2018.indd 1 19/12/2017 10:38 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST 18 PORTSALON GOLF CLUB

RANKED TOP 25 Golf Courses in Ireland by Golf Digest

“I am delighted to see the progress on the Links at Portsalon. Set along the scenic and beautiful Donegal coastline, it is simply a great place to play golf.” Paul McGinley

Membership Ongoing course One of the oldest applications improvements with links courses in the Fanad, Co.Donegal available in all Paul McGinley and a founder T: 074 - 915 9459 categories for 2018 Course Design member of the GUI www.portsalongolfclub.com

BRAY GOLF CLUB

Bray Golf Club, the first stop for golf in Wicklow, is a magnificent USGA- standard parkland course, situated between and the Sugar Loaf Mountain with magnificent views of Killiney Bay and the Wicklow Moun- tains. Described as “spectacular in every aspect”, Bray combines stunning scenery with a classic layout. A “Must Play” golf course.

Greystones Road, Bray Co Wicklow T: 01-276-3200 | E: [email protected] www.braygolfclub.com

The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 81 No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST 18

Concra Wood… Seeing is believing!

Concra Wood is a hidden gem conveniently located between Dublin and Belfast. Draped lazily around the shores of Lough Muckno, in Castleblayney, it is one of Ireland’s most beautiful and evocative settings for golf. The shape and flow of the golf course are perfectly complemented by the drumlins that roll across the countryside. This easy rhythm adds to the beauty and challenge of the course; and with 11 holes luring you to the waters edge, it promises a stern and beautiful test of golf whatever your ability.

For all golfing enquiries: Address: Dundalk Road, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Call: 042 9749485 Email: [email protected] Web: www.concrawood.ie Just 15 minutes off Jct. 17 on the M1 at Dundalk, and 1 hour from Dublin and Belfast

Macreddin Golf Club Designed by Ryder cup winning captain Paul McGinley

“One of the most Unique parkland courses in Ireland”

• Largest fleet of buggies in Ireland Top 10 Sunday Times • 94 Golf Digest • 42 Golf World UK • Open for societies & green fee bookings 7 days Meandering fairways, free flowing brooks, yellow blooms of Gorse and • Excellent society rates statuesque Pines are synonymous with Macreddin Golf Club. Designed by Ryder • Resident Pro Paul Masterson Cup winning Captain Paul McGinley. Paul has created a challenge for all golfers. Rated 9th best course in Ireland by the Sunday Times. Situated adjacent to • Full size driving range the four star Brooklodge Hotel and Wells Spa in an area of outstanding natural • Dedicated short game practice beauty in the heart of the Wicklow countryside. Green Fees from €40 - €50. area including putting green GOLF BY McGINLEY MOUNT JULIET Macreddin Village, Aughrim, Co Wicklow | Phone: 0402 36999 | Email: [email protected] www.macreddingolfclub.com

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IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST 18

Club listings in Ireland’s Ancient East

Abbeyleix Concra Wood Dundrum House Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix, Co Laois Dundalk Road, Concra, Castleblayney, Cashel, Co Tipperary www.abbeyleixgolfclub.ie Co Monaghan www.dundrumhousehotel.com [email protected] www.concrawood.ie [email protected] 00 353 (0) 57 873 1450 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 62 71116 00 353 (0) 42 974 9485 Ardee Dungarvan Townparks, Ardee, Co Louth Coollattin Knocknagranagh, Dungarvan, www.ardeegolfclub.com Coollattin, Shillelagh, Co Wicklow Co Waterford [email protected] www.coollattingolfclub.com www.dungarvangolfclub.com 00 353 (0) 41 685 7472 [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 53 942 9125 Arklow 00 353 (0) 58 41605 Abbeylands, Arklow, Co Wicklow Cork Dunmore East www.arklowgolflinks.com Little Island, Co Cork Dunmore East, Co Waterford [email protected] www.corkgolfclub.ie www.dunmoreeastgolfclub.ie 00 353 (0) 40 232492 [email protected] [email protected] Ashbourne 00 353 (0) 21 435 3451 00 353 (0) 51 383151 Archerstown, Ashbourne, Co Meath Courtown www.ashbournegolfclub.ie Dunmurry Springs Kiltennel, Gorey, Co Wexford Dunmurry Hill, Kildare Town, Co Kildare [email protected] www.courtowngolfclub.com www.dunmurrysprings.ie 00 353 (0) 1 835 2005 [email protected] [email protected] Athlone 00 353 (0) 53 942 5166 00 353 (0) 45 531 400 Hodson Bay, Athlone, Co Roscommon Craddockstown www.athlonegolfclub.ie East Cork Blessington Road, Naas, Co Kildare [email protected] Gortacrue, Midleton, Co Cork www.craddockstown.com 00 353 (0) 90 649 2073 www.eastcorkgolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] Athy 00 353 (0) 45 897610 00 353 (0) 21 463 1687 Geraldine, Athy, Co Kildare www.athygolfclub.com Crover House Edenderry Lough Sheelin, Mountnugent, Co Cavan [email protected] Kishawanny, Edenderry, Co Offaly www.croverhousehotel.ie 00 353 (0) 59 863 1729 www.edenderrygolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 49 854 0356 Ballaghaderreen 00 353 (0) 46 973 1072 Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon www.ballaghaderreengolfclub.com Curragh Enniscorthy The Curragh, Co Kildare [email protected] Knockmarshall, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford www.curraghgolf.com 00 353 (0) 94 986 0295 www.enniscorthygc.ie [email protected] [email protected] Ballinastoe 00 353 (0) 45 441 238 00 353 (0) 53 923 3191 Ballinastoe, Roundwood, Co Wicklow www.ballinastoegolfclub.com Delgany Esker Hills Delgany, Co Wicklow [email protected] Ballykilmurray, Tullamore, Co Offaly www.delganygolfclub.com 00 353 (0) 1 281 8480 www.eskerhillsgolf.com [email protected] [email protected] Ballinlough Castle 00 353 (0) 1 2874536 Clonmellon, Co Westmeath 00 353 (0) 57 935 5999 www.ballinloughcastle.com CARTON HOUSE Delvin Castle European [email protected] Clonyn, Delvin, Co Westmeath Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow 00 353 (0) 46 943 3760 www.delvincastlegolf.com www.theeuropeanclub.com Black Bush Boyle Carrick-on-suir Castlewarden Clonmel Golf Club [email protected] Ballykisteen [email protected] Thomastown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath Knockadoobrusna, Boyle, Co Roscommon Garravoone, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary Castlewarden, , Co Kildare Mountain Rd, Clonmel, Co Tipperary 00 353 (0) 44 966 4315 Ballykisteen, Co Tipperary 00 353 (0) 404 47415 [email protected] www.castlewardengolfclub.ie www.ballykisteengolfclub.com www.blackbushgolfclub.ie www.carrickgolfclub.com 00 353 (0)52 6124050 00 353 (0) 71 966 2594 [email protected] Djouce [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Faithlegg 00 353 (0) 1 458 9254 Roundwood, Co Wicklow 00 353 (0) 62 32117 00 353 (0) 1 825 0021 Bray 00 353 (0) 51 640047 Co Cavan www.djoucegolfclub.com Faithlegg, Co Waterford Greystones Road, Bray, Co Wicklow Celbridge Elmhall Arnmore House, Drumelis, Cavan [email protected] www.faithlegggolfclub.com [email protected] Ballykisteen Hotel & Golf Resort Blacklion www.braygolfclub.com Carton House Hazelhatch, Celbridge, Co Kildare www.cavangolf.ie 00 353 (0) 1 281 8585 Limerick Junction, Co Tipperary 00 353 (0) 51 380587 Toam, Blacklion, Co Cavan [email protected] Maynooth, Co Kildare [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.blackliongolf.com 00 353 (0) 1 276 3200 www.cartonhouse.com 00 353 (0) 1 628 8208 Doneraile 00 353 (0) 62 33333 00 353 (0) 49 433 1541 Farnham Estate [email protected] [email protected] Horseclose, Doneraile, Co Cork Bunclody Charlesland www.donerailegolfclub.com Farnham Estate, Cavan, Co Cavan Ballymoney 00 353 (0) 71 985 3024 00 353 (0) 1 5052000 Co Longford Carrigduff, Bunclody, Co Wexford Charlesland, Greystones, Co Wicklow [email protected] www.farnhamestategolf.com Ballymoney, Gorey, Co Wexford www.bunclodygfc.ie www.charlesland.com Glack, Dublin Road, Longford 00 353 (0) 22 24137 [email protected] www.ballymoneygolfclub.ie Blainroe [email protected] Castle Barna [email protected] www.countylongfordgolfclub.com 00 353 (0) 49 432 6482 [email protected] Blainroe, Co Wicklow Castlebarnagh, Daingean, Co Offaly 00 353 (0) 53 937 4444 00 353 (0) 1 2878200 [email protected] Douglas 00 353 (0) 53 942 1976 www.blainroe.com www.castlebarna.ie Fermoy 00 353 (0) 43 334 6310 Maryborough Hill, Douglas, Cork [email protected] Cabra Castle [email protected] Cill Dara www.douglasgolfclub.ie Corrin Hill, Fermoy, Co Cork Baltinglass Kingscourt, Co Cavan Little Curragh, Kildare, Co Kildare 00 353 (0) 404 68168 00 353 (0) 57 9353384 [email protected] www.fermoygolfclub.ie Baltinglass, Co Wicklow www.cabracastle.com www.cilldaragolfclub.com Co Louth 00 353 (0) 21 489 5297 [email protected] www.baltinglassgolfclub.ie Blessington Lakes [email protected] Castlecomer [email protected] Baltray, Drogheda, Co Louth 00 353 (0) 25 32694 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 42 966 7030 00 353 (0) 45 521295 www.countylouthgolfclub.com Druid’s Glen 00 353 (0) 59 648 1350 Baltyboys, Blessington, Co Wicklow Drumgoole, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny reservations@ Woodstock House, Fernhill www.blessingtonlakesgolfclub.com Cahir Park www.castlecomergolf.ie Clane countylouthgolfclub.com Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow , Cork Bellewstown [email protected] Kilcommon, Cahir, Co Tipperary [email protected] 1 College Road, Clane, Co Kildare www.druidsglenresort.com www.fernhillcountryclub.com Bellewstown, Drogheda, Co Meath www.cahirparkgolfclub.com www.clanegolfclub.ie 00 353 (0) 41 988 1530 00 353 (0) 45 867146 00 353 (0) 56 444 1139 [email protected] [email protected] www.bellewstowngolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 287 0800 00 353 (0) 21 437 2226 [email protected] Bodenstown 00 353 (0) 52 7441474 Castlemartyr 00 353 (0) 87 829 4299 Co Meath 00 353 (0) 41 988 2757 Sallins, Co Kildare Callan Castlemartyr, Co Cork Clones Newtownmoynagh, Trim, Co Meath Druid’s Heath Fota Island www.countymeathgolfclubtrim.ie Belturbet www.bodenstown.com Geraldine, Callan, Co Kilkenny www.castlemartyrresort.ie Hilton Park, Clones, Co Monaghan Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow Fota Island, Co Cork Erne Hill, Belturbet, Co Cavan [email protected] www.callangolfclub.com [email protected] www.clonesgolfclub.com [email protected] www.druidsglenresort.com www.fotaisland.ie [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 45 897096 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 21 421 9001 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 46 943 1463 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 49 952 2287 00 353 (0) 56 7725136 00 353 (0) 47 56017 00 353 (0) 1 287 0800 00 353 (0) 21 4883700 Cobh Birr Borris Carlow Castlerea Clonmel Dundalk Frankfield Deerpark, Borris, Co Carlow Clonalis, Castlerea, Co Roscommon Marino, Carrigaloe, Cobh, Co Cork The Glenns, Birr, Co Offaly Deerpark, Carlow, Co Carlow Lyreanearla, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Blackrock, Dundalk, Co Louth Frankfield, Douglas, Co Cork www.birrgolfclub.ie www.borrisgolfclub.ie www.carlowgolfclub.ie www.castlereagolfclub.com www.clonmelgolfclub.com www.cobhgolfclub.ie www.dundalkgolfclub.ie www.frankfieldgolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 57 912 0082 00 353 (0) 59 977 3310 00 353 (0) 59 9131695 00 353 (0) 94 962 0068 00 353 (0) 52 612 4050 00 353 (0) 21 481 2399 00 353 (0)42 932 1731 00 353 (0) 21 4363124

84 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 85 IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST

No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST 18

Club listings in Ireland’s Ancient East

Glasson Killerig Mount Wolseley Portlaoise Glasson, Athlone, Co Westmeath Killerig, Co Carlow Mount Wolseley Hotel, Tullow, Co Carlow Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois www.glassongolfhotel.ie www.killerig-golf.ie www.mountwolseley.ie www.portlaoisegolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 90 648 5120 00 353 (0) 59 916 3000 00 353 (0) 59 918 0100 00 353 (0) 57 866 1557 Glebe Knightsbrook Mountain View Powerscourt Dunlever, Trim, Co Meath Trim, Co Meath Kiltorcan, Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny Enniskerry, Co Wicklow www.glebegolfclub.com www.knightsbrook.com www.mviewgolf.com www.powerscourt.ie [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 46 943 1926 00 353 (0) 46 948 2100 00 353 (0) 56 776 8122 00 353 (0) 1 204 6033 Glen of the Downs Knockanally Mountrath Raffeen Creek , Co Cork Coolnaskeagh, Delgany, Co Wicklow Ovidstown, Donadea, Naas, Co Kildare Knockanina, Mountrath, Co Laois www.raffeencreekgolfclub.com www.glenofthedowns.com www.knockanally.com www.mountrathgolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 45 869671 00 353 (0) 21 437 8430 00 353 (0) 1 287 6240 00 353 (0) 57 873 2558 Laytown & Bettystown Moyvalley Rathcore Glenmalure Rathcore, Enfield, Co Meath Bettystown, Co Meath Balyna Estate, Moyvalley, Co Kildare Greenane, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow rathcoregolfandcountryclub.com www.landb.ie www.moyvalleygolfclub.com www.glenmalure.com/golfclub [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 404 46679 00 353 (0) 46 954 1855 00 353 (0) 41 982 7170 00 353 (0) 46 954 8080 Goldcoast Leinster Hills Rathdowney Ballinacourty, Dungarvan, Co Waterford Mullingar Graiguealug, Nurney, Co Carlow Coulnaboul West, Rathdowney, Co Laois www.goldcoastgolfclub.com Belvedere, Mullingar, Co Westmeath www.leinsterhillsgolf.com www.rathdowneygolfclub.com [email protected] www.mullingargolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 58 44055 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 505 46170 00 353 (0) 59 914 8974 00 353 (0) 44 934 8366 Gowran Park Rathsallagh Lismore Naas Gowran, Co Kilkenny Ballyin, Lismore, Co Waterford Rathsallagh, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow www.gowranpark.ie Kerdiffstown, Naas, Co Kildare www.rathsallagh.com www.lismoregolf.org www.naasgolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 45 403316 00 353 (0) 56 772 6699 00 353 (0) 58 54026 00 353 (0) 45 897509 Greenore Macreddin Ringenane Navan Ringenane, Belgooly, Kinsale, Co Cork Greenore, Co Louth Macreddin Village, Aughrim, Co Wicklow Proudstown, Navan, Co Meath www.ringenanegolfclub.com www.greenoregolfclub.com www.macreddingolfclub.com www.navangolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 21 4772197 MACREDDIN 00 353 (0) 42 937 3212 00 353 (0) 402 36999 00 353 (0) 46 907 2888 Greystones Mahon Roscommon Nenagh Mote Park, Roscommon Town, Whitshed Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow Cloverhill, Blackrock, Co Cork Beechwood, Nenagh, Co Tipperary Co Roscommon www.greystonesgc.com www.mahongolfclub.com Seapoint Tara Glen Tramore West Waterford www.nenaghgolfclub.com www.roscommongolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] Termonfeckin, Co Louth Ballymoney, Co Wexford Newtown, Tramore, Co Waterford Dungarvan, Co Waterford [email protected] [email protected] www.westwaterfordgolf.com 00 353 (0) 1 287 4136 00 353 (0) 21 429 2212 www.seapointgolflinks.com www.taraglen.ie 00 353 (0) 67 31476 00 353 (0) 90 662 6382 www.tramoregolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Headfort Mannan Castle 00 353 (0) 53 942 5413 00 353 (0) 58 43216 New Forest Roscrea 00 353 (0) 41 982 2333 00 353 (0) 51 386170 Navan Road, Kells, Co Meath Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan Higginstown, Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath Derryvale, Dublin Road, Wexford www.headfortgolfclub.ie www.mannancastlegolfclub.ie Templemore www.newforest.ie Roscrea,Co Tipperary Slieve Russell Manna South, Templemore, Tulfarris Mulgannon, Wexford [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.roscreagolfclub.ie Cranaghan, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan Blessington Lakes, Blessington, www.wexfordgolfclub.ie 00 353 (0) 42 966 3308 Co Tipperary 00 353 (0) 46 924 0146 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 44 922 1100 www.slieverussellgolf.ie www.templemoregolfclub.ie Co Wicklow [email protected] 00 353 (0) 505 21130 00 353 (0) 53 914 2238 Millicent [email protected] [email protected] www.tulfarrishotel.com Highfield New Ross Carbury, Co Kildare Millicent Road, Clane, Co Kildare 00 353 (0) 49 952 5090 00 353 (0) 504 31400 [email protected] Tinneranny, New Ross, Co Wexford Rosslare Wicklow www.millicentgolfclub.com www.highfield-golf.ie Rosslare, Co Wexford 00 353 (0) 4586 7609 Dunbur Road, Wicklow, Co Wicklow [email protected] www.newrossgolfclub.ie Slievenamon The Heath [email protected] [email protected] www.rosslaregolf.com The Heath, Portlaoise, Co Laois www.wicklowgolfclub.ie 00 353 (0) 45 893279 Clonacody, Lisronaghm Clonmel, Tullamore 00 353 (0) 46 973 1021 00 353 (0) 51 421433 [email protected] www.theheathgc.ie [email protected] Co Tipperary Brookfield, Tullamore, Co Offaly Mitchelstown 00 353 (0) 53 913 2203 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 404 67379 Kilcock www.slievenamongolfclub.com www.tullamoregolfclub.ie Gurrane, Co Cork Newbridge 00 353 (0) 57 864 6533 Gallow, Kilcock, Co Meath Rossmore [email protected] Williamstown www.mitchelstown-golf.com Barrettstown, Newbridge, Co Kildare [email protected] www.kilcockgolfclub.ie Cootehill Road, Monaghan Williamstown, Airport Road, Waterford www.newbridgegolfclub.com 00 353 (0) 52 613 2213 The Heritage 00 353 (0) 57 932 1439 [email protected] www.rossmoregolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] Killenard, Co Laois [email protected] 00 353 (0) 25 24072 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 51 853131 00 353 (0)1 628 7592 00 353 (0) 45 486110 South Meath www.theheritage.com Virginia 00 353 (0) 47 81316 Moate Longwood Road, Trim, Co Meath [email protected] Park Hotel, Virginia, Co Cavan Kilcoole Nuremore 00 353 (0) 57 864 5500 Woodbrook Aghanargit, Moate, Co Westmeath Roundwood www.southmeathgolf.com www.virginiagolfclub.ie Dublin Road, Bray, Co Wicklow Newcastle Road, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan www.moategolfclub.ie [email protected] www.kilcoolegolfclub.com Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow The K Club [email protected] www.woodbrook.ie [email protected] www.nuremore.com [email protected] www.roundwoodgolf.com 00 353 (0) 46 943 1471 Straffan, Co Kildare 00 353 (0) 49 854 0222 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 90 648 1271 [email protected] [email protected] www.kclub.ie 00 353 (0) 1 282 4799 00 353 (0)1 287 2066 00 353 (0) 42 966 1438 00 353 (0) 1 281 8488 St. Helen’s Bay Water Rock Monkstown [email protected] Kilkenny Kilrane, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford 00 353 (0) 1 601 7200 Water Rock, Midleton, Co Cork Woodenbridge Parkgarriff, Monkstown, Co Cork Old Conna Royal Tara Vale of Avoca, Woodenbridge, Arklow, Glendine, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny Ferndale Road, Bray, Co Wicklow www.sthelensbay.com www.waterrockgolfcourse.com www.monkstowngolfclub.com Bellinter, Navan, Co Meath Thurles Co Wicklow www.kilkennygolfclub.com www.oldconna.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.royaltaragolfclub.com Turtulla, Thurles, Co Tipperary www.woodenbridge.ie [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 53 913 3234 00 353 (0) 21 484 1376 [email protected] www.thurlesgolfclub.com 00 353 (0) 21 461 3499 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 56 776 5400 00 353 (0) 1 282 6055 00 353 (0) 46 902 5508 00 353 (0) 402 35202 [email protected] Waterford Mount Juliet Strokestown 00 353 (0) 504 21983 Killeen Mount Juliet, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny Palmerstown Stud Scarke Bumlin, Strokestown, Co Roscommon Newrath, Waterford Woodlands Kill, Naas, Co Kildare www.mountjuliet.ie Johnstown, Naas, Co Kildare Scarke, New Ross, Co Wexford www.strokestowngolfclub.com Tipperary www.waterfordgolfclub.com Cooleragh, Coill Dubh, Naas, Co Kildare www.killeengolf.com www.palmerstownhouse.com [email protected] www.scarkegolf.com [email protected] Rathanny, Tipperary, Co Tipperary So [email protected] www.woodlandsgolf.org [email protected] 00 353 (0) 56 777 3071 [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 71 963 3660 www.tipperarygolfclub.com 00 353 (0) 51 876748 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 45 866 003 00 353 (0) 45 906901 00 353 (0) 87 237 4444 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 45 860777 Mount Temple Summerhill 00 353 (0) 62 51119 Waterford Castle Killeen Castle Mount Temple Village, Moate, Portarlington Seafield Youghal Agher, Rathmolyon, Co Meath The Island, Ballinakill, Waterford Dunsany, Co Meath Co Westmeath Garryhinch, Portarlington, Co Laois Ballymoney, Gorey, Co Wexford Townley Hall Golf Links Road, Youghal, Co Cork www.killeencastle.com www.mounttemplegolfclub.com www.portarlingtongolf.com www.seafieldhotel.com/golf www.summerhillgolfclub.com Tullyallen, Drogheda, Co Louth www.waterfordcastlegolfclub.ie www.youghalgolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 1 689 3000 00 353 (0) 90 648 1841 00 353 (0) 57 862 3115 00 353 (0) 53 942 4777 00 353 (0) 46 955 7587 00 353 (0) 41 984 2229 00 353 (0) 51 871633 00 353 (0) 24 92787

86 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 87 No. of rooms Leisure centre Spa facilities Conference Rooms Golf on site Tennis Wi-Fi Parking Fishing Horse Riding IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST

ROYAL TARA GOLF CLUB

Cork Golf Club has undergone a major renovation programme under the watchful eye of Hawtree Ltd Course Architects, which has further enhanced the reputation of this Alister MacKenzie designed course.

Come, join us, play and experience the hospitality and the welcome that Royal Tara Golf Club has to offer

Ranked in Ireland’s Top 100 Golf Courses Book your 2018 day at Royal Tara Golf Club and we will sponsor the “Longest Drive” and “Nearest the pin” competition prizes

For 2018 we have many competitive offers that are tailored to meet the needs of both small groups and large corporate events See our website for online booking and special offers

For group rates call Declan on 00 353 46 9025508 [email protected] | www.royaltaragolfclub.com

VENTRY BAY Check out our club promotional video on www.royaltaragolfclub.com and our course flyover on the FREE Golf Birdie APP

88 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide POWERSCOURT HOUSE GARDENS

WEST WATERFORD GOLF CLUB

DUNGARVAN, CO WATERFORD

Rathsallagh Golf Club has recently been voted 27th Best Parkland Course in Ireland & second in Co Wicklow.

“already back to its best and bristling with confi dence” (The Irish Golfer Magazine, December 2017) “it has as the potential to become one of the superstars of Irish Golf” (Top 100 Golf courses, November 2017)

Visitors & Societies are welcome all year round. Open competitions every Tuesday & Thursday. Corporate Membership & Packages available on request. t: 058 43216 e: [email protected] Enjoy our delicious, locally sourced Bar menu options after your round of golf as you overlook the 18th green. Home to US PGA Player Seamus Power Private dining & Function room also available. Any enquiries please contact 058 43216 Dunlavin, Co Wicklow T: 353 (0)45 403316 E: [email protected] www.rathsallaghgolf.com www.westwaterfordgolf.com Rathsallagh golf club @golfrathsallagh

90 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. of rooms Leisure centre Spa facilities Conference Rooms Golf on site Tennis Wi-Fi Parking Fishing Horse Riding IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST

Your golf tour to Ireland is a special occasion. A display THE SALLY GAP, CO WICKLOW case, hand-crafted in Irish hardwood, is the perfect way to remember each stunning course you played.

At the Perfection Framing workshop in County Wicklow, we specialise in creating the very best, one-off frames, custom-fi t to your requirements. You can choose every detail, from how many balls it will hold, the type of native wood, the name plate...you even have the option of golf , lovingly turned on the lathe in matching hardwood. Every new frame begins with a conversation...we look forward to having one with you.

Every frame is lovingly created and finished by hand…

Call +353 (0)404 43808 [email protected] www.perfectionframing.ie

92 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Horse Racing in Ireland a “real” Irish experience Whether it is one of the great festival meetings, such as Punchestown, Galway or the Irish Champions weekend there is no better way to see and touch the “real Ireland” than spending a day at the races. there is no better LEOPARDSTOWN RACECOURSE Inaugural Dublin Racing Festival 3rd & 4th February 2018 way to see www.leopardstown.com The Dublin Racing Festival is the newest addition to the Irish festival calendar and is a and touch the weekend that will celebrate Dublin’s richness and diversity across culture, comedy, music, racing and food. The Dublin Racing Festival will combine the “real Ireland best that the city has to offer over one weekend PUNCHESTOWN NATIONAL HUNT FESTIVAL – join the party for the best of Dublin culture, music, fashion, food and jump racing that will Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th April 2018. simply take your breath away. Dazzle your senses www.punchestown.com in our jubilant celebration of Dublin with a full The Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival is one of the highlights of the Irish sporting entertainment programme that supports culture, and social calendar. The special combination of thrilling sporting action, brilliant live comedy, music, culinary delights and fashion. entertainment, delicious food and drink, family fun, dazzling glamour or casual comfort is Savour the atmosphere that is unique only to FAIRYHOUSE unequalled thanks to the unique Punchestown Festival atmosphere. Dublin - full of welcome, easy conversations, wit, Easter Irish Grand National Festival, April 1st to April 3rd 2018. The Punchestown Festival is considered the grande finale of the jump season with top warmth and humour. www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie class horses, trainers and jockeys from both sides of the Irish Sea converging on the Kildare Fairyhouse is the Venue for many of the biggest races of the Irish Jump season, venue to settle scores and confirm reputations. The quality of racing is unrivalled with a Bulmer’s Live Series with the crowning glory coming on Easter Monday when the holiday celebrations total of 12 Grade 1 contests taking place. Punchestown is proud to be the home of Irish June 7th to August 16th 2018 reach fever pitch for the running of the Irish Grand National. The Grand National is National Hunt Racing and host the famous La Touche Cup, a spectator’s favourite run over All summer Leopardstown is bringing you the most valuable handicap jump race in Ireland .It’s a thrilling roller-coaster event the cross country course. It’s a “must see” for any racing fan. The jewel in the crown of the a fantastic line-up of live gigs great food and over 3 5/8 miles and 24 fences to jump. It is a true test of horse and rider and the Festival is Irish Champion Hurdle day which takes place on the Friday. A favourite with thrilling horse racing. With a strong Irish card winning combination that comes home in front receives an electrifying reception race goers, locals and socialisers alike. This day gets the largest crowds and has a real party Bulmers Live at Leopardstown gives you all the from the 20,000 crowd. Known as the people’s race, it is not only one of the biggest atmosphere. The quality of racing is fantastic with the best two mile hurdlers battling for the makings for a great night out with a difference. days in the Irish Racing calendar but one of the biggest days in Irish Sport. champion title.

94 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 95 THE CURRAGH IRISH DERBY FESTIVAL KILLARNEY RACECOURSE LONGINES IRISH CHAMPIONS WEEKEND June 29th to July 1st 2018 Mid July festival 11th to 14th July 2018. August Festival Leopardstown 15th & the Curragh 16th September 2018 www.curragh.ie 17th to 20th August 2018 www.irishchampionsweekend.ie The Curragh is the home of Irish flat racing and the largest horse www.killarneyraces.ie Held in Leopardstown, The feature race on day one of Longines training centre in the country. It is named in early manuscripts The magnificent scenery is what draws the huge crowds to Irish Champions Weekend is the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes as a meeting place of Celtic kings and Chieftain’s. THE Irish Killarney and the mountains and lakes that cradle the racecourse which is the highest-rated turf race in the world. Witness the top Derby three-day racing festival promises a spectacle of fashion, make it arguably the most beautiful racecourse in the country. thoroughbreds from around the world compete for the 2.3 million entertainment, music and the finest racing from 29th June to 1st Killarney is the premier tourist destination in Ireland and the in prize-money on an eight race card. July 2018. The Derby is the ultimate destination to be enthralled Killarney races provides the combination of an excellent summer Alongside top quality racing is a programme of events including and get swept up in the magic of an unmissable summer celebration racing schedule set to the backdrop of feverish, non-stop summer- Longines Prize for Elegance and Moët & Chandon Champion Hat with friends. Held across three days in the height of summer, it is time holiday activity. It’s party time all summer long in Killarney competitions. Enjoy one of the best days racing in the world along unrivalled in its prestige and tradition and is most definitely the and there is an energy to the area that has seeped into the pores of with elegant fashion, and off-track entertainment including music, social occasion of the year. every facet of life there. gourmet food and beverages. Killarney as already mentioned, is the tourist capital of Ireland ad Leopardstown is conveniently located in South there is lots to see and do both in the town and surrounding area. and is easily accessible with excellent transport links from Dublin Some attractions of note include the 26,000 acre city centre. GALWAY RACES SUMMER FESTIVAL national Park located 6km outside Killarney. Held on The Curragh, day two of the Longines Irish Champions weekend moves to the historic venue of the Curragh racecourse, July 30th to August 5th 2018 home of Ireland’s classics. Enjoy an amazing day of fashion, top- www.galwayraces.ie LAYTOWN RACES class racing and live music. Galway Racecourse plays host to one of the greatest race meetings 13TH August 2018 Treat your taste buds to a day of food and beverages at the in the world, the famous and iconic Galway Races Summer Festival, www.laytownstrandraces.ie Curragh Garden Plaza. Families can enjoy the new family friendly that boasts seven days of superb racing, hospitality, entertainment, The word “unique” is bandied around a lot by promoters of enclosure, located in the infield of the racecourse with an exciting stunning fashion and an electric atmosphere that continues to draw events that have a spurious claims to such worthiness but the variety of free entertainment for children. Access to the infield is people from Ireland and abroad to experience the magic that is ‘The Laytown beach racing spectacle is worthy of the moniker because through the main entrance and is available to anyone with a race Galway Races’. Over 140,000 people attended the Summer Festival it’s the only officially approved beach racing in Europe. People day ticket Meeting in 2017 where betting turnover reached great heights once travel from far and wide, including many annual overseas visitors, If you are looking to add adventure to your day, why not book again. The racecourse offers a great selection of hospitality facilities to see this unique event on the beach at Laytown. Crowds as large our popular Thoroughbred Trail. The trail brings you an exciting and continually strives to offer the race goer a wonderful raceday as 5,000 turn up every year to watch this unique spectacle. The last opportunity to go behind the scenes at many of the leading training experience. If you fancy a flutter while at the course, there are time that many people were on a beach in Ireland was when the yards and stud farms. various options for placing a bet at the Galway Races; the Tote, on- native Irish were trying to drive back hordes of invading Vikings in course betting shops and on-course bookmakers. the middle ages.

96 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 97 Not To Be Forgotten The 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is Donegal and Ballyliffin Golf Club’s opportunity to make a splash on the world’s stage By David Gorman

SUNRISE ON BALLYLIFFIN

ur national Open will People are great, food is great. winners and world stars, under for his final three holes, player every year, the Irish 2017 Golf Digest Ireland Top head for the Hills of I’m sure Ballyliffin is going to Padraig Harrington, Graeme playing two of the best shots Open is becoming a major 100 Course Rankings. Donegal for the first be just as special as this one, McDowell, Darren Clarke, that he will ever hit to set up player on the world stage. It is a golf course that O time in its history, so I would not miss that for Shane Lowry and Paul Dunne eagle chances on the 16th and Keith Pelley, Chief means a lot to Rory McIlroy, when Ballyliffin Golf the world.” to name a few. The star of the 18th holes. Executive of the European he has been an honorary Club hosts the Dubai Duty Free Rahm played with show, however, is undoubtedly McIlroy sealed an Tour, said: “Thanks in no member there since his Irish Open, Hosted by The Rory tournament host Rory four-time major champion emotional victory over small part to Rory McIlroy’s amateur days. He first came Foundation from July 4-9. McIlroy for the first two days Rory McIlroy. Scotsman , and personal commitment to Ballyliffin in 2005 for an It is the second year that the at Portstewart, alongside Much credit for the event’s donated his prize fund of alongside that of his amateur tournament, which tournament will be part of a WGC-Bridgestone champion rebirth has to go to Rory €630,000 to three charities Foundation, the Irish Open they attended each year until ‘Links Swing’ on the European . Since McIlroy, whose personal by The Rory Foundation, his has unquestionably grown in Tour, culminating in The Open Dubai Duty Free have come involvement in the Irish Open own foundation which hosts stature over recent years. We Championship two weeks later. on board as a sponsor for has elevated its prestige. the event. must also thank our partners These are exciting times for the the tournament, some of the The Northern Irishman will His gripping performance in the championship – title Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The world’s best players have be looking to repeat his in Kildare was the clincher sponsors Dubai Duty Free – European Tour has designed it special played, including Rickie performance two years ago, for The European Tour in for their continued vision status as a Rolex Series event, with a Fowler, Sergio Garcia and when he won the event at the including the event in the and commitment not minimum prize fund of $7m. . K Club in dramatic fashion. Rolex Series. With its fantastic only to this event, but It is a golf course It signifies the full recovery of one Then there is Ireland’s One shot behind after 15 courses and a guarantee of to the European Tour of the European Tour golf’s most own selection of major holes, McIlroy finished three the European Tour’s marquee as a whole. that means a lot to loved events, which had struggled for Ballyliffin is an sponsors after the economic crash absolutely stunning Rory McIlroy, he has of 2008. 2018’s prize fund will be place. What I really been an honorary over four times that of 2011. With believe, not only a premium spot on the calendar, it is the golf course member there since will no doubt welcome one of the spectacular, but the strongest fields we have ever seen for support that we will his amateur days. an Irish Open. receive from the region. Last year, we saw Spanish And then when Rory superstar Jon Rahm lift the title in and I sat down some months dominating fashion at Portstewart ago and started talking about Golf Club, finishing six shots ahead it, he loves Ballyliffin, you see of the British pair of Richie Ramsey a big picture with Rory, and and Matthew Southgate. Rahm I think it’s with Nick Faldo. smashed the long-standing scoring I know there’s a lot of work he turned pro. The 28-year- record at the Irish Open, with a that has been done on the golf old then visited the club again marvellous 24-under-par 264 total. course.” in 2011, bringing the US He proved once again that he was The tournament will take Open trophy with him. one of the world’s best players and place on the Glashedy Links For John Farren, following his win, he told the media at Ballyliffin but the club is a Ballyliffin’s General Manager, that he would return next year. He rare facility where there are 36 hosting such a prestigious has already developed an affinity holes of almost equal quality event is a dream come true. with Ireland and its people. RORY MCILROY – Glashedy was ranked 11th “It’s a tremendous BALLYLIFFIN “I think it’s a beautiful place. and the Old Links 18th in the achievement for the club, first

98 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 99 While the week itself is very important and it is the showcase, it’s the aftermath and the legacy that it gives to the region.

BALLYLIFFIN

and foremost, but also for the last 4 or 5 years in anticipation protect itself, but for its wild lake awaits wayward shots, region. It’s a huge boost for that we would get the Irish beauty, it is also a stern test of links enthusiasts have conflicted Ballyliffin as we’re reliant on Open. golf. The rough is penal and views about a lake on a links tourism, at the start of the Wild “While the week itself is off the back tees, length and course, but it’s a natural feature Atlantic Way. very important and it is the accuracy is required. The holes on the course and Farren says “We have two wonderful showcase, it’s the aftermath have been excellently sculpted “we’re very proud of it.” courses here, and wonderful and the legacy that it gives by Tom Craddock and Pat There are certainly going scenery along North Donegal. to the region. The payback Ruddy, and the recent changes to be a lot of proud people in The exposure to 500 million doesn’t come on the week of the have elevated the status of the Donegal this July, and for the homes is incredible and event but the weeks and year course. so-called ‘Forgotten County’, something we could not achieve following the event. It will pay The signature hole at it is going to be a week to without an event of this scale. dividends for a long time with Glashedy would be the 7th remember on the North Coast. “We were doing a lot tourism.” hole, a tee shot with a 100 foot of work, especially with Ballyliffin, like all links drop to the green, offering a rebunkering and tees over the courses relies on the wind to spectacular viewing point. A Discover true beauty...

Surrounded by rivers and mature forests, Woodenbridge Golf Club was described by the legendary as “ Augusta” and “ e most scenic golf course in Ireland”.

is has positioned Woodenbridge as one of Ireland’s most popular golf society destinations. If you are looking for the ideal Captains Away Day, then treat your group to a memorable day out at Woodenbridge Golf Club.

We have a number of packages available to suit your group.

Finish the day off in style by dining at “ e Pheasantry Restaurant” with its panoramic views of the course and Avoca river.

To book or to request more information BALLYLIFFIN Call 0402-35202 or E-mail [email protected] www.woodenbridge.ie 100 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Counties in this section: Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Sligo One of the great wonders of the world, the Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500 kilometre, hair-raising route that passes through some of the greatest courses ever created

sensational coast of Ireland on a 2,500 journey of soaring kilometre route that has A cliffs and buzzing been described by Lonely towns and cities, Planet as “untamed and of hidden beaches and epic utterly divine”. bays. Driving along the Wild It is also home to Atlantic Way is a once-in-a- many of the world’s lifetime experience. best links courses from From the wind-whipped 2018 Irish Open venue tip of Malin Head to the Ballyliffin on the north safe haven of Kinsale coast to the beautiful Harbour, wrap yourself in Ballybunion in County the wilderness of the west Kerry.

SLIEVE LEAGUE CLIFFS

102 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide WILD ATLANTIC WAY

CONNEMARA GOLF LINKS

courses. Set in the scenic splendour of Enniscrone’s sand dunes with breath-taking views overlooking Killala Bay, it is not to be missed. Strandhill is a links course with a terrific variety of challenging shots and dramatic scenery. The most famous Sligo course of the lot, however, is County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point, where Rory McIlroy won the 2005 West of Ireland Amateur title at just 15 and then came back the following year and retained it. There is something epic about the venue that kicks off the elite amateur season in Ireland, and each hole bring a new challenge as golfers navigate along the Atlantic and Benbulben Mountain. 2018 is your At this point you are barely halfway down opportunity to play the Wild Atlantic Way, with adventures ahead in Mayo, Galway, Clare and Kerry. the course before the In Mayo, one of Eddie Hackett’s masterpieces, the great Carne Links at world’s best players, Belmullet must be played. The remote beauty of the and which should include the inquisitive holes are laid out through some likes of Rory McIlroy and of golf’s largest dunes. The back nine provides as interesting of a nine holes of golf Jon Rahm, take on the as can be found anywhere in the country. The 15th and 17th are great par 4s with a Glashedy Links at dizzying drop-shot par 3 in between. From Rosapenna to Rosses Point, from trip around Ballyliffin boost to tourism in two magnificent courses on-site. It is a rare must wait until the sixth for the first view of From the towering dunes of Carne Golf Lahinch to Doonbeg, from Tralee to the locality and the region. Upon the 36-hole club with courses of the highest the sea, but the panorama from the sandhill Links there is a sensational drive through Co Waterville, the courses on the Wild Atlantic excitedly spied announcement of the standard, where the Old Links course was that houses the eighth tee says it all about Mayo to Westport Golf Club, where Paul Way are on every golfer’s bucket list. the massive dunes news the General Manager upgraded and re-opened by Nick Faldo in Donegal. It is simply breath-taking.” McGinley claimed the third of his four Irish If you have ever tried to imagine what and pristine links land at of Ballyliffin, John Farren, 2006. “The Old Course at Ballyliffin is the Just north is the nine-hole Cruit Island, on Professional Championship wins in 2002. golf in Ireland is like, you have probably Rosapenna that plans to build said: “The best-kept secret of Irish most natural course I have ever played.” a small inhabited island in region, From there it will be impossible to avoid imagined rugged courses where legendary an 18-hole course were settled. golf is finally out. Also in the north of this large county linked by bridge. Truly this is the perfect being drawn towards the delights of Galway. names such as Old Tom Morris and Harry Two thirds of the ‘Great Triumvirate of Things are looking very positive for is Portsalon Golf Club, founded in 1891. location to get away from it all and play golf Connemara Golf Links is one of Galway’s Colt created holes with little more than Golf’ alongside JH Taylor, the great Harry a region that has long been neglected. Rated among the top 25 courses on the in an amazing backdrop. great venues - a starkly beautiful links golf hand tools and horsepower. Vardon and James Braid both journeyed to This will break a lot of glass stadiums for island by Golf Digest Ireland, the par 4 Head south and you will find County course, designed by the Eddie Hackett for a That is the case as Rosapenna Hotel Rosapenna and made some changes to the Donegal and the western seaboard in terms second is one of the world’s great holes Donegal Golf Club, otherwise known as very modest fee at the behest of a group of and Golf Resort in north Donegal, which course, adding length and bunkering to Old of the confidence that’s been shown by with the 14th - named Matterhorn - not Murvagh, one of the great links courses, locals led by an enthusiastic curate, Fr Peter combines the old with the new - the Pat Tom’s layout but leaving his perfect greens the European Tour in bringing an event to far behind. Undulating and eccentric holes which has been described as the Muirfield of Waldron, the local parish priest who pushed Ruddy designed Sandy Hills Links and the intact. what many would regard as being a remote, means that this is a shot-maker’s paradise. Ireland. Isolated from the outside world by to get the course built. Old Tom Morris Links, created by Old Tom Rosapenna Hotel is a four-star hotel isolated destination. There are many fine courses in Donegal, a forest of evergreens, washed on one side The course opened for play in 1973 in the 19th century and updated in 1900s with 65 bedrooms and extensive facilities. But we like to feel that we are the centre but there are not many better than Narin by the great Atlantic Ocean and by Donegal and has received many illustrious visitors by the greatest players of the time, Harry Recently added to resort was the Sandy Hills of the universe, and we hope to showcase it & Portnoo Golf Club, one of the most Bay on the other, it is one of Darren Clarke’s over the years, including five-time Open Vardon and James Braid. Links, designed by Pat Ruddy. in that manner next year.” picturesque courses in Ireland, with its favourite courses in the world. champion Tom Watson, who raved about Old Tom Morris was invited over in It is an exciting time for the north coast of 2018 is your opportunity to play the sweeping views of Gweebarra Bay taking the Driving south from Donegal into Sligo, the elevated and “spectacular” greens on the 1891 to design a nine-hole golf course Donegal, as the world will be watching the course before the world’s best players, breath away. Irish Times golf correspondent, visitors will discover wonderful links at back nine. on the grounds of his home in , rugged Inishowen Peninsula, as Ballyliffin which should include the likes of Rory Philip Reid, included the course in his Enniscrone and Strandhill. Golf began at “If there were a course like this on the but according to local legend, it was only Golf Club hosts the Dubai Duty Free Irish McIlroy and Jon Rahm, take on the favourite eight courses in Ireland, with Enniscrone a hundred years ago and it west coast of , it would surely host when Old Tom was brought out for a day Open from 4-8 July. It is a tremendous Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin, one of the fellow scribe Charlie Mulqueen writing “one has become one of Ireland’s greatest links the British Open,” said former Ryder Cup star and commentator .

104 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 105 WILD ATLANTIC WAY

Adare Manor will fully reopen this year after a major upgrade to its hotel and golf course by Irish billionaire JP McManus. The ‘Augusta of Europe’

There is also the historic Galway Golf Club, home of multiple Ryder Cup players, the late Christy O’Connor Snr and Christy O’Connor Jnr, who learned the game at the Salthill course laid out by Dr Alister MacKenzie nearly 100 years ago. Galway has undergone an extensive upgrade programme in recent years but has lost none of its original charm, especially when the gorse is in full bloom with Galway Bay as a backdrop. Galway Bay Golf Resort was created by O’Connor Jnr, and it is a sensational golfing enclave, thanks to the Atlantic Ocean, which surrounds virtually the entire course. Featuring gently rolling fairways, dotted with mature trees and small water hazards, Galway Bay hosted the European Tour’s West of Ireland Open in 1999. From there you will head south into Co Clare, which features Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, the Greg Norman design recently revamped by Martin Hawtree. A five-star resort right by the year after a ocean, the course features spectacular views major upgrade on holes that make excellent use of the sand to its hotel and dunes. It is truly a majestic site and when golf course by Irish Greg Norman arrived to design the course, billionaire JP McManus. he said: “When I first looked at this site, I MANNOR It was already a world famous thought I was the luckiest designer in the Robert Trent Jones course before the world. If I spent the rest of my life building changes, and the stated goal of the redesign courses, I don’t think I’d find a comparable was to turn Adare into the ‘Augusta of Killarney site anywhere.” Europe’, with hopes of eventually holding Golf and Fishing Club, a four-time host of Significant investment has been put Ballybunion is natural golf at its best. With bunkers and unpredictable. One site that may be comparable is an the Ryder Cup there. It is sure to be one of the Irish Open. Nick Faldo won back-to- into Tralee Golf Club to improve its very few man-made elements, it offers In truth, there are too many great courses old classic and one of the world’s great the best maintained parkland courses in the back Irish Opens here in the 1990s, he won practice facilities and to introduce a an unparalleled back nine and countless to mention on this remarkable road along courses, Lahinch Golf Club, which dates world. the Irish Open just two weeks before he Hawtree-designed par 3 course. This is to interesting and testing approach shots on a the west coast of Ireland. But if there is one back to 1892. Created by Old Tom Morris has been one of won the Open Championship in 1992. The complement an Arnold Palmer designed unique layout featuring back-to-back par 3s course to finish your golf trip and leave and revised by Dr Alister Mackenzie, it is Ireland’s premier resorts for over 40 years, wonderful lake and mountain views here course that is one of the most majestic and par 5s. memories that you will never forget, it is one of ’s favourite courses where investment continues to improve make for a spectacular backdrop to both the courses you will ever encounter. The front Another favourite with American the Old Head Golf Links in Kinsale. One in the world. Host to the South of Ireland the golf course set amidst 150 hectares of two courses, Killeen and Mahony’s Point. nine features some spine-tingling holes visitors, including the late Payne Stewart, of the most dramatic sites for golf in the every year, the course overlooks Liscannor woodland. Kerry is one of the best counties for links that navigate the rocky Atlantic coast, who is remembered with a statue there, world, you are at the edge of the world at Bay and is an enchanting place to play golf. More than just links courses, parkland golf and one of the greatest and oldest is but it’s the back nine’s massive dunes and is Waterville Golf Links. Situated on the Old Head, three hundred feet up, looking Head further inland and gems include Castletroy, Shannon and Dooks Golf Club. Founded 127 years ago in challenging tee placements that leave a shores of Ballinskelligs Bay, Tom Fazio, was over the edge of a cliff, with Atlantic waves and Dromoland Castle offer five-star stays Portumna, which boasts some of the finest 1889, it is situated on the stunning Dingle lasting impression. commissioned to update the memory of crashing onto the rocks. With an iconic with golf on quality parkland courses, inland topography in Ireland. Bay and is one of the ten oldest golf clubs in Tralee is one of three Kerry links that this Eddie Hackett masterpiece. It provides lighthouse in view, it protrudes more than which can be a base for the nearby links. Head down to Kerry, and you will find Ireland, with the Atlantic Ocean lapping the regularly feature on lists of the world’s a true links golf experience, complete with 3km into the heaving Atlantic Ocean. Adare Manor will fully reopen this the IGTOA’s 2017 Parkland of the Year, shores and the McGillycuddy Reeks nearby greatest courses, a Tom Watson favourite, rolling dunes, firm fairways, sod-faced Magical.

106 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 107 THE CO.CLARE Stretching for 8KM, the sea cliffs are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction. From a maximum height of 214 metres, visitors can see the in Galway Bay, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges and to the south. www.cliffsofmoher.ie THE SKELLIG COAST REGION CO. KERRY The Skellig Coast Region, located between Kells and Castlecove on the of South Kerry includes many of the highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way; the magical Skellig Islands, the historic Daniel O’Connell, the world changing Transatlantic Cable Story and some of the best golf courses in the world! www.wildatlanticway.com/highlights/skelligs- galaxy-not-so-far-away

SLIABH LIAG SEA CLIFFS CO.DONEGAL These are some of the highest and finest marine cliffs in Europe. They are almost three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher and they offer truly spectacular views. www.sliabhliag.com CO. SLIGO MALIN HEAD Immortalised by WB Yeats, childhood home of Irish revolutionary Countess Markievicz, Lissadell House is the CO. DONEGAL crucible of Ireland’s historic, literary and garden heritage. It is An area steeped in history, this is the most Northerly point situated on the shores of Sligo Bay along the Wild Atlantic Way. along the Wild Atlantic Way. The headland at the tip is known www.lissadellhouse.com as Banba’s Crown, named after one of the mythical queens of Ireland. OLD HEAD SIGNAL www.wildatlanticway.com/plan-your-trip/signature/malin-head/128/ TOWER & LUSITANIA MUSEUM CO.CORK The tragic event of the great ocean liner the RMS Lusitania, which was struck by a German torpedo off The Old Head of Kinsale is commemorated in the Lusitania Memorial Garden which opened in May 2017. The Lusitania Museum is housed in the Signal Tower which also gives panoramic views of the Atlantic Coastline as well as of Ireland’s most famous golf links, Old Head WESTPORT www.oldheadofkinsale.com HOUSE WALK AND WHISKEY TOUR, CO. MAYO WHIDDY ISLAND is one of Ireland’s most beautiful CO. CORK historic homes and Whiddy Island is a hidden gem nestled in West Cork’s Bantry enjoys a superb parkland Bay. Join Islander Tim O’Leary on a tour of the Island and setting complete with later retire to the Bank House pub for a whiskey tour as well as lake, terraces, gardens local artisan food pairings. and magnificent views. www.whiddyferry.com It’s even got its very EXPERIENCES AND ATTRACTIONS own campsite and adventure park offering fun activities for all the family. www.westporthouse.ie

108 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide WILD ATLANTIC WAY

For special offers go to www.ireland.com/golf

A-Z GOLF COURSES ON THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY

4 Malin Ballyliffen Greencastle 43Portsalon 40 26 Ballycastle Portstewart Portrush Dunfanaghy 20 38 41 13 Rathmullen Cushendun 27Gortahork 8 Buncrana Milford Cushendall An Bun Beag () Ballymoney 17 Gaoth Dobhair 36 Limavaddy (Gweedore) Ailt an Chorráin Carnlough

() An Clochán Derry j klmnp () Letterkenny 33 Dungiven

Larne Ballymena 35 Stranorlar Strabane Ballybofey 1 Whitehead Gleann Cholm Cille Ballyclare Ardara Magherafelt Carrickfergus (Glencolumbkille) Antrim Newtownstewart Malinmore Bangor Donegal Cookstown Donaghadee 18 Belfast Omagh Newtownards

Dungannon Lisburn Dromore Ballyshannon Hillsborough 9 Beleek Irvinestown Mullaghmore Lurgan Bundoran Aughnacloy Portadown Ballinahinch Portaferry Grange Enniskillen Tandragee Armagh Banbridge Downpatrick

Drumcliff ` bcdf g h 14 Manorhamilton Ballycastle Béal an Mhuirthead Easkey Strandhill Sligo Monaghan Keady (Belmullet) 46 Dromahair 10 Dromore West Newcastle Killala Derrylin 22Inishcrone Clones Newry Collooney Swanlinbar Bangor Erris Ballyconnell Belturbet Castleblayney Crossmolina Ballina Warrenpoint Ballymote Castlebaldwin Kilkeel Cootehill Tubbercurry Ballinamore Carlingford Drumshanbo Iniskeen Dundalk Keel Shercock Foxford Boyle Cavan Carrickmacross Cashel Charlestown Swinford Carrick-on-Shannon Mulrany Kingscourt Newport Castlebar Dunleer 50 Virginia Ardee Westport Knock Granard Roonah Quay Louisburgh Castlerea Strokestown Ballyhaunis Claremorris Longford Kells Edgeworthstown Castlepollard Roscommon Lanesborough Leenáun Ballinrobe

Cleggan Letterfrack Ballymahon Clonbur Cong Mullingar Tuam Clifden Sraith Salach Headford Mount Bellew (Recess) Kinnegad 15 Oughterard Athlone Roundstone

16 Moate Kilbeggan Maynooth Edenderry Dublin Cárna (Carna) Galway Ballinasloe An Cheathrú Rua () 6, 24 Athenry Inverin Tullamore Salthill Oranmore Clonmacnoise Ros an Mhil (Rossaveal) An Spidéal Droichead Nua Kilreekill (Spiddal) 23 (Newbridge) Loughrea Banagher Kilcormac Portarlington 25 Kildare Cliffs of Moher BALLYBUNION GOLF CLUB Birr Portumna Ballyvaughan Doolin Gort Stradbally Lisdoonvarna Terryglass Portlaoise Glendalough Ashford Wicklow Athy Mountshannon Ennistymon Rathdrum Lahinch Roscrea 32 Scarriff Dromineer Abbeyleix Baltinglass

Avoca Miltown Malbay Tulla Nenagh 1. Ballybofey 17. Cruit Island 35. Narin & Portnoo Durrow Carlow Tullow Arklow Killaloe Templemore 48 Castlecomer & Stranorlar 18. Donegal 36. North West

Urlingford 29 Shannon Gorey Kilrush Thurles Bagenalstown 2. Ballybunion 19. Dooks 37. Old Head Bunclody Courtown Limerick Kilkenny Killimer Holycross Foynes Ferns 3. Ballyheigue Castle 20. Dunfanaghy 38. Otway Kilbaha Adare Callan Graiguenamanagh Ballybunion Tarbert Rathkeale Cashel Thomastown Enniscorthy 4. Ballyliffin 21. Dunmore 39. Parknasilla 2 Listowel Tipperary Newcastle West

New Ross 5. Bantry Bay 22. Enniscrone 40. Portsalon Ballyheige Kilmallock Abbeyfeale Clonmel 3 Cahir Carrick-on-Suir Rath Luirc (Charleville) Wexford 6. Bearna 23. Galway Bay 41. Redcastle Ballyhack Wellington 11 Rosslare 47 Tralee Waterford Bridge Castleisland Fethard Rosslare Harbour Camp Buttevant Mitchelstown 7. Berehaven 24. Galway 42. Passage East 12 Kilmore Quay An Daingean Kanturk Tramore Dunmore East (Dingle) 8. Buncrana 25. 43. Rosapenna Mallow Fermoy Lismore Cappoquin Killorglin30 19 Dungarvan Glenbeigh Killarney Millstreet 9. Bundoran 26. Greencastle 44. Skellig Bay Watergrasshill

Youghal Ardmore 10. Carne (Belmullet) 27. Gweedore 45. Skibbereen Cahirciveen Blarney Midleton 28 Kenmare Macroom Cork 42 11. Castlegregory 28. Kenmare & West 49 Sneem Inchigeelagh Cobh Waterville 39 Ballycotton 44 Carrigaline Crosshaven 12. Dingle Links 29. Kilkee 46. Strandhill Glengarriff Bandon 31 Dunmanway 5 Kinsale (Ceann Sibeal) 30. 47. Tralee Castletown Bere 7 Bantry 34

Clonakilty 21 Courtmacsherry37 13. Cloughaneely 31. Kinsale 48. Trump International 45 Skibbereen Schull 14. Co Sligo 32. Lahinch 49. Waterville Goleen Baltimore 15. Connemara 33. Letterkenny 50. Westport 16. Connemara Isles 34. Lisselan More information on courses along the Wild Atlantic Way at www.ireland.com/golf

110 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 111 WILD ATLANTIC WAY

For special offers go to www.ireland.com/golf

A-Z GOLF COURSES IN COUNTIES ON THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY

Malin Ballyliffen Culdaff Carndonagh Greencastle Portsalon Moville Dunfanaghy

Gortahork Rathmullen Buncrana

Milford An Bun Beag (Bunbeg) Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore) Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport) An Clochán Liath (Dungloe) Letterkenny

Lifford Glenties Stranorlar Ballybofey Gleann Cholm Cille Ardara (Glencolumbkille)

Malinmore

Kilcar Donegal Killybegs

Rossnowlagh

Ballyshannon

Mullaghmore Bundoran

Grange

Drumcliff Manorhamilton Ballycastle Béal an Mhuirthead Easkey Strandhill Sligo (Belmullet) Dromahair Dromore West Killala Inishcrone Collooney 17 DROMOLAND CASTLE Bangor Erris

Crossmolina 7 Ballina Ballymote Castlebaldwin Tubbercurry 53 12 8 Ballinamore Drumshanbo 1. Abbeyfeale 15. Blarney 29. Ennis 43. Muskerry Keel 2 Foxford Cashel Charlestown Swinford 16Carrick-on-Shannon 2. Achill 16. Carrick-on-Shannon 30. Glenlo Abbey Mulrany 51 44. Newcastle West 42Newport 3. Adare Manor 17. Castle Dargan 31. Gort 18 Castlebar 45. Oughterard Westport Knock 11 4. Adare Manor GC 18. Castlebar 32. Kanturk Roonah Quay Louisburgh Ballyhaunis 46. Portumna Claremorris23 5. Ardfert 19. Castleisland 33. Killarney 47. Rathbane Leenáun 6. Athenry 20. Castlerosse 34. Kilrush 10 Ballinrobe Renvyle 48. Ross Cleggan Letterfrack 27 7. Ballina 21. Castletroy 35. Lee Valley Clonbur Cong Tuam Clifden 52 Sraith Salach 8. Ballinamore 22. Charleville 36. Limerick 49. Shannon Headford Mount Bellew Ballyconneely (Recess) 41 Oughterard45 9. Ballinasloe 23. Claremorris 37. Listowel Roundstone 50. Spanish Point 10. Ballinrobe 24. Cregmore Park 38. Loughrea Cárna (Carna) Galway 24 Ballinasloe 9 51. Swinford An Cheathrú Rua (Carraroe) 30 6 Athenry Inverin 11. Ballyhaunis 25. Curra West 39. Macroom Salthill Oranmore Ros an Mhil (Rossaveal) An Spidéal 52. Tuam (Spiddal) Kilreekill 12. Ballymote 26. Dromoland 40. Mallow 25, 38 Loughrea 53. Tubbercurry Cliffs of Moher 13. Bandon 27. Dunmore 41. Mountbellew Portumna Ballyvaughan 46 Doolin 31 14. Beaufort 28. East Clare 42. Mulranny 54. Woodstock Gort Lisdoonvarna

Mountshannon Ennistymon Lahinch Scarriff 28 Miltown Malbay Tulla 29,Ennis 54 50 26 Killaloe

Kilkee Shannon 49 Kilrush 34 21,Limerick 47 Killimer Foynes Kilbaha 36 3, Adare4 Ballybunion Tarbert Rathkeale

Listowel 37 44 Newcastle West

Ballyheige Kilmallock 1, 19 Abbeyfeale 5 Rath Luirc (Charleville)22

Castlegregory Tralee Camp Castleisland Buttevant An Daingean Kanturk 32 (Dingle) Mallow Killorglin 40

Glenbeigh 14, 20, 33, Killarney48 Millstreet

Cahirciveen Blarney15, 43 Kenmare 39Macroom 35 Cork Sneem Inchigeelagh Waterville

Glengarriff Bandon 13 Dunmanway Kinsale Castletown Bere Bantry

Clonakilty Courtmacsherry Rosscarbery Skibbereen Schull

Goleen Baltimore

LEE VALLEY More information on these golf courses at www.ireland.com/golf

112 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 113 TRALEE G O L F C L U B

Voted among the world’s top 10 ocean courses

Surrounded by the Atlantic, Tralee’s magnificent and challenging Arnold Palmer course For special offers and packages visit our website at offers incomparable views on all sides. Castles, distant islands, towering mountains www.traleegolfclub.com and the beach that figured prominently in Ryan’s Daughter will captivate you. Tel: +353 (0)66 713 6379 Email: [email protected] No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

WILD ATLANTIC WAY 18 EXPERIENCE IRELAND GOLF & TRAVEL Great Golf Itineraries

Luxury Hotels

Experience Ireland with Us...

GOLF TOURS | SIGHTSEEING TOURS | LUXURY HOTELS | CHAUFFEUR TOURS Classic Chauffeur Tours

Tel: +353-64-6622830 | Email: [email protected]

Single ball display case in 200 year-old Southern Beech, storm felled in County Wicklow.

Specialists in hand-crafted Irish hardwood frames

Call +353 (0)404 43808 [email protected] www.perfectionframing.ie

OLD HEAD GOLF LINKS No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire WILD ATLANTIC WAY 18 DOOKS GOLF CLUB

Dooks Golf Club is one of the premier links courses in the South West of Ireland

Redesigned by Martin Hawtree in 2005 Dooks is situated only 30 minutes from Killarney and offers breath taking views of

Visit www.dooks.com to book a tee time or one of our Open Days

Follow us:

BALLYKISTEEN

118 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide A: Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry T: + 353 (0) 66 976 8205 E: [email protected] W: www.dooks.com No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

WILD ATLANTIC WAY 18

ADVERT

DUNMORE HEAD AND

120 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire WILD ATLANTIC WAY 18 picture the most spectacular experience in golf

Old Head Golf Links, Kinsale, Co. Cork, P17 CX88, Ireland DOOHOMA HEAD Tel (+353) (0)21 477 8444 Email [email protected] www.oldhead.com 122 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide

Old Head 'Most Spectacular' A4 ad.indd 1 19/12/2017 09:58 No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

WILD ATLANTIC WAY 18

Celebrating 125 Years in 2018 Visit Killarney Golf & Fishing Club and experience this slice of golfing heaven on the doorstep of one of the most popular towns in Europe. The Championship courses at Killarney have hosted multiple European Tour and events. They have undergone significant development in recent years ensuring a fantastic playing experience for golfers of all abilities. The friendly relaxed atmosphere, unrivalled setting and legendary après-golf make Killarney a unique and unmissable experience.

Visitors, societies and corporate events welcome. Limited Overseas Membership also available.

KILLARNEY GOLF AND FISHING CLUB

Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, Killarney, Co. Kerry Tel: +353 64 6631034 Fax: +353 64 6633065 124 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Email: [email protected] Website: www.killarneygolfclub.ie The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 125

Killarney Golf ad 297x210.indd 1 05/01/2018 18:08 0696 NWCL Failte Irl Advert A5.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2017 10:10 Page 1

N ORTH & WEST OLD TOM MORRIS SANDY HILLS LINKS 1893 LINKS 2003 COAST L INKS G OLF I RELAND ROSAPENNA HOTEL & GOLF RESORT

of the DDF Irish Open 201 b - Host 8 olf Clu liffin G Bally

CONTACT US FOR YOUR GOLF VACATION PACKAGE

Luxury hotel on site providing exclusive golf & accommodation packages for couples, four balls and larger groups FULL MEMBER CLUBS Nestled between the picturesque Sheephaven & Mulroy Bays Rosapenna is surrounded by beautiful golden sandy beaches just minutes from your hotel bedroom. Carne • Enniscrone • Donegal • Rosapenna The ideal venue for a golfing break on two of the finest links in Ireland. Both links courses are ranked inside the top 50 of Golf Digest Ireland’s Top 100 List 2015. Ballyliffin • Castlerock • Portstewart The Sandy Hills Links is currently ranked No.11 in Golf World’s Top 100 in Ireland 2015 and No. 48 in Golf Worlds Top 100 in Great Britain & Ireland 2014/15. Royal Portrush • Ardglass Rosapenna - Ireland’s Home of Golf 9 An Fuaran, Moycullen,Co. Galway, Ireland ASSOCIATED MEMBER CLUBS T: + 353 (0) 91 868642 l [email protected] Downings, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland • T: 00353 (0)74 915 5301 • E: [email protected] • Web: www.rosapenna.ie Galway Bay • Westport • Narin & Portnoo • Portsalon www.northandwestcoastlinks.com 18 Hole Championship Course Overlooking Galway Bay & GALWAY GOLF CLUB FOUNDED 1895

• Situated less than 4km’s from Galway City Centre and • Full Bar & Catering Facilities Available in the Heart of the Seaside Resort of Salthill • Buggies, Carts & Clubs for Hire • 2018 Green Fee Rates FROM €35.00 Individual & €30.00 for Groups. • Short Game Practice Area, Putting Green, Driving Nets & Practice Area Non GUI Member Rates €35.00 - €85.00 Visit our Website @ www.galwaygolf.com

Galway Golf Club, Blackrock, Salthill, Galway • Telephone 00 353 (0)91 522033 • Email: [email protected] • Facebook: www.facebook.com/galwaygolfclub

Donegal Golf Club

Est. 1959 It is described by British Open Champion Darren Clarke as “one of my favourite courses in the world“

Lying in the bosom of Donegal Bay, this superb links occupies an elegant peninsula which is backed by the magnificent Bluestack Mountains by the North West Atlantic

Tel: +353 (0)74 97 34054 | www.donegalgolfclub.ie WILD ATLANTIC WAY No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

WILD ATLANTIC WAY 18

Club listings on the Wild Atlantic Way

Ballybofey & Stranorlar Stranorlar, Ballybofey, Co Donegal www.ballybofeystranorlar.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 74 913 1093 Ballybunion Sandhill Road, Ballybunion, Co Kerry www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie [email protected] 00 353 (0) 68 27146 Ballyheigue Castle Ballyheigue, Co Kerry www.ballyheiguecastlegolfclub.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 66 713 3555 Ballyliffin Ballyliffin, Inishowen, Co Donegal www.ballyliffingolfclub.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 74 937 6119 Bantry Bay Bantry, West Cork, Co Cork www.bantrygolf.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 27 50579 Bearna Corboley, Bearna, Co Galway www.bearnagolfclub.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 91 592677 Berehaven Filane, Castletownbere, Co Cork www.berehavengolf.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 27 70700 Buncrana Buncrana, Inishowen, Co Donegal www.buncranagolfclub.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 74 9362279 Bundoran Bundoran, Co Donegal www.bundorangolfclub.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 71 9841302 Carne (Belmullet) CO SLIGO Carne, Belmullet, Co Mayo www.carnegolflinks.com [email protected] Connemara Isles Dunmore Greencastle Kinsale North West Redcastle Sligo Golf Academy 00 353 (0) 97 82292 Eanach Mheáin, Béal an Daingin, Dunmore, Co Galway Greencastle, Co Donegal Farrangalway, Co Cork Lisfannon, Buncrana, Co Donegal Redcastle Hotel, Redcastle, Co Donegal Ransboro, Strandhill, Co Sligo www.sligogolfacademy.ie Leitir Móir, Co na Gaillimhe www.ddgc.ie www.greencastlegolfclub.com www.kinsalegolf.ie www.northwestgolfclub.com www.redcastlehoteldonegal.com Castlegregory [email protected] www.connemaraislesgolf.com [email protected] Stradbally, , Co Kerry [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (071) 912 8337 www.castlegregorygolflinks.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 93 38709 00 353 (0) 74938 1013 00 353 (0) 21 477 4722 00 353 (0) 74 936 1715 00 353 (0) 74 938 5555 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 91 572498 Strandhill 00 353 (0) 66 713 9444 Enniscrone Gweedore Lahinch Old Head Ring Of Kerry Strandhill, Co Sligo Cruit Island Templenoe, Killarney, Co Kerry www.strandhillgolfclub.com Dingle Links Enniscrone, Co Sligo Derrybeg, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Lahinch, Co Clare Old Head of Kinsale, Kinsale, Co Cork Kincasslagh, Letterkenny, Co Donegal www.ringofkerrygolf.com [email protected] www.enniscronegolf.com www.gweedoregolfclub.com www.lahinchgolf.com www.oldhead.com 00 353 (0) 71 916 8188 (Ceann Sibeal) www.cruitislandgolfclub.com [email protected] , Dingle Peninsula, Tralee, [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 64 664 2000 Co Kerry 00 353 (0) 96 36297 00 353 (0) 74 953 1140 00 353 (0) 65 7081003 00 353 (0) 21 477 8444 Tralee www.dinglelinks.com 00 353 (0) 74 954 3296 West Barrow, Ardfert, Co Kerry Rosapenna www.traleegolfclub.com [email protected] Galway Bay Kenmare Letterkenny Otway Donegal Rosapenna, Downings, Letterkenny, [email protected] 00 353 (0) 66 915 6255 Oranmore, Co Galway Kenmare, Co Kerry Barnhill, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Saltpans, Rathmullan, Co Donegal Murvagh, Laghey, Co Donegal Co Donegal 00 353 (0) 66 713 6379 www.galwaybaygolfresort.com www.kenmaregolfclub.com www.letterkennygolfclub.com www.otwaygolf.com Cloughaneely www.donegalgolfclub.ie www.rosapenna.ie Trump International Ballyconnell, Falcarragh, Co Donegal [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Doughmore Bay, Doonbeg, Co Clare www.falcarraghgolfclub.ie 00 353 (0) 91 790711 00 353 (0) 64 664 1291 00 353 (0) 74 912 1150 00 353 (0) 74 915 8319 00 353 (0) 74 9734054 00 353 (0) 74 915 5000 www.trumphotelcollection.com/ireland/ [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 74 916 5416 Dooks Galway Kilkee Lisselan Parknasilla Skellig Bay 353 65 9055600 Blackrock, Salthill, Galway East End, Kilkee, Co Clare Clonakilty, West Cork Sneem, Co Kerry Co Sligo Dooks, Glenbeigh, Co Kerry Waterville, Co Kerry www.galwaygolf.com www.kilkeegolfclub.ie www.lisselan.com www.parknasillahotel.ie/golf Waterville Rosses Point, Co Sligo www.dooks.com www.skelligbay.com Waterville, Co Kerry [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.countysligogolfclub.ie [email protected] [email protected] www.watervillegolfclub.ie [email protected] 00 353 (0) 66 976 8205 00 353 (0) 91 522033 00 353 (0) 65 9056048 353 (0) 23 883 3249 00 353 (0) 64 664 5195 00 353 (0) 66 947 4133 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 71 917 7134 00 353 (0) 66 9474102 Dunfanaghy Glengarriff Killorglin Narin & Portnoo Portsalon Skibbereen & West Carbery Connemara Westport Kill, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal Droumgarriff, Co Cork Killorglin, Co Kerry Narin Portnoo, Co Donegal Portsalon, Fanad, Co Donegal Licknavar, Co Cork Ballyconneely, Co Galway Carrowholly, Westport, Co Mayo www.glengarriffgolfclub.com www.killorglingolf.ie www.narinportnoogolfclub.ie www.portsalongolfclub.com www.connemaragolflinks.com www.dunfanaghygolfclub.com www.skibbgolf.com www.westportgolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 95 23502 00 353 (0) 74 9136335 00 353 (0) 27 63150 00 353 (0) 66 976 1979 00 353 (0) 74 9545107 00 353 (0) 74 915 9459 00 353 (0) 28 21227 00 353 (0) 98 28262

130 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 131 WILD ATLANTIC WAY No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

WILD ATLANTIC WAY 18

Club listings in counties on the Wild Atlantic Way

Abbeyfeale Dromtrasna Collins, Co Limerick www.abbeyfealegolfclub.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 68 32033 Achill Keel, Achill, Co Mayo www.achillgolf.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 98 43456 Adare Manor Adare, Co Limerick www.adaremanor.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 61 605200 Adare Manor Golf Club Adare, Co Limerick www.adaremanorgolfclub.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 61 396204 Ardfert Sackville, Ardfert, Tralee, Co Kerry www.ardfertgolfclub.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 66 713 4744 Athenry Palmerstown, Oranmore, Co Galway www.athenrygolfclub.net [email protected] 00 353 (0) 91 794466 Ballina Mossgrove, Ballina, Co Mayo www.ballina-golf.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 96 21050 Ballinamore Creevy, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim www.ballinamoregolfclub.ie [email protected] 00 353 (0) 71 964 4346 Ballinasloe Rosgloss, Ballinasloe, Co Galway www.ballinasloegolfclub.ie [email protected] 00 353 (0) 90 964 2126 Ballinrobe Cloonacastle, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo www.ballinrobegolfclub.com SHANNON [email protected] 00 353 (0) 94 954 1118

Ballyhaunis Castle Dargan Charleville Dunmore Killarney Macroom Oughterard Spanish Point Coolnaha, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo Ballygawley, Co Sligo Charleville, Co Cork Dunmore, Clonakilty, Co Cork Mahony’s Point, Co Kerry Macroom, Co Cork www.ballyhaunisgolfclub.com Gortreevagh, Oughterard, Co Galway Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare www.castledargan.com www.charlevillegolf.com www.dunmoregolfclub.ie www.killarney-golf.com www.macroomgolfclub.com [email protected] www.oughterardgolfclub.com www.spanishpointgolfing.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 94 963 0014 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 23 883 4644 00 353 (0) 64 663 1034 00 353 (0) 26 41072 [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 71 9118080 00 353 (0) 63 81257 00 353 (0) 91 552131 00 353 (0) 65 708 4198 Ballymote East Clare Kilrush Mallow Ballymote, Co Sligo Castlebar Claremorris Bodyke, Co Clare www.eastclare.com Parknamoney, Kilrush, Co Clare Ballyellis, Mallow, Co Cork www.ballymotegolfclub.ie Portumna Swinford Rocklands, Castlebar, Co Mayo Castlemacgarrett, Claremorris, Co Mayo [email protected] www.kilrushgolfclub.com www.mallowgolfclub.net [email protected] Portumna, Co Galway Brabazon Park, Swinford, Co Mayo www.castlebargolfclub.ie www.claremorrisgolfclub.com 00 353 (0) 61 921322 [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 71 918 3111 00 353 (0) 65 9051138 00 353 (0) 22 21145 www.portumnagolfclub.ie www.swinfordgolf.com [email protected] [email protected] Ennis [email protected] [email protected] Bandon 00 353 (0) 94 9021649 00 353 (0) 94 9371527 Lee Valley Mountbellew Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co Clare 00 353 (0) 94 9251378 Castlebernard, Bandon, Co Cork Ovens, Co Cork Mountbellew, Ballinasloe, Co Galway 00 353 (0) 90 974 1059 www.bandongolfclub.com Castleisland www.ennisgolfclub.com Cregmore Park www.leevalleygolfclub.com www.mountbellewgolfclub.com Tuam [email protected] Dooneen, Castleisland, Co Kerry [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Rathbane 00 353 (0) 23 884 1111 Cregmore, Co Galway 00 353 (0) 65 6824074 Barnacurragh, Tuam, Co Galway www.castleislandgolfclub.com 00 353 (0) 21 7331721 00 353 (0) 90 9679259 Crossagalla, Limerick, Co Limerick www.cregmorepark.com www.tuamgolfclub.com Beaufort [email protected] www.rathbanegolfclub.com [email protected] Glenlo Abbey Limerick Mulranny [email protected] Beaufort, Killarney, Co Kerry 00 353 (0) 66 714 1709 Bushypark, Galway, Co Galway Ballyclough, Limerick, Co Limerick Mulranny, Co Mayo [email protected] 00 353 (0) 91 799799 00 353 (0) 93 28993 www.beaufortgolfresort.com www.glenlo.com www.limerickgolfclub.ie www.mulrannygolfclub.com 00 353 (0) 61 313655 [email protected] Castlerosse [email protected] [email protected] Curra West [email protected] Tubbercurry 00 353 (0) 64 664 4440 Castlerosse Hotel, , 00 353 (0) 91 526666 00 353 (0) 61 415146 00 353 (0) 98 36262 Ross Killarney, Co Kerry Curra, Kylebrack, Loughrea, Co Galway Ballymote Rd, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo Blarney Listowel Muskerry Ross Road, Co Kerry www.castlerosse.ie www.currawest.com Gort www.tubbercurrygolfclub.com Tower, Co Cork Feale View, Listowel, Co Kerry Carraigrohane, Co Cork [email protected] [email protected] Castlequarter, Gort, Co Galway www.blarneygolfclub.ie [email protected] www.listowelgolfclub.com www.muskerrygolfclub.ie [email protected] www.gortgolf.com [email protected] 00 353 (0) 64 663 1125 [email protected] 00 353 (0) 64 663 1144 00 353 (0) 90 974 5121 [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 71 918 5849 00 353 (0) 91 632244 00 353 (0) 21 438 4477 00 353 (0) 68 21592 00 353 (0) 21 438 5297 Castletroy Dromoland Shannon Woodstock Carrick-on-Shannon Kanturk Loughrea Newcastle West Shannon, Co Clare Golf Links Road, Castletroy, Limerick Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare Shanaway Road, Ennis, Co Clare Usna, Woodbrook, Carrick on Shannon Fairyhill, Kanturk, Co Cork Graigue, Loughrea, Co Galway Rathgonan, Ardagh, Co Limerick www.dromolandgolf.ie www.shannongolfclub.ie www.carrickgolfclub.ie www.castletroygolfclub.ie www.kanturkgolf.com www.loughreagolfclub.com www.newcastlewestgolf.com www.woodstockgolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 00 353 (0) 71 966 7 015 00 353 (0) 61 335753 00 353 (0) 61 368444 00 353 (0) 29 50534 00 353 (0) 91 841049 00 353 (0) 69 76500 00 353 (0) 61 471849 00 353 (0) 65 682 9463

132 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 133 No. of rooms Leisure centre Spa facilities Conference Rooms Golf on site Tennis Wi-Fi Parking Fishing Horse Riding WILD ATLANTIC WAY

POULNABRONE DOLMEN, THE BURREN, CO. CLARE

134 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. of rooms Leisure centre Spa facilities Conference Rooms Golf on site Tennis Wi-Fi Parking Fishing Horse Riding WILD ATLANTIC WAY

Experience Golf at Dromoland Castle Condé Nast Traveler ‘Favourite Hotels in the World’ Gold List 2018 Top 50 Course in Ireland by ‘Top 100 Golf Courses’

Experience one of Ireland's finest parkland golf resorts, only 20 minutes from Shannon Airport. Stay and play to be wrapped in a uniquely Irish setting, with two hotels and a host of amenities on the Dromoland Estate, including the terrific 18 hole parkland course, a professional Golf Academy and Driving Range. Situated on the Wild Atlantic Way, the resort is near other exceptional links golf and the rugged beauty of the West of Ireland. GARNISH ISLAND

Co. Clare | Ireland +353 61 368 444 dromolandgolf.com 136 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. of rooms Leisure centre Spa facilities Conference Rooms Golf on site Tennis Wi-Fi Parking Fishing Horse Riding WILD ATLANTIC WAY

VOTED ‘TOP 10’ HOTEL IN IRELAND

DISCOUNTED SOCIETY SPECIALS Championship Golf In The Heart Of Tipperary

Designed By Ryder Cup Star Des Smyth Stunning Bar and Exquisite Restaurant 18 Holes - Par 72 - 7,144 Yards Amazing Stay and Play Packages Fully Stocked Pro Shop + Driving Range 40 Deluxe Rooms and 10 Luxury Lodges Short Game Area and Putting Green Swimming Pool, Sauna and Gym Golf Buggies, Electric and Pull Trollies Luxury Spa and Therapy Rooms

p: +353 62 33333 e: [email protected] w: www.ballykisteenhotel.com GN Ballykisteen Golf Hotel, Limerick Junction, Co Tipperary, E34 VK12, Ireland

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GOLF TOURS | SIGHTSEEING TOURS | LUXURY HOTELS | CHAUFFEUR TOURS Classic Chauffeur Tours BENBULBEN CO. SLIGO Tel: +353-64-6622830 | Email: [email protected]

138 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. of rooms Leisure centre Spa facilities Conference Rooms Golf on site Tennis Wi-Fi Parking Fishing Horse Riding WILD ATLANTIC WAY

140 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide No. of rooms Leisure centre Spa facilities Conference Rooms Golf on site Tennis Wi-Fi Parking Fishing Horse Riding WILD ATLANTIC WAY YOUR GATEWAY TO THE WEST

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Call +353 (0)404 43808 [email protected] www.perfectionframing.ie

142 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Winner of the ITGOA Boutique Golf Hotel of the Year 2018, Ireland.

When you are playing the finest Recognised locally as one of the We have the only FSX Golf There is also a small, well links courses in Ireland, such finest places to eat we create top Studio in Ireland, an educational equipped modern gym available as Waterville, Dooks, Tralee or class dishes that will amaze every and intuitive golf simulation, to Quinlan & Cooke residents. Ballybunion then you deserve diner. We serve only fresh, wild where you can play some of the It is designed for golfers to stay in the finest boutique Irish fish, supplied by the family most iconic courses...a round at to stretch, warm up and flex townhouse in Kerry. company, Quinlan’s Kerry Fish. Hazeltine anyone? before heading to the tee.

Quinlan & Cooke Email: [email protected] Website: www.qc.ie 3 Main St, Cahersiveen, Telephone: +353 66 947 2244 Follow us on facebook and Ring of Kerry. Mobile: +353 87 260 0748 find our reviews on trip advisor.

Killeen House Hotel & Rozzers Restaurant

The Killeen House has been owned and personally managed by Michael & Geraldine Rosney since 1992. In that time, their charming little hotel has become a home from home for many repeat guests from all over the world. With just 23 bedrooms, the property is beautifully set in an acre of its own manicured gardens, and less than a 10 minute drive from the centre of Ireland’s most vibrant town, Killarney. e Killeen House is home to Rozzers Restaurant, acknowledged to be one of the finest dining experiences in the Kerry region. Complimentary car-parking, and complimentary wifi throughout the building are just two more great reasons to choose the Killeen House for your Irish vacation. A truly special little place!

Call: +353 64 6631711 email: [email protected] www.killeenhousehotel.com The Great North West No trip to Ireland would be complete without a visit to the North West, with its warm hospitality, stunning landscapes and effortless charm. By David Gorman

It’s a warm- hearted place, , CO MAYO

The beginning of The area is serviced mainly by the planet’ by the prestigious it is wilderness…world-class but wilderness the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s West Airport Knock National Geographic wilderness. We think it’s due a Dunfanaghy, where always feels just a Ireland’s northwest is in Mayo for international magazine. The magazine big year.” Dunfanaghy Golf T a wild journey through travellers, while there is also editor, Pat Riddell, had this to Some of the filming for Club is located, and stone’s throw away. authentic Ireland. an airport in Donegal for a say about the county. Star Wars took place in the the Walk. Counties Donegal, Mayo and Sligo more direct trip to the north. “We considered many Inishowen Peninsula and that It is a magnificent And it is wilderness… are renowned for their tourism The area is easily accessible at destinations for our Cool List is where the world will be 200-metre rock face, and offer spectacular views of the less than a two hours’ drive 2017, but we felt Donegal was watching this July when the scored by ledges on world-class Atlantic Ocean. Just ask three-time from Shannon Airport and in a real sweet spot – off-radar European Tour will, of course, which perch countless wilderness major winner Pádraig Harrington. less than a three hours’ drive and hard to access, but on the bring the Dubai Duty Free gulls and small numbers of “The scenery in the North West from Dublin Airport. cusp of a breakthrough. Irish Open to Inishowen. The puffins. of Ireland, say Donegal and Sligo, is There are great “On the one hand, you Glashedy Links, one of two The main urban area in what many people imagine Ireland accommodation options have big pushes like the Wild fine links courses at Ballyliffin Donegal is Letterkenny, to be like. My advice is to stick with in this region that is made Atlantic Way and the recent Golf Club, will play host. and it is near the wonderful the B&B’s in that part of the country for tourism from authentic visit of Star Wars; on the other The Inishowen Peninsula and to more superb coastline because you’ll get great value. They cottages to five-star resorts. you only have to drive a few features the most northerly National Park, which is the and beaches in Sligo at have great golf courses up there with Check out the Fáilte Ireland miles to have a beach or a point of the island, Malin perfect summer retreat for Mullaghmore with its ocean a bit more rugged countryside.” website for more: road completely to yourself. Head, also named Banba’s peaceful walks. views and a skyline dominated There are 34 golf courses in www.wildatlanticway.com. “It’s a warm-hearted place, Crown, Banba being one of The county is known for by the monolithic shape of Donegal, Mayo and Sligo, with a Just last year, Donegal was but wilderness always feels the mythical queens of Ireland. its spectacular cliffs and none Ben Bulben mountain. host of cultural activities to enjoy. named the ‘coolest place on just a stone’s throw away. And It was built by the British in are bigger than Ben Bulben dominates 1805 as a Napoleonic lookout in the south-west corner of Sligo’s skyline, and was tower to help defend against Donegal, Ireland’s highest sea considered integral in Nobel a possible French invasion. It cliffs. Experience the local laureate W.B. Yeats’ work. He also features the highest sand culture, heritage and people of was inspired by the scenery dunes in Europe. Donegal against the backdrop in Sligo, where he spent his Check out the Doagh of the stunning and rugged childhood summers. His final Famine Village, also in the coastline. poem published was about the Inishowen Peninsula, a A trip to Slieve League and mountain and he is buried in museum which tells the story a round of golf in Murvagh Drumcliff Churchyard, in the of those in the Great Famine or the magnificent Narin & shadow of Ben Bulben. in Donegal in the 1840s. Portnoo is certainly possible The 10th and 11th holes Learn how these people have in the one day. of the great links at County adapted and survived to their Head south towards Sligo Sligo Golf Club, host of environment as it has changed and you will come to the the famous West of Ireland from generation to generation. surfing enclaves of Bundoran amateur tournament each As well as Ballyliffin, there and Rossnowlagh with their year, offer excellent views of are great courses such as spine-tingling waves from the the mountain. The village and Portsalon, Greencastle and Atlantic Ocean. Bundoran surrounding peninsula feature Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Golf Club is in the popular a number of lighthouses. Resort, with stunning views seaside town of Bundoran, Visit the Lissadell House in overlooking Sheephaven Bay. where the Sea Sessions music Sligo, a neo-classical Greek Head west of the North festival is held each year.. revivalist style country house, coast and you’ll come to KNOCKNAREA,, CO SLIGO Head just 15 minutes overlooking Drumcliff Bay CULDAFF BEACH, INISHOWEN PENINSULA, CO. DONEGAL the beautiful and remote down the road and you come Sligo town is the second

146 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 147 Westport is Galway’s Top Rated Golf Course one of the best WESTPORT, CO. MAYO places in Ireland for a great welcome and lots largest urban centre in the West one of Ireland’s most popular blue flag of Ireland. It is a great place to family holiday destinations. beaches of craic and ceol and base yourself for a trip to the Rory McIlroy hit the world and its West. It is a vibrant town with a headlines in 2017 when he proximity to has been voted the great variety of award-winning got married in Mayo, and the Connemara, restaurants, and a lively music terrific will Achill and Best Place to Live scene. always hold a place in his heart. Croagh There is fantastic value on This luxury medieval castle is Patrick make it in Ireland food and drink, where pubs on the shore of Lough Corrib, an ideal base for are packed to the rafters with and has hosted the likes of King holidaymakers to tour live music. Cultural attractions George V, John Lennon, Brad the region, and indeed in the town include the Sligo Pitt and Prince Rainier III of play golf, with Westport Golf ★ ★ WINNERS ★ ★ Abbey, with its renaissance . Club nearby. Society Bookings carvings, a well-preserved Mayo is a large county with Just eight kilometres from apparition of the Blessed Virgin cloister and sculptured 1400s many things to do and many Westport is Croagh Patrick, Mary in 1879. altar in a 13th-century friary. great courses to play. Mayo’s a 764 metre mountain that is The West of Ireland is a now open for 2018 Not far from the main town greatest course is the remote but an important pilgrimage site special place, and inspired not is Strandhill, the large coastal world-class Carne Links, one of for Christians, who honour only W.B. Yeats but writers that village that is home to a fine the most westerly points on the our patron saint, . included Louis MacNeice and Come and play the course that this year hosted the links course and marvellous entire island. According to tradition, Saint J.M. Synge as well. For Years, beaches. Much of the terrain Carne is near Ireland’s biggest Patrick fasted and prayed on it was the mountains, lakes and Bi-Annual Carey Cup, Connacht Team Finals, consists of marram (covered off-shore island, . the summit for forty days in the lore of the place that moved him Connacht Boys Open plus more big events. dunes) and it is a popular area Achill is a historic place where year 441. to write poetry. “I will arise and with surfers. This leads to a human settlements are believed Flying into Ireland’s West go now, and go to Innisfree”, lively spot with great bars and to have been established around Airport Knock leaves the whole Yeats wrote. restaurants along by the coast. 3000 BC. The island retains a county accessible and Knock It is time to arise and visit the There is a lot more to do in striking natural beauty, and the village is famous for being a unspoiled and rugged beauty of Strandhill than just surfing and Achill Atlantic Drive is one of Roman Catholic pilgrimage the North-West of Ireland. golf, and you should check out the best in Ireland. site, which commemorates the Knocknarea, a high limestone You can pass from Achill to hill that is visually striking in the popular town of Westport appearance. Atop lies Queen via the Great Western Greenway Maeve Cairn, 55 metres in rail trail, which runs along the diameter by 10 metres high. coast of Clew Bay. An estimated Folklore says it was built for 300 people cycle and walk the the mythical Iron Age Queen trail each day. Maeve, whose father, the Westport is one of the best , gave her places in Ireland for a great Connacht as a gift. welcome and lots of craic and One of Ireland’s finest links ceol and has been voted the courses, Enniscrone Golf Club is Best Place to Live in Ireland, Only 10 minutes drive from Galway City, on the wild Atlantic Way beside Renville Park and Woods on your Wild Atlantic Way into according to . ACHILL ATLANTIC DRIVE Mayo, and the seaside town is The pubs, the restaurants, the Enquiries 091 790 711 • Web: www.galwaybaygolfresort.com

148 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide

Galway Bay 133 FP ART.indd 1 06/12/2017 10:48 Counties in this section: Armagh, Down, Antrim, Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh Home to major champions and major golf courses, Northern Ireland is a destination at the heart of the game’s past, present and future and one that every golfer should experience. Northern Ireland

or a small country, golf courses to be found Northern Ireland anywhere in the world F punches far above and many of the game’s its weight on greatest players have the global golf stage, having trodden their hallowed produced three champions fairways down the with six Major titles between years. them in the last decade – Rory While the land of the McIlroy, Graeme McDowell Giant’s Causeway and Darren Clarke. has been something Its success is no coincidence, of a slumbering giant however. Underpinning as a golf destination in that are some of the finest comparison with its

ROYAL COUNTY DOWN

150 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 151 NORTHERN IRELAND

neighbours up until now, it has been roused under the increasing glare of the golfing world’s spotlight thanks to its superstar venues. Royal Portrush and Royal County Down are rated among the best in the world for their championship links with the latter, just an hour south of Belfast, topping the world’s 100 greatest courses rankings by Golf Digest in 2016. Royal Portrush, on the Causeway Coast, will focus the global spotlight on Northern Ireland even more when it hosts the Open Championship in 2019 for the second time. Nearby Portstewart, another celebrated links course, also helped raise the bar when it staged the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in July 2017, attracting a host of golf stars with its purse of £5.5 million and providing Spain’s Jon Rahm with his first European Tour victory. Golfers from all over the world make a spiritual pilgrimage to play Northern Ireland’s celebrated Royal links championship courses and There are both have a distinguished pedigree. three golf Golf legends Old Tom Morris, Harry resorts in Northern Colt and all put their Ireland, all of them stamp on Royal County Down’s offering extensive Championship Links. Old Tom golf facilities as well as Morris was brought in to accommodation, bars, extend the original nine holes to 18 restaurants and through dunes below recreational the Mourne Mountains in 1889, for the princely activities sum of £4, while Harry Vardon and Harry Colt subsequently made changes, some holes later modified by Donald Steel. Besides the Irish Open, it has hosted many top tournaments, among them eight Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championships, the Curtis Cup in 1968 and the in 2007. Its par-66 ROE PARK RESORT Annesley course is also highly rated. Founded in 1898 with two 18-hole courses, ’s Play Northern Ireland may be famed welcomed world leaders including Barack a mud skin treatment for two followed by a The region boasts several celebrated Dunluce Links was redesigned for its championship links golf but it also Obama, Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel couples massage. centenarians outside of Belfast. by Harry Colt in 1932 and has hosted the possesses glorious parkland courses. and David Cameron when it hosted the G8 Although not connected, Galgorm Resort They include: Massereene Golf Club, Open once before, in 1951, when Max Beyond capital Belfast’s five parkland summit in 2013. & Spa is close by for those playing golf at established in 1895 and offering a Faulkner won. Its 17th and 18th holes beauties there’s a wealth of inland courses Roe Park Resort lies in the beautiful Galgorm Castle Golf Club and it features challenging course on the shore of Lough have been replaced by spectacular new 7th for golfers to play throughout the region. surroundings of the Roe Valley Country a new riverside Thermal Village. A couples Neagh; Newtownstewart Golf Club, TITANIC - BELFAST and 8th holes, borrowed from an area of Some of them are at golf resorts where the Park. It is just a short drive from 2019 package includes bubbly and truffles on founded in 1914 and laid out through duneland spanned by two holes of its sister fairways are just steps away from your Open Championship venue Royal Portrush arrival, use of the Thermal Village and a venerable oaks and beech trees in the Valley course, to allow for the spectator room, while others are unsung jewels just and other top links layouts as well as Deluxe Duo treatment, with optional four- Estate, home of the Duke of village area at the 2019 Open. The new waiting to be discovered by visitors. the Causeway Coast’s world-class visitor course meal and a cocktail or glass of wine. Abercorn; Tandragee Golf Club, dating Golf Club links hugs the rocky shore and holes opened for play to critical acclaim There are three golf resorts in Northern attractions, among them the Giant’s Galgorm Castle Golf Club is laid out back to 1911 on the Duke of Manchester’s cliffs, with several holes offering views in June 2017. Other tournaments it has Ireland, all of them offering extensive golf Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage through mature wooded grounds in the Estate with bunkers including some across the bay to Coney Island. Golfers can hosted include the Irish Open four times facilities as well as accommodation, bars, Site. Its par-3 6th hole recently underwent heart of the 220-acre Galgorm Castle Estate, resembling America’s Great Lakes that were enjoy the craic after their round in the bar of and the Senior British Open six times. restaurants, recreational activities – and extensive work including a new two-tier alongside its 17th century castle. It stages designed by the Cincinnati-born Duchess of the oldest clubhouse in the world, originally Royal Portrush also offers the par-70 Valley full-service spas with massage treatments, to green as part of £1 million renovations the annual Northern Ireland Open, part of Manchester; and Omagh Golf Club, which built as a castle over 600 years ago and with course. help ease those aching muscles after a round to the course. Facilities also include an the European Tour’s Challenge Tour. More was extended from a nine-hole course built cannons pointing out over the fairways just It may not have the royal monicker, but or prepare the body for the next golfing academy and high-tech indoor teaching than 40,000 people watched the free-to- in 1910 to 18 holes in 1983. in front. , just 15 minutes from foray. studio. enter tournament in 2017, a record for the Other gems include County Down golf Kirkistown Castle Golf Club, on the Royal Portrush, has 54 holes of links golf Resort opened in 2010 and Formerly a stately country house dating tour. clubs Rockmount, St Patrick’s, Warrenpoint, , is the closest links course and boasts one of Ireland’s most modern has 120 rooms, suites and loughside lodges. to 1729, Roe Park Resort’s four-star hotel Among Northern Ireland’s best-kept Edenmore and 36-hole Clandeboye, County to Belfast and was designed by legendary clubhouses, completed in 2009. Its Strand Its Thai Spa offers a dual treatment room opened in 1995 and offers 118 rooms golfing secrets, Kilkeel Golf Club is a Antrim’s Lisburn Golf Club and Country architect James Braid, while Ballycastle Course, venue for the 2017 Dubai Duty ideal for couples, with treatments including and suites, two restaurants, including its picturesque parkland layout at the foot of Tyrone’s Dungannon Golf Club. Golf Club, a mix of parkland and links, lies Free Irish Open, is set amidst towering a two-hour Golfers Tonic massage. The restored 18th century Coach House, and a the Mourne Mountains in the far south-west Several excellent seaside courses lie in the opposite Rathlin Island on the Causeway dunes between the Atlantic and the River resort’s Catalina Restaurant is named after spa that is a teaching academy for Elemis. that has played host to qualifiers for the shadows of renowned venues. Just around Coast alongside the ruins of 500-year-old Bann and its opening hole is regarded by the World War II flying boats that were The resort offers a Couples Escape package British Amateur and Senior British Open the coast from the celebrated Royal County Bonamargy Friary. Cairndhu Golf Club is a many as the best in Ireland. based on Lough Erne. Lough Erne Resort that includes dinner, bed and breakfast plus events. Down, the short but spectacular Ardglass parkland course with several holes right by

152 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 153 NORTHERN IRELAND the sea, its signature, par-3 2nd hole ending the aptly-named restaurant and bar of its When For special offers go to www.ireland.com/golf in a green perched on a rocky headland. modern clubhouse, The View, looking out However, few courses can match the across the course to the Black Mountains, the golf is historic connection enjoyed by Foyle Golf complete with outdoor terrace. Centre, on the outskirts of Derry below the Malone Golf Club, only five miles done, enjoy the Donegal Hills. Its championship parkland (8km) from the city centre, lies in 330 course is named after aviation pioneer acres of mature wooded parkland on the nightlife of a once- Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo Ballydrain Estate and its clubhouse – the Northern across the Atlantic. She made an emergency 200-year-old former manor house troubled city that landing at the end of her historic – is reached via a tree-lined 16 6 has been transformed Ireland 77 Ballycastle flight in 1932 on what is drive. Comprising 22, 71, 72 Portrush now the 6th green of the three nine-hole 43 in little more than a Coleraine Earhart Course. layouts, two of Cushendun Meanwhile in the them forming its decade and is now 30 Cushendall region’s capital, championship Ballymoney 74 Limavaddy 15 Belfast, few cities 18 course with one of Europe’s 41 38 offer such a the other 24 Carnlough choice of quality including friendliest Derry Kilrea 51, 62 Dungiven golf courses on junior tees, its 8 17 its doorstep centrepiece Larne Ballymena 55 as Northern is a 27-acre 42 Ireland’s capital, lake that 82 Strabane 66 7 87 Whitehead and they include comes into Holywood Golf Club’s course is short but Ballyclare Magherafelt Carrickfergus the home course play on four it produced a mercurial champion in Rory 85 19 63 Antrim of triple Major of its closing McIlroy, the young McIlroy honing his skills 67 Newtownstewart 44, 45 47 1 11, 18, 46, 75 champion, Rory holes. The on Holywood’s hilly fairways and greens. 23 Bangor McIlroy. club hosted Rory is still a member, as is his father, and Cookstown 13, 25, 40, 48 50 31 Donaghadee Its most prestigious the Irish Senior he often drops in to see old friends when he Belfast 21, 53, 69, 78 68 Omagh parkland courses all lie PORTSTEWART Championship in is back in Northern Ireland. 9, 12, 79 within a 15-minute drive 2017. Belfast’s five premier parkland clubs 39 Dungannon 34 35, 54, 56, 61, 65 60 of the city centre. That makes Northern Ireland’s – Belvoir Park, Malone, Royal Belfast, Dromore 80 32 73, 84 a short break in the city combining oldest royal club, the Royal Shandon Park and Holywood – have Beleek Irvinestown 5 Lurgan 36, 59 3, 52 golf, sightseeing and soaking up the sounds, Belfast Golf Club, lies alongside Belfast combined to stage an annual tournament Aughnacloy Portadown 29 Ballinahinch Portaferry culture, nightlife and culinary scene a very Lough, the main seaway into the city’s open to visiting men and women golfers 58 70 10 81 attractive proposition. harbour. Seven holes look over the lough, 20, 57 Enniskillen 26 Tandragee to showcase the city’s golf, in conjunction 83 33 28 Armagh Banbridge Downpatrick And when the golf is done, enjoy the the 9th green and 10th fairway playing with Tourism Northern Ireland, Visit Belfast 37 Emyvale 14 nightlife of a once-troubled city that next to it. The course is popular with and Tourism Ireland. The 2018 Belfast 2 has been transformed in little more than golfing passengers from the cruise ships Parkland International tournament takes Monaghan Keady 76 a decade and is now one of Europe’s that regularly visit Belfast Harbour and it place from May 23-25, at Shandon Park, Derrylin 64 Newcastle friendliest, most vibrant and most hosted the 2017 Ladies’ Senior British Open Belvoir Park and Royal Belfast golf courses. Clones Newry cosmopolitan cities. It is just as lively during Amateur Championship. It costs £99 per person and places can be 4 the week as on weekends. Shandon Park’s modern clubhouse has booked on the dedicated website: www. Belfast’s golf is very close to the city’s one of the liveliest atmospheres of Belfast’s belfastparklandtournament.com 86 Warrenpoint Kilkeel heartbeat. Just three miles (5km) from golf clubs, thanks in part to its many non- Away from the fairways, the striking £77 27 49 its centre, Belvoir Park Golf Club is the golfing social members as leafy Shandon million Titanic Belfast attraction, which nearest course to the city. Yet golfers feel Park suburb has no other drinking or dining opened in 2012, a century after the RMS a world away from the metropolis, both establishments. Its course is known for its Titanic hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage on its fairways, edged by large trees, and tight fairways lined by trees and shrubs. and sank, was named the world’s leading tourist attraction at the World Travel A-Z GOLF COURSES IN Awards in December 2016. NORTHERN IRELAND Other options include Belfast City Hall for its exhibition charting the history of the 1. Antrim 23. City of Belfast 45. Greenisland 66. Moyola Park city, a tour of the once-infamous Crumlin 2. Ardglass 24. City of Derry 46. Helen’s Bay 67. Newtownstewart Road Gaol, now a tourist attraction 3. Ardminnan 25. Clandeboye 47. Hilton 68. Omagh documenting its 150-year history, and a tour of the city’s powerful political and 4. Ashfield 26. Clogher Valley Templepatrick 69. Ormeau historical street-art murals, some framed 5. Aughnacloy 27. Cloverhill 48. Holywood 70. Portadown by the towering, landmark gantry cranes of 6. Ballycastle 28. Co Armagh 49. Kilkeel 71. Portstewart the Harland and Wolff shipyard, known as 7. Ballyclare 29. Crossgar 50. Killymoon 72. Rathmore Samson and Goliath. 8. Ballymena 30. Cushendall 51. Kilrea 73. Rockmount The city offers excellent shopping, 9. Balmoral 31. Donaghadee 52. Kirkistown Castle 74. Roe Park and there are fantastic wining and dining 10. Banbridge 32. Down Royal 53. Knock 75. Royal Belfast options, especially in Belfast’s city-centre Cathedral Quarter, which is eminently 11. Bangor 33. Downpatrick 54. Lambeg 76. Royal Co Down walkable as is the adjacent Linen Quarter, 12. Belvoir Park 34. Dungannon 55. Larne 77. Royal Portrush regarded as one of its most exciting up and 13. Blackwood 35. Dunmurry 56. Lisburn 78. Scrabo coming areas. From bistros and gourmet 14. Bright Castle 36. Edenmore 57. Lough Erne 79. Shandon Park coffee bars to gastro pubs, Belfast has it all. 15. Brown Trout 37. Enniskillen 58. Loughgall 80. Silverwood Besides being perfect for a golfing city 16. Bushfoot 38. Faughan Valley 59. Lurgan 81. Spa break, Belfast can also be a base for playing 17. Cairndhu 39. Fintona 60. Mahee Island 82. Strabane golf in other parts of Northern Ireland. Royal County Down is less than an hour 18. Carnalea 40. Fortwilliam 61. Malone 83. Tandragee away and host 19. Carrickfergus 41. Foyle 62. Manor 84. Temple Royal Portrush is barely more than an 20. Castle Hume 42. Galgorm Castle 63. Massereene 85. Traad Ponds hour’s drive, with other courses also within 21. Castlereagh Hills 43. Gracehill 64. Mayobridge 86. Warrenpoint easy reach. 22. Castlerock 44. Greenacres 65. Mount Ober 87. Whitehead One thing’s for sure: a golfing visit CASTLEROCK GOLF CLUB to Northern Ireland will leave titanic More information on North courses at www.ireland.com/golf memories.

154 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 155 THE TITANIC EXPERIENCE BELFAST Titanic Belfast is the world’s biggest Titanic exhibition remembering the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. Explore the ship that the award-winning 1997 film is based upon. www.titanicbelfast.com THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY CO. ANTRIM Legend has it that this area of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns was built by an Irish giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The result of an ancient volcanic eruption, this is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions. So popular Lonely Planet has named Belfast and the Causeway Coast 2018’s number one region to visit. ADVERTwww.giantscausewayofficialguide.com

GAME OF THRONES TOUR CRUMLIN ROAD GAOL BELFAST BELFAST Just 40 minutes from Belfast, visit 20 key filming locations of The Crumlin Road Gaol the world-acclaimed TV show, including Winterfell Castle, dates back to 1845 and closed it’s doors as a working prison in Robb’s Camp and more. You will trek deep into old growth 1996. The gaol has re opened as a visitor attraction and today forests, along wild sea cliffs, across rocky beaches into caves you can take a guided tour of the prison. and medieval ruins only 40 minutes from Belfast. www.crumlinroadgaol.com www.gameofthronestours.com OLD BUSHMILLS CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE DISTILLERY CO. ANTRIM CO. ANTRIM Connected to the cliffs by One of the most popular spots a rope bridge suspended along the Antrim Coast is the 100ft (30m) above the small village of Bushmills, site of Atlantic Ocean, Carrick- the world’s oldest (legal) distillery. a-Rede Island (home The whiskey is made with Irish to a single building – a barley and water from St Columb’s fisherman’s cottage) is the Rill, a tributary of the River Bush, final destination. The spine- and matured in oak barrels. Following the distillery tour you tingling views at Carrick-a- get the chance to taste what the fuss is all about. Rede must be experienced. www.bushmills.com www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ carrick-a-rede

THE MARBLE ARCH CAVES CO. FERMANAGH This Global Geopark features a series of natural limestone caves located in County Fermanagh. Journey underground and prepare to be awe inspired. Visitors are guided through a fascinating natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers. www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com BLACK TAXI TOUR

EXPERIENCES AND ATTRACTIONS BELFAST West Belfast, the neighbourhood that for three decades was at the heart of the conflict known as ‘,’ is now perfectly safe to visit, and the best way to do so is on a black taxi tour. The cabs visit the more spectacular murals as well as the Peace Line (where you can write a message on the wall) and other significant sites. www.belfasttours.com

156 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 157 Northern Ireland Made for Golf

Home to world class golfers, events and Across the country, a supporting cast of Courses, it’s an exciting time for golf in superb parkland and links courses offer a Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle Northern Ireland. Take Royal Portrush, range of challenges for golfers of all levels. for example, home of The Open in 2019. Build in the legendary warmth of our It just doesn’t get any bigger! welcome and reputation for fabulous food and you have a real golf experience for the On top of that we’ve also played host to the visitor. Make sure Northern Ireland is in 2017 Irish Open at Portstewart, and the your itinerary for 2018 and beyond. 2015 Irish Open at Royal County Down – the World’s best golf course in 2016 according to Golf Digest.

Malone Golf Club, Belfast Lough Erne Golf Resort , Enniskillen Ardglass Golf Club, Co. Down

For fabulous Stay & Play offers visit:

Royal Portrush Golf Course, Causeway Coast Galgorm Castle Golf Club, Ballymena the ULTIMATE GOLF DESTINATION

Visit TiTanic BelfasT Birthplace of rMS titanic

titanic Belfast features nine interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of titanic. Experience the shipyard, walk the decks, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the true legend of titanic in the city where it all began, Belfast, Northern ireland. do c “I’ve played on every continent and I can honestly say I am al ou f r e s overwhelmed by the location and beauty of the Lough Erne Resort” h e t SIR NICK FALDO www.lougherneresort.com T: +44(0)28 6632 3230 E: [email protected] Belleek Road, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, BT93 7ED Book Now at TiTanicBelfasT.cOM

CAUSEWAY COAST GOLF Discover a land of giant adventure Where golfing greats are made and legends explored

Visit Ireland’s scenic north coast and experience

Ardglass Golf Club Crossgar Golf Club Spa Golf Club 18 hole links course / par 70 9 hole parkland / par 64 18 hole parkland / par 72 Europe’s largest amateur golf tournment. Castle Pl, Ardglass 231 Derryboye Road 20 Grove Road Downpatrick BT30 7TP Crossgar BT30 9DL Ballynahinch BT24 8PN www.ardglassgolfclub.com www.crossgargolfclub.com www.spagolfclub.net

Ashfield Golf Course Kilkeel Golf Club St Patrick’s Golf Club 18 hole parkland / par 69 18 hole parkland / par 72 18 hole parkland / par 69 44 Cregganduff Road Mourne Park 43 Saul Road PLAY FOUR GREAT LINKS COURSES Cullyhanna BT35 0NA Kilkeel BT34 4LB Downpatrick BT30 6PA www.ashfieldgolfcourse.com www.kilkeelgolfclub.com www.stpatricksgolfclub.com FOR ONLY £230 Bright Castle Golf Club Mayobridge Golf Club Warrenpoint Golf Club 18 hole parkland / par 69 18 hole parkland / par 67 18 hole parkland / par 71 14 Coniamstown Road 50 Crossan Road Lower Dromore Road Bright, Downpatrick BT308UL Mayobridge BT34 2HY Warrenpoint BT34 3NL 4th to 8th June 2018 www.brightcastlegolfclub.com www.mayobridgegolf.com www.warrenpointgolf.com For more information contact: Cloverhill Golf Club Mourne Golf Club Newry Visitor Information Centre, Bagenal's Castle, Castle Street, 18 hole parkland / par 70 18 hole Newry (+44) 28 3031 3170 10 Lough Road Golf Links Road For futher details contact info@causewaycoast golf.com Email: [email protected] Mullaghbawn BT35 9XP Newcastle BT33 0AN www.cloverhillgolfclub.co.uk 18 hole course www.visitmournemountains.co.uk www.mournegolfclub.co.uk www.causewaycoastgolf.com No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

NORTHERN IRELAND 18

Superb greens, stunning views, and exquisite dining. Holidays for golfers by golfers since 1987. Contact our travel experts to plan your next golf trip. Call Jonathan on +44 (0)28 9751 1232 or email [email protected]

Part of the The Bryan Somers Group. www.bryansomers.co.uk

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‘ ’“” ‹Œ Ž d really matters it deserves to be seen. CASTLEROCK GOLF CLUB Castlerock Golf Club is a classic links course set amid the towering dunes on the North Coast of Ireland. Situated on the causeway coast it not only boasts some stunning views down the coastline but proves a great test of traditional links golf. The club formed in 1901 boasts two golf courses onsite, firstly The Mussenden Course which is an 18 hole championship course and rated in the top five courses in Ireland. The course designed by legendary club maker Ben Sayers and Harry Colt is a great test of golf to golfers of any level. To the testament of the course it has held many National Championships both Amateur and Professional. The Bann Course is situated on the banks of the river Bann and is a testing 9 hole Specialists in hand-crafted Irish hardwood frames course. Don’t let the fact that there is only 9 holes fool you, it is every bit of a test as its partner. With 3 restaurants an extensive wine list there is certainly no better Call +353 (0)404 43808 [email protected] ROYAL BELFAST destination to relax and enjoy some of the finest Irish Hospitality. www.perfectionframing.ie TEL: - 028 7084 8314 WEB: - WWW.CASTLEROCKGC.CO.UK

162 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide Ballycastle Golf Club ADVERTORIAL CAUSEWAY COAST Tour where you can even get to catch your own breakfast in the crystal clear waters of the Causeway Coast before you head out to the links. And if you’re feeling mythical, the ru- GOLF ined medieval castle of is only a five-minute drive away. This castle is surrounded by extremely steep drops on either side, and is famous for appear- ing as the House of Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. Northern Ireland’s most famous natural attraction, Giant’s Causeway, an ancient The Old Course, Ballyliffin volcanic eruption, the area of around Experience golf on the North Coast like you have never 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, is not reminisce with friends in this picturesque stone’s throw from Royal Portrush, the to be missed. part of the island. Distillery and the Causeway. experienced it before with the Causeway Coast Golf Tournament. Less than a 10-minute drive away from A T-bone steak at the Harbour Bar in Entrance fees are only £80 for host club Giant’s Causeway is the Bushmills Distill- Portrush each night was believed to have members, £170 for GUI residents and ery, the oldest in Ireland, which produces been the secret behind Jon Rahm’s Dubai £230 for overseas visitors, including green the smooth-tasting whiskey known all Duty Free Irish Open triumph last year, fees. The competition runs over five days, A golfing summer extravaganza, the five-day Causeway Coast Golf Tournament takes over the world. and there are many fantastic bar and with one rest day, and complimentary place over four wonderful courses on the glorious Causeway Coast, surrounding the More than anything, you will discover restaurant options along the North Coast, practice rounds may also be available the friendliness and camaraderie that including Ramore Restaurant, The Anchor at the discretion of the clubs. There are World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. comes with playing in the tournament. It Bar and Ocho Tapas Bistro. opening and closing ceremonies, with is no coincidence that many of the golfers One of Ireland’s best known luxuri- drinks receptions and prizegiving. For The largest amateur tournament in along the Atlantic shore, it is where 2010 seaside classics. are repeat business, they come back ev- ous hotels, the four-star Bushmills Inn is more information, check out www.cause- Europe, it has been running successfully US Open champion Graeme McDowell The Mussenden Links at Castlerock ery year to play these great courses and situated in an enviable location, only a waycoastgolf.com ever since 1967. A highlight of the golfing learned the game. Golf Club is set among rolling sand calendar, it has attracted upwards of 700 The Old Course at Ballyliffin has dunes, where its scenic qualities embrace golfers annually from all over the world. had the input of one of golf’s greatest the River Bann flowing out to the Atlantic. The competition is popular, not only with champions, Nick Faldo, all over it on this Another top-class links that has been Irish golfers, but players from mainland stunning 36-hole facility in Donegal. The played by the best, there are eye-catch- UK, Canada, USA, Scandinavia and conti- Old Links undulates in the glory of its ing views of Donegal and the Isle of Islay nental Europe. natural terrain, presenting a golf course towards Scotland. Taking place in the middle of the sum- that is considered among the top 20 The quality of the courses speak for mer, from 4-8 June 2018, golfer will take best courses in Ireland, according to Golf themselves, but it also offers another on four links classics in Castlerock Golf Digest. chance to visit the Causeway Coastal Club (Mussenden Links), Royal Portrush The Warren Links at Ballycastle is situ- Route. Walking tours provide the op- Golf Club (Valley Links), Ballyliffin Golf ated in an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural portunity to see the Causeway Coast on Club (Old Course) and Ballycastle Golf Beauty’ on the North Antrim coast, and foot, while Coasteering with Aquaholics Club (The Warren Links). offers a part links, part parkland course. allow you to catch the sights of the coast It comes at a special time for the North It is a spectacular stretch of coastline, – Dunluce Castle, Portrush beaches and Coast of Ireland, with the Dubai Duty with panoramic views of the like Mull of more – in a high speed boat. Free Irish Open taking place at Ballylif- Kintyre, Rathlin Island and Ballycastle With the Causeway Coast Foodie fin this year, with our national Open at Bay, which mixes flat, low-lying holes with Tours, you can take the Catch and Sea Portstewart last year. Then, of course, the world will be watching in 2019, when Royal Portrush hosts the Open Champi- onship, the first major championship to It comes at a special time for the North hit these shores in almost 70 years. Coast of Ireland, with the Dubai Duty Maybe you might slip in a round at the famous Dunluce Links, but the tourna- Free Irish Open taking place at Ballyliffin ment will be played at Royal Portrush’s fine Valley Links. Featured on the same this year, with our national Open at beautiful setting of the Causeway Coast, Portstewart last year. between the huge sand hills immediately Royal Portrush will host The Open Championship in 2019 NORTHERN IRELAND No. holes Club shop Practice Facilities Club hire Tuition Food & Drink Buggy hire

NORTHERN IRELAND 18

Club listings in Northern Ireland

Antrim Bushfoot Lurgan [email protected] 45 Castle Road, Antrim, Co Antrim 50 Bushfoot Road, Portballintrae, Demesne, Lurgan, Co Armagh 00 44 (0) 28 9081 2279 www.antrimgolfclub.com Co Antrim www.lurgangolfclub.com [email protected] www.bushfootgolfclub.co.uk [email protected] Roe Park 00 44 (0) 28 9442 9001 [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 3832 2087 Drumrane Road, Limavady, Co Derry 00 44 (0) 28 2073 1317 www.roeparkresort.com Ardglass Mahee Island [email protected] 4 Castle Place, Ardglass, Co Down Cairndhu 14 Mahee Island, Comber, Co Down 00 44 (0) 28 7772 2222 www.ardglassgolfclub.com 192 Coast Road, Ballygally, Larne, www.maheegolf.com [email protected] Co Antrim [email protected] Royal Belfast 00 44 (0) 28 4484 1219 www.cairndhugolfclub.co.uk 00 44 (0) 28 9754 1234 Station Roadm Craigavad, Co Down www.royalbelfast.com Ardminnan [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 2858 3324 Malone [email protected] 15a Ardminnan Road, Portaferry, Co Down 240 Upper Malone Road, Dunmurry, 00 44 (0) 28 9042 8165 www.ardminnan.com Belfast, Co Antrim [email protected] Carnalea Station Road, Bangor, Co Down www.malonegolfclub.co.uk Royal Co Down 00 44 (0) 28 4277 1321 www.carnaleagolfclub.com [email protected] Golf Links Road, Newcastle, Co Down 00 44 (0) 28 9061 2758 Ashfield [email protected] www.royalcountydown.org [email protected] Cullyhanna, Co Armagh 00 44 (0) 28 9127 0368 Manor www.ashfieldgolfcourse.com 00 44 (0) 28 4372 3314 69 Bridge Street, Kilrea, Co Derry [email protected] Carrickfergus www.manorhousekilrea.com 00 44 (0) 28 3086 8180 35 North Road, Carrickfergus, Royal Portrush 00 44 (0) 28 2954 0205 Co Antrim Dunluce Road, Portrush, Co Antrim Aughnacloy www.royalportrushgolfclub.com www.carrickfergusgolfclub.co.uk Massereene 99A Tullyvar Road, Aughnacloy, [email protected] [email protected] 51 Lough Road, Co Antrim Co Tyrone 00 44 (0) 28 7082 2311 00 44 (0) 28 9336 3713 www.massereene.com [email protected] [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 8555 7050 Scrabo Castle Hume 00 44 (0) 28 9442 8096 233 Scrabo Road, Newtownards,Co Down Ballycastle Belleek Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh www.castlehumegolf.com www.scrabo-golf-club.org Ballycastle, Co Antrim Mayobridge [email protected] [email protected] www.ballycastlegolfclub.com 50a Crossan Road, Mayobridge, Newry, 00 44 (0) 28 6632 7077 00 44 (0) 28 9181 2355 [email protected] Co Down 00 44 (0) 28 2076 2536 www.mayobridgegolf.com Shandon Park Castlereagh Hills [email protected] 73 Shandon Park, Belfast, Co Antrim Ballyclare Upper Braniel Road, Castlereagh, Belfast, 00 44 (0) 28 3085 0295 www.shandonpark.net 25 Springvale Road, Ballyclare, Co Antrim Co Antrim [email protected] www.ballyclaregolfclub.com www.castlereaghhills.com Mount Ober 00 44 (0) 28 9080 5034 [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 9044 8477 24 Ballymaconaghy Road, Knockbracken, 00 44 (0) 28 9332 2696 Belfast, Co Antrim Castlerock www.mountober.com Silverwood Ballymena 65 Circular Road, Castlerock, Coleraine, [email protected] Turmoyra Lane, Silverwood, Lurgan, 128 Raceview Road, Broughshane, Co Derry 00 44 (0) 28 9079 5666 Craigavon, Co Armagh Ballymena, Co Antrim www.castlerockgc.co.uk ARDGLASS GOLF CLUB www.silverwoodgolfclub.com www.ballymenagolfclub.com [email protected] Moyola Park [email protected] [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 7084 8314 15 Curran Road, Castledawson, Co Derry 00 44 (0) 28 3832 5380 00 44 (0) 28 2586 1487 www.moyolapark.com City of Belfast Cushendall Enniskillen Greenacres Kilrea [email protected] Spa Balmoral 610 Antrim Road, Newtownabbey, Antrim 21 Shore Rd, Cushendall,Co Antrim Castlecoole Road, Enniskillen, Ballyrobert, Ballyclare, Co Antrim 47a Lisnagrot Road, Kilrea, Co Derry 00 44 (0) 28 7946 8468 20 Grove Road, Ballynahinch, Co Down 518 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Co Antrim www.cityofbelfastgolfclub.com www.cushendallgolfclub.com Co Fermanagh www.greenacres-golfclub.co.uk www.kilreagolfclub.co.uk www.spagolfclub.net www.balmoralgolf.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.enniskillengolfclub.com [email protected] [email protected] Newtownstewart [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 2954 0044 38 Golf Course Road, Newtownstewart, 00 44 (0) 28 9756 2365 00 44 (0) 28 908 43799 00 44 (0) 28 2177 1318 [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 9335 4111 00 44 (0) 28 9038 1514 Omagh, Co Tyrone 00 44 (0) 28 6632 5250 City of Derry Kirkistown Castle newtownstewartgolfclub.com Strabane Banbridge Donaghadee Greenisland 142 Main Road, Cloughey, Co Down 49 Victoria Road, Prehen, Co Derry [email protected] 33 Ballycolman Road, Strabane, 116 Huntly Road, Banbridge, Co Down 84 Warren Road, Donaghadee, Co Down Faughan Valley Greenisland, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim www.linksgolfkirkistown.com www.cityofderrygolfclub.com www.donaghadeegolfclub.com 00 44 (0) 28 8166 1466 Co Tyrone www.banbridgegolfclub.com 8a Carmoney Rd, Co Derry www.greenislandgolfclub.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.strabanegolfclub.co.uk [email protected] faughanvalleygolfclub.co.uk [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 4277 1233 00 44 (0) 28 7134 6369 Omagh [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 4066 2211 00 44 (0) 28 9188 3624 [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 9086 2236 83a Dublin Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone 00 44 (0) 28 7138 2271 00 44 (0) 28 7186 0707 Knock Bangor Clandeboye Down Royal Summerfield, Dundonald, Co Antrim www.omaghgolf.co.uk Helen’s Bay [email protected] Broadway, Bangor, Co Down Tower Road, Conlig, Newtownards, Dunygarton Road, Maze, Lisburn, Fintona www.knockgolfclub.co.uk Tandragee Co Down Bangor, Co Down [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 8224 3160 Markethill Road, Tandragee, Co Armagh www.bangorgolfclubni.co.uk Co Antrim 1 Kiln Street, Fintona, Co Tyrone www.cgc-ni.com www.helensbaygc.com 00 44 (0) 28 904 83251 www.tandragee.co.uk [email protected] www.downroyalgolf.com www.fintonagolfclub.com Ormeau 00 44 (0) 28 9127 0922 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Lambeg 50 Park Road, Belfast, Co Antrim 00 44 (0) 28 9127 1767 00 44 (0) 28 9262 1339 00 44 (0) 28 9185 2815 00 44 (0) 28 3884 1272 00 44 (0) 28 8284 1480 Bell’s Lane, Lambeg, Lisburn, Co Antrim www.ormeaugolfclub.co.uk Belvoir Park www.lambeggolfclub.co.uk 73-75 Church Road, Newtownbreda, Clogher Valley Downpatrick Hilton Templepatrick [email protected] Temple Fortwilliam [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 9064 0700 Belfast, Co Antrim 476a Belfast Road, Fivemiletown, 43 Saul Road, Dowlanpatrick, Co Down Templepatrick, Co Antrim 60 Church Road, Boardmills, Lisburn, 8a Downview Ave, Belfast, Co Antrim 00 44 (0) 28 9266 2738 www.belvoirparkgolfclub.com Co Tyrone downpatrickgolfclub.org.uk hiltontemplepatrickgolf.com Co Antrim www.fortwilliamgc.co.uk Portadown [email protected] www.cloghervalleygc.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] Larne www.templegolf.com [email protected] , Co Antrim 192 Gilford Road, Portadown, Co Armagh 00 44 (0) 28 9049 1693 [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 4461 5947 00 44 (0) 28 9443 5500 [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 9037 0770 www.portadowngolfclub.co.uk 00 44 (0) 28 8952 1739 www.larnegolfclub.co.uk 00 44 (0) 28 9263 9213 Blackwood [email protected] Dungannon Holywood [email protected] 150 Crawfordsburn Road, Bangor, 00 44 (0) 28 9338 2228 00 44 (0) 28 3835 5356 Cloverhill 34 Springfield Lane, Dungannon, Foyle Traad Ponds Co Down 76 Demesne Road, Holywood, Co Down Lough Road, Mullaghbawn, Co Armagh Co Tyrone 12 Alder Road, Derry, Co Derry 122a Shore Road, Magherafelt, Co Derry www.blackwoodgolfcentre.com www.foylegolfclub.co.uk www.holywoodgolfclub.co.uk Lisburn Portstewart www.cloverhillgolfclub.co.uk www.dungannongolfclub.com Blaris Lodge, 68 Eglantine Road, Lisburn, 117 Strand Road, Portstewart, Co Derry www.traadponds.com [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Co Antrim www.portstewartgc.co.uk [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 9185 2706 00 44 (0) 28 7135 2222 00 44 (0) 28 9042 3135 00 44 (0) 28 3088 9374 00 44 (0) 28 8772 2098 www.lisburngolfclub.com [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 7941 8942 Bright Castle Kilkeel [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 7083 2015 Co Armagh Dunmurry Galgorm Castle 00 44 (0) 28 9267 7216 Warrenpoint 14 Coniamstown Road, Bright, Mourne Park, Ballyardle, Kilkeel, Co Down 7 Newry Road, Armagh,Co Armagh 91 Dunmurry Lane, Belfast, Co Antrim 200 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, Co Antrim Rathmore Warrenpoint, Co Down Downpatrick, Co Down www.kilkeelgolfclub.org Lough Erne www.golfarmagh.co.uk www.dunmurrygolfclub.co.uk www.galgormcastle.com Bushmills Road, Portrush, Co Antrim www.warrenpointgolf.com www.brightcastlegolfclub.co.uk [email protected] Belleek Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rathmoregolfclub.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] www.lougherneresort.com 00 44 (0) 28 3752 5861 00 44 (0) 28 9061 0834 00 44 (0) 28 2564 6161 00 44 (0) 28 4176 5095 00 44 (0) 28 4175 3695 00 44 (0) 28 448 41319 [email protected] [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 7082 2996 Brown Trout Crossgar Edenmore Gracehill Killymoon 00 44 (0) 28 6632 3230 Whitehead 209 Agivey Road, Co Derry 231 DerryBoy Road, Crossgar, 70 Drumnabreeze Road, Co Down Stranocum, Ballymoney, Co Antrim 200 Killymoon Road, Co Tyrone Loughgall Rockmount McCrae’s Brae, Whitehead, Co Antrim www.browntroutinn.com Downpatrick, Co Down www.edenmore.com www.gracehillgolfclub.co.uk www.killymoongolfclub.com 11-14 Main Street, Loughgall, Co Armagh 28 Drumalig Road, Carryduff, Belfast, www.whiteheadgolfclub.com [email protected] www.crossgargolfclub.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.loughgallgolfclub.co.uk Co Antrim [email protected] 00 44 (0) 28 7086 8209 00 44 (0) 28 4483 1523 00 44 (0) 28 9261 9241 00 44 (0) 28 2075 1209 00 44 (0) 28 8676 3762 00 44 (0) 28 3889 2900 www.rockmountgolfclub.com 00 44 (0) 28 9337 0820

166 The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide The 2018 Official Fáilte Ireland Golf Guide 167

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