Ireland newbie

I'm going on a family trip (grandparents wedding anniversary) that's not supposed to be a golf trip, but the men and gonna get some rounds in. We're gonna be in Co. Kerry for the first week, then Dublin. I wasn't in charge of booking golf in Kerry so I don't know where we're playing except for Parknasilla in Sneem, which is the place we're staying at. I have heard that we are probably going to play that along with Dooks and Waterville (most likely). I booked Druids Glen, The Island, and Howth for when we go East. I've never been there before, so could anyone give me any info on these courses, local pubs (around Sneem or Dublin), or anything else to do, bring, etc. Thanks

I live next to kerry
Kerry has some of the most beatidul links courses in all of ireland.
Don't bother with the big names (unless you have the money) like lahinch. It's 3rd in ireland but it's expensive to play. It's worth it if you have the cash.
There's also a load of small links courses dotted around the place, they'll give you all the thrills and spills of the expensive courses for less than a third of the price.

A lot of the big courses try to attract tourists, if you want to go there fine. But if you want to experience real links golf go to the small courses or Lahinch.

For parkland there's only 1 place to go. It's around an hour away from you in clare. "Dromolan Golf Course" nicest course I've ever played. Beautiful views and it isn't too expensive.

I wasn't in charge of booking golf in Kerry so I don't know where we're playing except for Parknasilla in Sneem, which is the place we're staying at. I have heard that we are probably going to play that along with Dooks and Waterville (most likely).

http://www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie/faq.html
http://oldhead.com/golf/course-overview/
http://www.doonbeggolfclub.com/golf.html
http://www.lahinchgolf.com/index.php
http://traleegolfclub.com/index.php/site/
http://www.dooks.com/pgs/welcome.html
http://www.watervillegolflinks.ie/html/frameset.html
http://www.killarney-golf.com/
http://www.fotaisland.ie/Welcome-to-...land-Golf-Club

I booked Druids Glen, The Island, and Howth for when we go East.

http://www.theeuropeanclub.com/guestfeesshop.html
http://www.portmarnock.com/golf.php
http://www.druidsglen.ie/?page=90803
http://www.theroyaldublingolfclub.co...tecaddy/site3/

Some of those you may find a little expensive but I would assume that given the opportunity to play one of the worlds best courses and realistically get a tee time might be worth it.

Just remember that you can't rely on Irish weather even in the summer!
http://www.theislandgolfclub.com/

My family is from Waterville and my cousin plays there all the time. He loves it.

Druids Glen is amazing you will love it.
Not much around it though as regards pubs though as it is pretty much in the middle of nowhere!,though there is a nice hotel down from it.
Its not in Dublin btw its in County Wicklow,where are you staying in Dublin?

Howth is a really nice place, not just the course. Think very nice seaside town.

I would play Portmarnock as well if you get the chance, it doesn't seem too expensive for the history of the place.

I've just noticed I provided a link to what seems to be a different Portmarnock: Try this one http://www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie/

Depends how much cash you want to spend, and what type of course. If you want to experience authentic links, then The Island, Portmarnock and Royal Dublin are great choices. I would pass on Howth and Druids Glen. DG is nice, but it a US style course and you can play plenty of those back stateside.

You have rich pickings and it depends on what you want to play - if you're in Parknasilla (one of the best and friendliest hotels in the country) then Waterville is very close, and Skellig Bay is nearby too. Parknasilla is a 12 hole hotel course and won't be in as good a condition as others nearby. Dooks, also fairly close has the best views of a golf course in Ireland (have a look around from the 2nd green.

Kenmare is the nearest town to Parnasilla - it's very pretty and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from - it's a popular tourist destination. Killarney is over the mountains (Moll's Gap) and is a lovely winding drive down to the lakes and Killarney town.

In Dublin, I'd agree that Druid's Glen is well worth a visit, and I don't consider it as 'American' as mjtoal suggests. You'll pay between 80 and 120 euro per golfer. It's a little out in the country, but the very lively seaside village of Greystones is five minutes (it's where I play golf), with great restaurants and pubs. If you're going that way, let me know.

There are 2 Portmarnock courses which confuses a lot of people: "Portmarnock" is the original and very old course, but it will set you back 180 euro ( www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie/ ). The other and newer course (designed by Bernard Langer) known as Portmarnock Links is http://www.portmarnock.com/golf and a round costs far less (40 to 50 euro). It is an excellent hotel, designed around golfers.

If you're after history and bragging rights, then Portmarnock or Royal Dublin are the best bets. Personally, I prefer a thrill and would choose The Island. 115 Euro

I like Howth, but it's hilly and exposed. Course condition is very good, but not up to the levels of the others. 60 euro a head too. Then again, Howth is another nice seaside village with great seafood restaurants and great views (from the golf course).

The European has been mentioned - a brilliant links, an hour south of Dublin.

If you fancy being a mountain goat, you can play probably the steepest course in Ireland and home to Padraig Harrington on the outskirts of Dublin - Stackstown.

You'll find photos of most of these courses on my Flickr page

Hope this helps

Hey Paddy................2 of us are headed to N. Ireland September 2nd through 11th and from the research I have been able to aquire, no need to play the top name tourist courses. We would rather mingle with the locals and play the "hiddden jewels". We are doing a 12 day trip on a restricted budget and was hoping you might help us out.

We are heading up to Bushmills for first 2-3 days and then thought we would just cruise around in search of budget lodging and golf. Got any recommendations up that way on lodging (don't like the hotels so much) with friendly locals and any recommended "locals" courses? We need to be over in Ballymina on the 7th and 8th to spread father's ashes. After that we are open to anything around Dublin with flights departing on September 11th. Any help would be most appreciated............maybe we can hook up and share a pint or golf together. My email is jack.smith@pcg.com.............thanks much!!!

You might enjoy this article: http://playingbogeygolf.com/ireland-...d-fishing.html

Up at Royal Portrush the Valley Links is the understudy course and quite reasonably priced.

Portstewart Strand is nearby and costs a bit more. Rathmore golf club home of the US Open Champion is very close to bushmills too and apparently not too expensive. In Belfast Belvoir Park very good value if book online. Dublin has been listed above. The cheapest courses will be £15 in the North or in the South 20 euros, most of the ones I listed are mid priced £30-£60 / euros 40-90 and the premium courses you want to avoid could be anything up to £180+

Thanks everyone..................all have been very helpful.

Looks like we are planning the following, based on where we have to be on the 8th of Sept:

3-Sep Ardglass
4-Sep Kilmarnock(Barassie) Troon
5-Sep Cairndhu Golf Club, Larne
6-Sep Portrush Valley
7-Sep Royal Portrush
8-Sep Galgorm Castle
9-Sep Galgorm Castle (they have a 2nite/2round/1dinner package...if you think it is worth playing)
10-Sep The Island

Kevin has helped us greatly and we are hoping to share a pint while we are over there.

Any comments greatly appreciated................

Almost forgot..........any thoughts on Seapoint Golf Club??

Thanks again...............

I don't know if it is set and stone but I believe that if you play the Portrush courses on the same day there is a discount overall.

Pick up a copy of "A Course Called Ireland" by Coyne for the plane trip over - it will help get you in the mood!

I found 2 other books that look interesting: Hooked: An Amateur's Guide to the Golf Couses of Ireland and

Rick Steves' Ireland with Map.............. It looks like Troon area is out for Saturday. Seems most all of the courses there don't have room for visitors on the weekend. Guess I will have to change the trip a bit.