Northern Ireland 2022

[Chigolfer2]

We are beginning planning for Northern Ireland 2022 (Probably September).  We will have 8-12 golfers and we are planning just 1 round per day.  Planning a few nights in Ballyliffin and then staying in Portrush and finishing up a night closer to Dublin.  Thoughts on our itinerary including other must play courses or substitutions.   Any insight on the towns of Ballyliffin and Portrush.  

 

Day 1: Arrive Dublin drive to Ballyliffin Play Pollan 9 holes

Day 2: Ballyliffin Old

Day 3: Ballyliffin Galshedy

Day 4: Drive to Portrush play Portstewart

Day 5: Portrush

Day 6: Castlerock or Portrush Valley  (Maybe an off day)

Day 7: Royal County Down then drive towards Dublin

Day 8: Portmarnock or The Island

[Chanceman]

See if you can get across to Ardglass near County Down. A really quirky and interesting course. 

[Chigolfer2]

21 hours ago, Chanceman said:

See if you can get across to Ardglass near County Down. A really quirky and interesting course. 

Aardglass is on our radar but we would probably have to drop a course in the current itinerary. 

[puttnforthe8]

imo - Ardglass is a better option over Valley course or Castlerock - so the drop is not that difficult a choice.  A better course and better views. 

 

Island is the better option when heading to Dublin.

[El Gringo]

11 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

imo - Ardglass is a better option over Valley course or Castlerock - so the drop is not that difficult a choice.  A better course and better views. 

 

Island is the better option when heading to Dublin.

That is saying something. Ardglass better than Portrush Valley? 

[hammergolf]

21 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

imo - Ardglass is a better option over Valley course or Castlerock - so the drop is not that difficult a choice.  A better course and better views. 

 

Island is the better option when heading to Dublin.

We are taking your advice for our trip in October (fingers crossed) and playing The Island instead of Portmarnock. Where would you recommend near the Airport to play after we get off the plane? Something not to tough and pretty friendly. I looked at Corballis but would like any other other suggestions you may have. 

[puttnforthe8]

10 hours ago, El Gringo said:

That is saying something. Ardglass better than Portrush Valley? 

Yes...that is the Valley; not Dunluce.  

 

I love the views at Ardglass and really enjoy the course.   I have played both many times; but if I had to choose btw. the 2, I would play Ardglass 7 to 8 out of 10 times.  May just be me, but I love the whole southeast area of N. Ire.  I love the waters of the coast, the Mourne mtns, town of Newcastle, smoked salmon chowder, the beers and of course Country Down.

 

I am by no means saying that Valley and Musseden are not good courses because they are.  Just my preference.  No one is going to go wrong is the nice thing.

Edited March 2, 2021 by puttnforthe8

[puttnforthe8]

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

We are taking your advice for our trip in October (fingers crossed) and playing The Island instead of Portmarnock. Where would you recommend near the Airport to play after we get off the plane? Something not to tough and pretty friendly. I looked at Corballis but would like any other other suggestions you may have. 

 

I would play Baltray (Co Louth) over Corballis for sure - based on your drive up to Ballyliffin, you are going up towards Drougheda as it is.   You will enjoy it more. It is not going to be too tough - and you could play up a box.  It's just a much better course and I feel you will be happier.  If you were doing a 36 day, for example, I would have said add Corballis....but not if it is your only round that day.  If your making the trip, might as well play as good as possible a course.  Enjoy.!!

 

When you are in Newcastle to play Country Down - head down the main street to Great Jones Craft and Kitchen....smoked salmon chowder is the best (hopefully they have it the day you are there).  Good beers and good food.  Plus the folks are great.

 

 

Edited March 2, 2021 by puttnforthe8

[Chigolfer2]

2 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

 

I would play Baltray (Co Louth) over Corballis for sure - based on your drive up to Ballyliffin, you are going up towards Drougheda as it is.   You will enjoy it more. It is not going to be too tough - and you could play up a box.  It's just a much better course and I feel you will be happier.  If you were doing a 36 day, for example, I would have said add Corballis....but not if it is your only round that day.  If your making the trip, might as well play as good as possible a course.  Enjoy.!!

 

When you are in Newcastle to play Country Down - head down the main street to Great Jones Craft and Kitchen....smoked salmon chowder is the best (hopefully they have it the day you are there).  Good beers and good food.  Plus the folks are great.

 

 

Good insight.  One thing I will mention is that 36 holes in a day are not an option.  We have 7-8 days of golf and all will be 60 years old by the time of the trip. 

[El Gringo]

Considering the all night flight and drive to Ballyliffin, Corballis may be the better option if it is a weekday. It is a very short course and quick to play. It's enough to stretch the legs and get back on the road. That said, if you don't care for funky, whimsical design, give Corballis a miss. I tend to gravitate toward the unusual and Corballis is certainly that. 

 

I like The Island more than Baltray and think it is the better course (haven't seen the very recent changes), but it is very difficult. Baltray is easier and does have a charm about it that The Island lacks. It might be the better way to end a trip. Plus it has dormy rooms. 

 

It's hard to go wrong with any of the courses you are considering. 

[hammergolf]

6 hours ago, El Gringo said:

Considering the all night flight and drive to Ballyliffin, Corballis may be the better option if it is a weekday. It is a very short course and quick to play. It's enough to stretch the legs and get back on the road. That said, if you don't care for funky, whimsical design, give Corballis a miss. I tend to gravitate toward the unusual and Corballis is certainly that. 

 

I like The Island more than Baltray and think it is the better course (haven't seen the very recent changes), but it is very difficult. Baltray is easier and does have a charm about it that The Island lacks. It might be the better way to end a trip. Plus it has dormy rooms. 

 

It's hard to go wrong with any of the courses you are considering. 

My group isn't driving up the coast. We are staying in Dublin for a few days, then driving over to pick up the rest of our guys in Shannon and playing Doonbeg, Lahinch, Ballybunion, and Tralee. We just want somewhere to play after we land (preferrably links) that won't beat us up after the overnight flight. I looked at playing The Island twice, or maybe Royal Dublin first, then Island.  

[El Gringo]

9 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

My group isn't driving up the coast. We are staying in Dublin for a few days, then driving over to pick up the rest of our guys in Shannon and playing Doonbeg, Lahinch, Ballybunion, and Tralee. We just want somewhere to play after we land (preferrably links) that won't beat us up after the overnight flight. I looked at playing The Island twice, or maybe Royal Dublin first, then Island.  

If you are hangin about Dublin The Island is a good choice. So is Portmarnock. Portmarnock Links is good as well. I prefer Corballis to these because it's cheap, has a ton of character and is quick to play. But if you don't like funky golf stay away from Corballis. 

[Schley]

I'd mix in Portmarnock as opposed to 2 plays at the Island and make it 1/1.

[Chigolfer2]

We played the Island on our First trip to Ireland so thinking Portmanock.  Now going in June.  

[stanford88]

Just played port marnock and the island 3 weeks ago.  Both were great. Can’t go wrong with either. I have them rated similarly. 

[Chigolfer2]

Looks like we are going to stay most of the trip in Portrush as our base.  Question. 

Is Ballyliffin (Glashedy) worth the 1.5 hour drive as part of a day trip?  Is it 1.5 hours or really much longer?  

[Chanceman]

2 hours ago, Chigolfer2 said:

Looks like we are going to stay most of the trip in Portrush as our base.  Question. 

Is Ballyliffin (Glashedy) worth the 1.5 hour drive as part of a day trip?  Is it 1.5 hours or really much longer?  

Yes I would say it's worth the trip. But go via the ferry which is very smooth and might save a little time through Derry. Time is about the 90 minutes.

[puttnforthe8]

On 11/4/2021 at 3:17 PM, Chanceman said:

Yes I would say it's worth the trip. But go via the ferry which is very smooth and might save a little time through Derry. Time is about the 90 minutes.

2nd for "worth it";  Either way is going to be close to 1.5 hrs.

 

Some decent options for your consideration:  Roe Park is a good inland course and North West is a decent (but easier) course.

[Chigolfer2]

The trip is coming and we are making final plans.  We had been shout out of Royal County Down but good news we are in.  Now we have to juggle things a bit.... Right now:

Saturday: Ardglass

Sunday: TBD

Monday: Portstewart

Tuesday: Portrush (Duneluce) 

Wed: Open day or ?

Thursday: Royal County Down. 

Friday: Baltray

 

Question.  We need a Sunday round.  Any preferences.   

RCD Annesley

Castlerock (Mussenden) 

Portrush Valley

Drive to Ballyliffin.  Good responses in previous threads.  

Other

 

This could also apply to the Wed round for those that want to play vs sit out a day and get ready for RCD.  

[Bargegolf]

Castlerock is a beast. You have to keep it in play. Off the fairway…sayonara…

[Chigolfer2]

3 hours ago, Bargegolf said:

Castlerock is a beast. You have to keep it in play. Off the fairway…sayonara…

Even more penal off the fairway than the others on my list?  I hear RCD is a beast of beasts 

[puttnforthe8]

8 hours ago, Chigolfer2 said:

The trip is coming and we are making final plans.  We had been shout out of Royal County Down but good news we are in.  Now we have to juggle things a bit.... Right now:

Saturday: Ardglass

Sunday: TBD

Monday: Portstewart

Tuesday: Portrush (Duneluce) 

Wed: Open day or ?

Thursday: Royal County Down. 

Friday: Baltray

 

Question.  We need a Sunday round.  Any preferences.   

RCD Annesley

Castlerock (Mussenden) 

Portrush Valley

Drive to Ballyliffin.  Good responses in previous threads.  

Other

 

This could also apply to the Wed round for those that want to play vs sit out a day and get ready for RCD.  

 

Wed would be a good day for PR Valley.

 

For Sunday - Might as well do Ballyliffin - you are there; what's 90 minutes...I personally would never let 90 min stand in the way of playing it.  Plus the area in general is a great trip/views.

 

[Bargegolf]

Haven’t played the others, sorry. Perhaps someone can chime in.

[hammergolf]

On 3/3/2022 at 8:15 AM, Chigolfer2 said:

The trip is coming and we are making final plans.  We had been shout out of Royal County Down but good news we are in.  Now we have to juggle things a bit.... Right now:

Saturday: Ardglass

Sunday: TBD

Monday: Portstewart

Tuesday: Portrush (Duneluce) 

Wed: Open day or ?

Thursday: Royal County Down. 

Friday: Baltray

 

Question.  We need a Sunday round.  Any preferences.   

RCD Annesley

Castlerock (Mussenden) 

Portrush Valley

Drive to Ballyliffin.  Good responses in previous threads.  

Other

 

This could also apply to the Wed round for those that want to play vs sit out a day and get ready for RCD.  

Man, great lineup! The drive to ballyliffin and back would be a haul for one of your first few days there, especially considering the drive up from Dublin the day before. When I take my group, I always make sure to build in a late round the second day so the group can rest up and recover from the flight/time change. A short drive and mid afternoon round Sunday at Castlerock may be a better option that early into the trip. Then the guys that want to play Wednesday can make the trip to Ballyliffin.

Edited March 4, 2022 by hammergolf

[Chigolfer2]

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Man, great lineup! The drive to ballyliffin and back would be a haul for one of your first few days there, especially considering the drive up from Dublin the day before. When I take my group, I always make sure to build in a late round the second day so the group can rest up and recover from the flight/time change. A short drive and mid afternoon round Sunday at Castlerock may be a better option that early into the trip. Then the guys that want to play Wednesday can make the trip to Ballyliffin.

That is what we are thinking.  Valley or Castlerock on Sunday and optional drive to Ballyliffin Wednesday for those that want to or day of rest.   Maybe RCD Annesley on Saturday late afternoon since we will be staying close by.  

[hammergolf]

41 minutes ago, Chigolfer2 said:

That is what we are thinking.  Valley or Castlerock on Sunday and optional drive to Ballyliffin Wednesday for those that want to or day of rest.   Maybe RCD Annesley on Saturday late afternoon since we will be staying close by.  

Only advice I can give you is don’t try to do too much the first couple days. 

[Chigolfer2]

3 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Only advice I can give you is don’t try to do too much the first couple days. 

Trust me I know.  This is our 4th Ireland / Scotland trip and we get older every year.   That is why we snuck in the probable off day.  

[hammergolf]

Just now, Chigolfer2 said:

Trust me I know.  This is our 4th Ireland / Scotland trip and we get older every year.   That is why we snuck in the probable off day.  

👍

[Chigolfer2]

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

👍

Hammer give me your advice on Portrush Valley vs Castlerock.  

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, Chigolfer2 said:

Hammer give me your advice on Portrush Valley vs Castlerock.  

Definitely I prefer Castlerock but it’s a tough test so that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The Valley is the easier of the two and is a good one and worth playing, but if I could only play one it would be Castlerock.