2022 West of Ireland Trip

[ajgoodal.704]

Like many of you, our (my father, brother, uncle and myself) June 2022 journey to the Emerald Isle was originally set for June 2021.  Unfortunately, Covid restrictions kept us away for a year, but the wait was well worth it.  We experienced the best and the worst of the Wild Atlantic Way and cannot wait to do it again.  Our itinerary was: 

 

Saturday PM - Castle Dargan Estate

Sunday PM - Strandhill Golf Club

Monday AM - County Sligo Golf Club (Championship Links)

Tuesday AM - Enniscrone Golf Links (Dunes)

Wednesday - Carne Golf Links (Hackett 18) and (Kilmore 9) -->  Washed out and ended up at Ballinrobe Golf Club

Thursday PM - Galway Bay Golf Resort

Friday PM - Lahinch Golf Club (Old)

Saturday PM - Doonbeg Golf Links

 

The first half of the week Saturday thru Tuesday was everything you would hope for in a golf trip to Ireland.  Temperatures in the mid 60s and a light breeze (1-2 clubs).  What I'd like to call 'happy weather'.  The second half of the week we got to experience what Mother Atlantic is like when she is angry, which ended up costing us our 27 hole day at Carne.  Playing in wind is fine.  Playing in rain is fine, but playing in 35-50mph winds with sideways rain was more than we were up for.  With no end of the lashing rain in sight, we ended up driving south away from it and battled it out in the wind at Ballinrobe that day.  It wasn't Carne, but it was a beautiful parkland and for 30 euros it was a good deal.  From Wednesday morning till Sunday morning the wind never let up.  I learned to hit shots that I'd never hit back here in the states and putted balls up slopes that I never dreamed possible.  It was an adventure to say the least.  Not one that I would want to partake in everyday, but it wouldn't be a West of Ireland trip without some wind stories.  It has also been an adventure trying to get my regular swing back with my irons since I've been home, but I digress.  Now the fun part, ranking the courses:  

 

1) Lahinch Golf Club (Old) - I played Lahinch back in 2019 in some pretty strong wind and showers and was really hoping to get to play it in more benign weather this time.  Unfortunately that wasn't the case, with the exception that the sun shined the entire round.  35-50mph westerly winds made for a lot of crosswind holes and a couple holes out to the ocean that were just about as hard as anything you could ever play.  Our caddies all agreed that Number 6 might have played the hardest they've ever seen it that day.  I bogeyed the hole and it felt like one of the best birdies I've ever made.  Regardless of the weather, Lahinch is extremely fun to play and will always make the itinerary when I'm in that part of Ireland.  Don't miss the fish n' chips in the restaurant afterwards.  They were the best ones I had all week.  

 

 

 

 

2) Enniscrone Golf Links - Our day at Enniscrone was one of the best days on the golf course I've ever had and it wasn't because I was shooting lights out.  Maybe it was because it was supposed to rain and the sun came out instead.  Maybe it was because I finally got over food poisoning from Sunday night.  It probably is a combination of those and the fact that its an incredible golf course with a great deal of variety.  You weave your way through the dunes early on, come out into what looks like boring flat land only to find some incredible green complexes and finish through a roller coaster of dunes.  I think what I enjoyed most about Enniscrone the golf course was the order of the layout.  Big dune golf, more traditional links, big dune golf.  I would love another crack at Enniscrone because there were a few holes that I know I'd play differently and probably better.  Also, I'd make sure my short game was sharper because you really need it.  It gives you plenty of room off the tee IMO, but you really have to be confident in your inside 50 game to make a score.   Finish all this off with a Guinness, excellent seafood chowder and some goodies from the pro shop and it really was a day to remember.  And those quotes on all the benches.......  

 

 

 

 

 

3) County Sligo Golf Club - Just a damn good golf course in an incredible setting.  It doesn't have the big dunes of the first two, but the layout and conditioning are top notch.  The members were very friendly, pace of play was very good and it was just another enjoyable day (even while I was recuperating from a bad burger the night before).   I think anyone who wants to get away from the high traffic links courses of the southwest, should really consider a trip with County Sligo, Enniscrone and Carne as the anchors.  

 

 

 

4) Galway Bay Golf Resort - Not a links course, but it was excellent.  Just like County Sligo, the layout and conditioning are top notch.  The weather conditions were tough (25-40mph winds), but we all really enjoyed ourselves.  We laugh now because we didn't think it could get any windier than it was on the back 9 at Galway Bay, but we were definitely wrong.  In addition to the golf, the staff were first class and the restaurant was excellent.  I absolutely love their new logo and wish I had bought a few more things from the pro shop.  My only complaint is the excessive amount of speed bumps on the drive into the course.  There had to have been 15-20 of them.  

 

 

 

5) Strandhill Golf Club - I would not miss out on a round at Strandhill.  It was a great opening links round and I found it to be a really good bang for the buck.  The setting under Knocknarea is beautiful and there are a good number of holes you'll not forget.  I'd really love another crack at the 14th knowing now where to hit that blind tee shot.  

 

 

 

 

 

6) Ballinrobe Golf Club - Just a good solid parkland course.  Definitely deserves its spot in the Top 100 in Ireland.  The conditioning was excellent.  I would highly recommend a round here if you need an inexpensive jet-lag round or just something to break up your links journey.  Also, Cong is close by for Quiet Man fans and the excellent Lydon's restaurant.  Best seafood chowder of the week!  

 

 

 

7) Castle Dargan Estate - We enjoyed our round at Castle Dargan and really have nothing bad to say about it.  It's just a matter of being in a list full of really good courses.  My only advice is to take a buggy.  This was by far the toughest walk of the week, especially after coming off the plane.  

 

 

 

N/A) Doonbeg Golf Links - After the battering we took the previous few days, my brother and I decided to spend our last afternoon enjoying the pubs and shops in Lahinch.  My Dad and Uncle did make the trip down to Doonbeg and really enjoyed it.  They both rated it after Lahinch and Enniscrone.  We had gotten the twilight rate of 95 euros which made it a really good value.  Neither thought it was worth the 300 euro rack rate though.  I do kick myself for not playing it with them, but my brother and I did have a good time in Lahinch.  Great little town to just relax with a beverage and enjoy the craic.  

 

Last but not least I would like to say how great all our hosts (bed & breakfasts) were that week.  Hotels are nice, but IMO nothing beats a good bed & breakfast in Ireland.  Benbulben Farmhouse (Ian & Marita) and Corrib View Lodge (Larry & Michelle) in particular were phenomenal.  If you've made it this far into my post, thanks!!  

 

Edited June 24, 2022 by ajgoodal.704

[puttnforthe8]

Awesome!  I love reading these.

 

I mentioned it in the other post - Enniscrone was one of my most favorite - before I had a car, I lugged my clubs on the train 2+ times a month to play it.  I think your description of the way the 'walk' goes is what always enamored me the most!   It's the 'darkness before the light' kind of feeling...but all positive.

 

 

[hammergolf]

Great trip! Thanks for the report and pictures. I’m 91 days out for our trip to the Sligo area. Wow, Ballinrobe looks great, and only €30 is a steal. Too bad you missed Carne. I’ll post reports and pics on my trip. 

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

Awesome!  I love reading these.

 

I mentioned it in the other post - Enniscrone was one of my most favorite - before I had a car, I lugged my clubs on the train 2+ times a month to play it.  I think your description of the way the 'walk' goes is what always enamored me the most!   It's the 'darkness before the light' kind of feeling...but all positive.

 

 

I’m looking forward to Enniscrone. By looking at the videos and pics it simply looks amazing…

[ajgoodal.704]

On 6/24/2022 at 5:01 PM, hammergolf said:

I’m looking forward to Enniscrone. By looking at the videos and pics it simply looks amazing…

I'm going to try really hard to convince my wife to let me go back next summer to tackle Carne.  If so, I won't be skipping another round at Enniscrone.  I'd love to be a member there.  

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, ajgoodal.704 said:

I'm going to try really hard to convince my wife to let me go back next summer to tackle Carne.  If so, I won't be skipping another round at Enniscrone.  I'd love to be a member there.  

I’ll be sure to take pics and give a good review when I get back.

[Chanceman]

I surely can empathise with you about Carne. That is a really amazing golf course. I did somehow play the whole Hackett 18 and at one stage because I could barely see because of the rain I got lost and found myself playing a few holes on the Kilmore 9. Overall Carne has to be possibly the most literally incredible golf course on earth. You have to go back someday and finish the job.

[ajgoodal.704]

4 hours ago, Chanceman said:

I surely can empathise with you about Carne. That is a really amazing golf course. I did somehow play the whole Hackett 18 and at one stage because I could barely see because of the rain I got lost and found myself playing a few holes on the Kilmore 9. Overall Carne has to be possibly the most literally incredible golf course on earth. You have to go back someday and finish the job.

The plan is to go back and spend a few days in Mayo, so we can play the Hackett 18, Wild Atlantic Dunes 18 and maybe a couple of 9 hole rounds.  My preference going forward is to not play a different course each day, but to play the special ones twice.  There are way too many nuances for just one crack.  

[Chanceman]

1 hour ago, ajgoodal.704 said:

The plan is to go back and spend a few days in Mayo, so we can play the Hackett 18, Wild Atlantic Dunes 18 and maybe a couple of 9 hole rounds.  My preference going forward is to not play a different course each day, but to play the special ones twice.  There are way too many nuances for just one crack.  

Totally agree on that but it’s hard to do!

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, ajgoodal.704 said:

The plan is to go back and spend a few days in Mayo, so we can play the Hackett 18, Wild Atlantic Dunes 18 and maybe a couple of 9 hole rounds.  My preference going forward is to not play a different course each day, but to play the special ones twice.  There are way too many nuances for just one crack.  

We did the play twice on our trip last year for the first time. Seemed like most of guys in the group enjoyed it more than our normal 7 courses in 7 days format.

[ajgoodal.704]

21 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Totally agree on that but it’s hard to do!

Most definitely!  The next trip I do with my Dad, Uncle and Brother to Donegal/NI in 2024 doesn't leave much room to do multiple rounds as much as I'd love to do it.  Time might afford us an extra round on St. Patrick's and possibly Portstewart or Ardglass.   The west of Ireland revisit with my son will be a different story.  He is so enamored with the big dunes, we could probably spend the whole week at Carne.  

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, ajgoodal.704 said:

Most definitely!  The next trip I do with my Dad, Uncle and Brother to Donegal/NI in 2024 doesn't leave much room to do multiple rounds as much as I'd love to do it.  Time might afford us an extra round on St. Patrick's and possibly Portstewart or Ardglass.   The west of Ireland revisit with my son will be a different story.  He is so enamored with the big dunes, we could probably spend the whole week at Carne.  

I’m like your son, I’m just in awe and fascinated with playing golf in and through the dunes. 

Edited June 30, 2022 by hammergolf

[hammergolf]

Did any of you guys have the baggage nightmares flying into Dublin or Shannon that I’m reading about in the Scotland travel threads? 

[hammergolf]

On 6/24/2022 at 9:22 AM, ajgoodal.704 said:

Like many of you, our (my father, brother, uncle and myself) June 2022 journey to the Emerald Isle was originally set for June 2021.  Unfortunately, Covid restrictions kept us away for a year, but the wait was well worth it.  We experienced the best and the worst of the Wild Atlantic Way and cannot wait to do it again.  Our itinerary was: 

 

Saturday PM - Castle Dargan Estate

Sunday PM - Strandhill Golf Club

Monday AM - County Sligo Golf Club (Championship Links)

Tuesday AM - Enniscrone Golf Links (Dunes)

Wednesday - Carne Golf Links (Hackett 18) and (Kilmore 9) -->  Washed out and ended up at Ballinrobe Golf Club

Thursday PM - Galway Bay Golf Resort

Friday PM - Lahinch Golf Club (Old)

Saturday PM - Doonbeg Golf Links

 

The first half of the week Saturday thru Tuesday was everything you would hope for in a golf trip to Ireland.  Temperatures in the mid 60s and a light breeze (1-2 clubs).  What I'd like to call 'happy weather'.  The second half of the week we got to experience what Mother Atlantic is like when she is angry, which ended up costing us our 27 hole day at Carne.  Playing in wind is fine.  Playing in rain is fine, but playing in 35-50mph winds with sideways rain was more than we were up for.  With no end of the lashing rain in sight, we ended up driving south away from it and battled it out in the wind at Ballinrobe that day.  It wasn't Carne, but it was a beautiful parkland and for 30 euros it was a good deal.  From Wednesday morning till Sunday morning the wind never let up.  I learned to hit shots that I'd never hit back here in the states and putted balls up slopes that I never dreamed possible.  It was an adventure to say the least.  Not one that I would want to partake in everyday, but it wouldn't be a West of Ireland trip without some wind stories.  It has also been an adventure trying to get my regular swing back with my irons since I've been home, but I digress.  Now the fun part, ranking the courses:  

 

1) Lahinch Golf Club (Old) - I played Lahinch back in 2019 in some pretty strong wind and showers and was really hoping to get to play it in more benign weather this time.  Unfortunately that wasn't the case, with the exception that the sun shined the entire round.  35-50mph westerly winds made for a lot of crosswind holes and a couple holes out to the ocean that were just about as hard as anything you could ever play.  Our caddies all agreed that Number 6 might have played the hardest they've ever seen it that day.  I bogeyed the hole and it felt like one of the best birdies I've ever made.  Regardless of the weather, Lahinch is extremely fun to play and will always make the itinerary when I'm in that part of Ireland.  Don't miss the fish n' chips in the restaurant afterwards.  They were the best ones I had all week.  

 

 

 

 

2) Enniscrone Golf Links - Our day at Enniscrone was one of the best days on the golf course I've ever had and it wasn't because I was shooting lights out.  Maybe it was because it was supposed to rain and the sun came out instead.  Maybe it was because I finally got over food poisoning from Sunday night.  It probably is a combination of those and the fact that its an incredible golf course with a great deal of variety.  You weave your way through the dunes early on, come out into what looks like boring flat land only to find some incredible green complexes and finish through a roller coaster of dunes.  I think what I enjoyed most about Enniscrone the golf course was the order of the layout.  Big dune golf, more traditional links, big dune golf.  I would love another crack at Enniscrone because there were a few holes that I know I'd play differently and probably better.  Also, I'd make sure my short game was sharper because you really need it.  It gives you plenty of room off the tee IMO, but you really have to be confident in your inside 50 game to make a score.   Finish all this off with a Guinness, excellent seafood chowder and some goodies from the pro shop and it really was a day to remember.  And those quotes on all the benches.......  

 

 

 

 

 

3) County Sligo Golf Club - Just a damn good golf course in an incredible setting.  It doesn't have the big dunes of the first two, but the layout and conditioning are top notch.  The members were very friendly, pace of play was very good and it was just another enjoyable day (even while I was recuperating from a bad burger the night before).   I think anyone who wants to get away from the high traffic links courses of the southwest, should really consider a trip with County Sligo, Enniscrone and Carne as the anchors.  

 

 

 

4) Galway Bay Golf Resort - Not a links course, but it was excellent.  Just like County Sligo, the layout and conditioning are top notch.  The weather conditions were tough (25-40mph winds), but we all really enjoyed ourselves.  We laugh now because we didn't think it could get any windier than it was on the back 9 at Galway Bay, but we were definitely wrong.  In addition to the golf, the staff were first class and the restaurant was excellent.  I absolutely love their new logo and wish I had bought a few more things from the pro shop.  My only complaint is the excessive amount of speed bumps on the drive into the course.  There had to have been 15-20 of them.  

 

 

 

5) Strandhill Golf Club - I would not miss out on a round at Strandhill.  It was a great opening links round and I found it to be a really good bang for the buck.  The setting under Knocknarea is beautiful and there are a good number of holes you'll not forget.  I'd really love another crack at the 14th knowing now where to hit that blind tee shot.  

 

 

 

 

 

6) Ballinrobe Golf Club - Just a good solid parkland course.  Definitely deserves its spot in the Top 100 in Ireland.  The conditioning was excellent.  I would highly recommend a round here if you need an inexpensive jet-lag round or just something to break up your links journey.  Also, Cong is close by for Quiet Man fans and the excellent Lydon's restaurant.  Best seafood chowder of the week!  

 

 

 

7) Castle Dargan Estate - We enjoyed our round at Castle Dargan and really have nothing bad to say about it.  It's just a matter of being in a list full of really good courses.  My only advice is to take a buggy.  This was by far the toughest walk of the week, especially after coming off the plane.  

 

 

 

N/A) Doonbeg Golf Links - After the battering we took the previous few days, my brother and I decided to spend our last afternoon enjoying the pubs and shops in Lahinch.  My Dad and Uncle did make the trip down to Doonbeg and really enjoyed it.  They both rated it after Lahinch and Enniscrone.  We had gotten the twilight rate of 95 euros which made it a really good value.  Neither thought it was worth the 300 euro rack rate though.  I do kick myself for not playing it with them, but my brother and I did have a good time in Lahinch.  Great little town to just relax with a beverage and enjoy the craic.  

 

Last but not least I would like to say how great all our hosts (bed & breakfasts) were that week.  Hotels are nice, but IMO nothing beats a good bed & breakfast in Ireland.  Benbulben Farmhouse (Ian & Marita) and Corrib View Lodge (Larry & Michelle) in particular were phenomenal.  If you've made it this far into my post, thanks!!  

 

Did you guys have any issues with your baggage? Reading nightmares from the guys who went to Scotland and connected through London.

[puttnforthe8]

1 hour ago, hammergolf said:

Did you guys have any issues with your baggage? Reading nightmares from the guys who went to Scotland and connected through London.

Over 50 trips across Europe and have never had an issue.

 

That being said, you do have to think that the airlines are suffering badly for employees in every arena.  Baggage carriers probably gave a huge fu over the last few years; the likelihood of errors at airlines probably went up exponentially.

[hammergolf]

Yes, I’m the same. I’ve never had an issue with baggage when traveling abroad, but I tend to try and inky take direct flights.

[ajgoodal.704]

On 7/2/2022 at 7:08 PM, hammergolf said:

Did you guys have any issues with your baggage? Reading nightmares from the guys who went to Scotland and connected through London.

We flew direct from JFK to Shannon on Aer Lingus and didn't have any luggage issues.  I drove from NC to NY to fly direct with the rest of my family to avoid as many connection, luggage issues as possible.  

[hammergolf]

13 minutes ago, ajgoodal.704 said:

We flew direct from JFK to Shannon on Aer Lingus and didn't have any luggage issues.  I drove from NC to NY to fly direct with the rest of my family to avoid as many connection, luggage issues as possible.  

Thanks. Honestly, I really prefer Aer Lingus to our domestic carriers. I’ve found service and everything else was much better.

[Chanceman]

On 7/6/2022 at 3:32 AM, hammergolf said:

Thanks. Honestly, I really prefer Aer Lingus to our domestic carriers. I’ve found service and everything else was much better.

To be sure. But here's a tip - if you ever see Scoot Airlines come up with a cheap flight, do not proceed.

[hammergolf]

5 minutes ago, Chanceman said:

To be sure. But here's a tip - if you ever see Scoot Airlines come up with a cheap flight, do not proceed.

Learned that lesson a long time ago. I only book through the airline.