NW Ireland 2024 Itinerary

[dpdm03]

We did Northern Ireland a few years ago and now are in the middle of planning a trip to W/NW Ireland for next September. 

 

I've done a fair amount of research and have the following itinerary.

 

Day 1 - Arrive into Dublin, play Portmarnock or County Louth. Drive to Rosapenna

Day 2 - AM round at St. Patricks, Optional PM replay at St. Patricks (or Old Tom Morris?)  Stay Rosapenna

Day 3 - 9 Holes Cruit Island, Afternoon round Narin and Portnoo.  Stay in Sligo

Day 4 - AM Round County Sligo, Optional PM round Strandhill. Stay in Sligo

Day 5 - AM Round Enniscrone, Optional 9 holes Scurmore course, Stay near Enniscrone

Day 6 - Carne (27 Holes), Stay near Enniscrone

Day 7 - Depart AM for DUB airport

 

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on our initial itinerary?

 

[El Gringo]

1 hour ago, dpdm03 said:

We did Northern Ireland a few years ago and now are in the middle of planning a trip to W/NW Ireland for next September. 

 

I've done a fair amount of research and have the following itinerary.

 

Day 1 - Arrive into Dublin, play Portmarnock or County Louth. Drive to Rosapenna

Day 2 - AM round at St. Patricks, Optional PM replay at St. Patricks (or Old Tom Morris?)  Stay Rosapenna

Day 3 - 9 Holes Cruit Island, Afternoon round Narin and Portnoo.  Stay in Sligo

Day 4 - AM Round County Sligo, Optional PM round Strandhill. Stay in Sligo

Day 5 - AM Round Enniscrone, Optional 9 holes Scurmore course, Stay near Enniscrone

Day 6 - Carne (27 Holes), Stay near Enniscrone

Day 7 - Depart AM for DUB airport

 

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on our initial itinerary?

 

My suggestion 

 

Day 1 Co Louth, Stay Dormy 

 

Day 2 St Pat's, Stay Rosa 

 

Day 3 Cruit and N&P, Stay Rosa

 

Day 4 Portsalon and OTM, Stay Rosa

 

Day 5 Sandy Hills and Otway, Stay Rosa

 

Day 6 Portmarnock 

 

Save the other courses for a future, more compact trip. 

 

If Rosa doesn't offer a good deal look for another hotel or house/flat. 

 

[hammergolf]

Great courses, but that’s a hell of a long day for Day 1 after an overnight flight, then a round of golf, then driving an additional 3.5 hrs after your round. I made a similar trip last October, and here is what I would recommend.

 

Day 1 Arrive in Dublin Drive to Slieve Russell (1.5hrs) play the course, really great parkland course and great resort that is very reasonably priced. Stay the night at the resort.

https://www.slieverussell.ie/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk6Cu_bj-gAMVfTbUAR0veg2KEAAYASAAEgLMfPD_BwE

Day 2 Drive to Rosapenna (2.5hrs) play St. Pats. It’s a long walk so plan accordingly if you play Old Tom. Stay the night there

Day 3 Drive to Cruit Island (2hrs) play the course then drive to Narin & Portnoo (45mins) play then drive to Ardara (15mins) stay the night.

Day 4 Drive to Murvagh (40mins) play Donegal GC (much better course than Strandhill) then drive to Rosses Point (50mins) play the course then stay in Sligo

Day 5 Drive to Enniscrone (1hr) play 2 rounds at Enniscrone Dunes, trust me you’ll want another round after you finish the first round. Drive to Ballina (15mins) stay the night

Day 6 Drive to Carne (1hr) play heaven in earth!!!! Drive to Sligo (2hrs) stay the night

Day 7 Drive to Dublin Airport (2.5hrs) depart.

 

‘’I’ve played all the courses on your list, so if you have any questions I’ll be happy to help.

[ajgoodal.704]

Great itinerary.  We are doing one very similar but in reverse.  I agree with Hammer about Day 1.  Get yourself closer to your final destination before unpacking the sticks.  You have 2 absolute parkland gems on the way to Donegal in Slieve Russell and Lough Erne.  You can stay and play at either or play and move on.  Not sure its completely necessary to stay at Rosapenna if you only plan on spending one day there.  You could stay near Ardara/Glenties for a couple of nights.  Day 4 is just a really fun day of golf no matter which way you choose to go.  County Sligo is just great golf and I'm a big fan of Strandhill.  Try this on for size: 

 

Day 1 - Arrive DUB, travel North to Slieve Russell or Lough Erne, Overnight in Ardara/Glenties

Day 2 - St. Patrick's AM, Cruit Island (9) PM

Day 3 - Narin & Portnoo AM, Slieve League Cliffs PM

Day 4 - County Sligo AM, Strandhill PM (Optional), Overnight in Enniscrone/Ballina

Day 5 - Carne (27), Try to see Downpatrick Head on the way back, bring a 9 iron and hit a few balls out there (Really fun!) 

Day 6 - Enniscrone, Overnight closer to Dublin

Day 7 - Depart DUB

[sabram]

11 hours ago, dpdm03 said:

We did Northern Ireland a few years ago and now are in the middle of planning a trip to W/NW Ireland for next September. 

 

I've done a fair amount of research and have the following itinerary.

 

Day 1 - Arrive into Dublin, play Portmarnock or County Louth. Drive to Rosapenna

Day 2 - AM round at St. Patricks, Optional PM replay at St. Patricks (or Old Tom Morris?)  Stay Rosapenna

Day 3 - 9 Holes Cruit Island, Afternoon round Narin and Portnoo.  Stay in Sligo

Day 4 - AM Round County Sligo, Optional PM round Strandhill. Stay in Sligo

Day 5 - AM Round Enniscrone, Optional 9 holes Scurmore course, Stay near Enniscrone

Day 6 - Carne (27 Holes), Stay near Enniscrone

Day 7 - Depart AM for DUB airport

 

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on our initial itinerary?

 

I like all the courses on your list, but it is a lot of driving.

 

If you stay in Enniscrone. I'd recommend the Waterfront House for your lodging. Second choice is Eagle Heights B&B which is a small, friendly B&B across the road from the golf course

[dpdm03]

2 hours ago, ajgoodal.704 said:

Great itinerary.  We are doing one very similar but in reverse.  I agree with Hammer about Day 1.  Get yourself closer to your final destination before unpacking the sticks.  You have 2 absolute parkland gems on the way to Donegal in Slieve Russell and Lough Erne.  You can stay and play at either or play and move on.  Not sure its completely necessary to stay at Rosapenna if you only plan on spending one day there.  You could stay near Ardara/Glenties for a couple of nights.  Day 4 is just a really fun day of golf no matter which way you choose to go.  County Sligo is just great golf and I'm a big fan of Strandhill.  Try this on for size: 

 

Day 1 - Arrive DUB, travel North to Slieve Russell or Lough Erne, Overnight in Ardara/Glenties

Day 2 - St. Patrick's AM, Cruit Island (9) PM

Day 3 - Narin & Portnoo AM, Slieve League Cliffs PM

Day 4 - County Sligo AM, Strandhill PM (Optional), Overnight in Enniscrone/Ballina

Day 5 - Carne (27), Try to see Downpatrick Head on the way back, bring a 9 iron and hit a few balls out there (Really fun!) 

Day 6 - Enniscrone, Overnight closer to Dublin

Day 7 - Depart DUB

 

I looked up Downpatrick head.  I could see that being fun!

 

Slieve Russel and Lough Erne look amazing, unfortunately we are going with a bunch of links junkies and I dont think i could sell those.  

 

 

 

[ajgoodal.704]

2 hours ago, dpdm03 said:

 

I looked up Downpatrick head.  I could see that being fun!

 

Slieve Russel and Lough Erne look amazing, unfortunately we are going with a bunch of links junkies and I dont think i could sell those.  

 

 

 

Donegal is about 3 hours from Dublin Airport.  If you can't sell them on either of those two, you could start with Donegal.  We are using it as a bridge round between County Mayo and County Donegal, but it could certainly work as a starter for you.  Donegal, St. Patrick's, Narin & Portnoo, Cruit Island, County Sligo, Strandhill, Carne and Enniscrone is a hell of a trip. 

[El Gringo]

Ireland is geographically small, but golf rich. It's a shame to add windshield time when that time could be used more effectively. Think of Ireland as at least four trips and it begins to make sense. Donegal is a great part of the world...much better than the seat of a car. 

Edited August 28, 2023 by El Gringo

[hammergolf]

5 hours ago, dpdm03 said:

 

I looked up Downpatrick head.  I could see that being fun!

 

Slieve Russel and Lough Erne look amazing, unfortunately we are going with a bunch of links junkies and I dont think i could sell those.  

 

 

 

If that’s the case, play The Island, Baltray, or Portmarnock near the airport then drive to Slieve Russel and stay the night. Driving another 3+ hours after an overnight flight and a round golf walking won’t be fun.

[dpdm03]

59 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

Ireland is geographically small, but golf rich. It's a shame to add windshield time when that time could be used more effectively. Think of Ireland as at least four trips and it begins to make sense. Donegal is a great part of the world...much better than the seat of a car. 

This is really good food for thought. 

[Chanceman]

+1 for Donegal. Tough links course but a good bridge between the NW courses and Sligo-Enniscrone-Carne.

[hammergolf]

3 hours ago, Chanceman said:

+1 for Donegal. Tough links course but a good bridge between the NW courses and Sligo-Enniscrone-Carne.

No doubt, I would play Donegal over Strandhill every day of the week. 

[jhipps]

Just got back from an awesome trip over there and played a few you are thinking about. Carne is a total adventure and absolutely worth it. Get a caddy and it'll probably be a local kid or member, which is a great experience. County Sligo is lovely. Ask for an electric trolley at Co Sligo as it's more up and down than you think.

 

One thing I'll add- Dublin is a totally happening place and loads of fun. We stayed at The Mont near Trinity College and loved our time. The Island is wonderful and do not miss Portmarnock, a truly proper links test and one of our favorites. Did not have a ton of expectations for it, and it was great. Fantastic green complexes reminded me of Dornoch. I wish I had another go at Portmarnock without the jetlag...